By Patti G.
I’m not a betting person, but if I was, I‘d wager that when the vast majority of people think about musicals, it‘s warm, fuzzy, feel-good romantic comedies which come to their mind. Rarely, does anyone expect a meaty, hard-hitting, incredibly-acted drama to fall within the musical genre. Yet, with 1950's Young Man with a Horn that is exactly what we get—a powerful drama, brilliant acting, and terrific music, all without one bit of fluff. Starring Kirk Douglas, Lauren Bacall, and Doris Day, this Michael Curtiz-directed film is not only loaded with music, it has a riveting plot brought to life through sensational acting, especially that of Kirk Douglas. Featuring Hoagy Carmichael and Juano Hernandez in supporting
roles, Young Man with a Horn is easily a 4-star, ―like it a lot‖ film for me. Rather neglected by the older sister who has been raising him since his mother died, little Rick Martin (Orley Lindgren) finds what he's looking for in music. Fascinated by the piano in a local mission church, Rick teaches himself to play by ear. Before long, though, needing a more affordable instrument (and, unlike the piano, one he can carry with him), he transfers his interest to the trumpet; under the tutelage of blues musician, Art Hazzard (Juano Hernandez), Rick quickly masters the beautiful brass piece. As the years go by and young Rick becomes a man (Douglas), his love for music becomes his all in all. He's a passionate, intense man, not