With another actor in the title role, Pete Kelly's Blues might have been a compelling, memorable little film. Not a classic, mind you, for the Richard Breen screenplay too often gives us the familiar and comfortable rather than the fresh and exciting, but it's good enough to have provided the basis for a small little gem. Jack Webb's direction is actually good; at all times solid, it sometimes moves beyond that to show imagination and creativity, and it's quite successful at creating and maintaining atmosphere throughout. (Credit certainly must be shared with cinematographer Harold Hal Rosson for his role in making the film so evocative.) Director Webb also pulls some fine performances from a believably pushy Janet Leigh, a wary but determined Lee Marvin, and above all from a heartbreaking Peggy Lee. And there's no faulting the musical portions of the film, especially a couple of magical Ella Fitzgerald moments. But, unfortunately, Webb the director can't do anything with Webb the actor. He simply is lacking in the role -- charisma, depth, personality, even an understanding of what the character is all about. This naturally leaves a giant hole in the middle of the film. It's a tribute to the film's other strengths that this major flaw isn't fatal -- but it's unfortunate that it brings down an otherwise fine little film.