![]() Late one night, he spots Willie sneaking into Lily's train compartment late Sousa's wife has to defuse his indignation by letting him into the secret. Sousa tours the world, and is honored by the crowned heads of Europe. ![]() The crowd cheers, and Randolph welcomes Sousa. A listing of his song list for the performances includes "Dixie" as every second one. Sousa has his musicians play " Dixie" as they march up, putting the crowd in a cheerful mood. An episode shows Sousa's Band playing at the Atlanta, Georgia Cotton States and International Exposition (1895), despite the attempt by Colonel Randolph ( Finlay Currie) to cancel their contract. A mention in the book that Sousa discouraged the married men in the band from bringing their wives on tour is expanded into a subplot where Willie and Lily get married in secret so they can continue touring together with Sousa. ![]() Sousa forms his band and is very successful. When the police raid the place for indecency (by 1890s standards), the trio barely manage to get away. In fact, it is a music hall, where Willie's girlfriend, Lily Becker ( Debra Paget), is one of the performers. Willie persuades Sousa to go with him to a "concert" where some of Sousa's songs will be performed. As a favor for his splendid service, he is allowed to take along Private Willie Little ( Robert Wagner), who is credited with designing the Sousaphone and naming it after his mentor (in real life, Sousa himself designed the instrument). In the 1890s, Sergeant Major John Philip Sousa, the director of the United States Marine Band, leaves the Marine Corps after his enlistment expires to form his own band because he is not paid enough to provide for his wife Jennie ( Ruth Hussey) and their children. While loosely based on Sousa's autobiography Marching Along, the film takes considerable liberties and dramatic license, often expanding and examining themes and passages in the book.
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