A successful Hollywood melodrama from 1950 with plenty of music on and off screen from the Harry James orchestra, including Willie Smith, Louie Bellson, Juan Tizol, Corky Corcoran and vocals by Doris Day - in a story very loosely based on the life of Bix Beiderbecke.

 Kirk Douglas plays orphaned kid Rick Martin who grows into a talented angst-ridden jazz trumpeter searching for the impossible note while sweet singer Doris Day and weirdo intellectual femme fatale Lauren Bacall vie for his affections. Hoagy Carmichael has a decent part as his friend, pianist “Smoke” Willoughby and though Rick finally succumbs to madness and alcoholism, the film manages an upbeat ending.

 Deluxe collector edition includes a separate CD of the complete soundtrack and photo filled booklet.