Young Man with a Horn [1950]

Jazz pianist Willie 'Smoke' Willoughby recounts the life story of his friend, jazz trumpeter Rick Martin, who Smoke believes may be the most talented musician he's ever known. Rick's intense personality is focused on playing the type of music he wants to play, the way he wants to play it. Rick had an innate sense of music since he was a child, when, left to his own devices by his guardian sister, followed where the music was being played. Smoke met Rick and who would become their mutual friend, vocalist Jo Jordan, while they played together in a dance band. Although there was a mutual attraction between Rick and Jo, Rick would ultimately fall in love with Jo's friend, Amy North, who is equally as intense as Rick but for different reasons. Rick is attracted to Amy's sophistication. Amy, who is a medical student in psychiatry, is attracted to Rick's talent, which she feels she lacks herself as she struggles to find her place in life. Their intensity may be incompatible and may threaten their relationship, which may in turn make Rick try to find his non-musical self through destructive means.