In the Miller biography by George T. Simon it was disclosed that Miller's widow had complete control over that movie. Stewart not only had to pass muster for her, but did you notice the glaring omission of anything about Tex Beneke? Beneke and the Miller estate were feuding at the time about the direction the band was going to take. Beneke wanted more modern music and Miller's widow wanted the band and it's music frozen in 1944 (something Miller never did himself-he was always looking for new innovations and was starting to add instruments like violins before he died. Violins were added to a lot of big band type orchestras a short time later by conductors like Nelson Riddle and Skitch Henerson).

I can't remember if Miller's widow insisted on Stewart or not. I'll look it up when I can.

Thanks for the notes. I have "Glenn Miller and His Orchestra" by George T. Simon (who played drums for Miller for a short time), but I haven't re-read it in years. Amazing that Helen Miller had control over the movie, with all the discrepancies it has. No mention of Marian Hutton either, who said Miller wanted her for his post-war band. BTW, a distant cousin of mine, Jerry Smith, played drums for Tex Beneke. Ever heard of him?

No, sorry. I did work with John Pizzarelli's cousin His cousin had never met John. I always told him the next time John came to town we were going and try to get backstage. Unfortunately the cousin moved back to NY and that never happened.