This trumpet feels essential to who I am, like my finest quality! Young Man With A Horn draws its inspiration from the unfortunate existence of jazz musician Bix Beiderbecke, whose life was marked by tragedy because he died at age 28 due to alcoholism. Rick Martin, portrayed by Kirk Douglas, is a fictional character; the story unfolds through flashbacks recounting Martin's experiences as remembered by pianist Smoke Willoughby (Hoagy Carmichael). The film can be viewed in three distinct sections. The initial portion thoroughly establishes Rick’s passion for music from his youth, and his training under Art Hazzard (Juan Hernandez) develops his personality completely. Then we see the middle period of his life as he connects with Smoke and band singer Jo Jordon (Doris Day, who is lively and appealing). Rick seems content, prioritizing his love of music above other concerns, but Amy North (Lauren Bacall, radiating style) arrives, and the film then transitions into a more overtly dramatic narrative, a shift that proves worthwhile as the credits approach. Michael Curtiz’s direction maintains a strong focus on the unfolding drama, and Ted McCord's cinematography beautifully conveys the atmosphere of smoky jazz clubs. The performances from the main actors are consistently good. Some viewers might struggle to accept Kirk Douglas in the lead, and initially he appears somewhat awkward holding a trumpet, but he received instruction from trumpeter Larry Sullivan and manages to appear believable as a musician (the musical parts were performed by Harry James). Naturally, the music is superb, and if you’re ready for the film's dramatic shift, it offers a satisfying experience. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that this isn’t an accurate depiction of Bix Beiderbecke’s sad life story. 8/10

Source on TMDB