Nat King Cole stars in "St. Louis Blues," a short yet loving tribute to W. C. Handy. Like most Hollywood biopics, I'm sure this film barely scratches the surface of Handy's life and career, but it captures the essence of W.C. Handy, the expression of one's self and heart through music, through song. Despite the pressure to follow his minister father's footsteps, he had to go his own way, even if he was disowned. Juano Hernandez plays his narrow-minded father, who dismisses any music other than plain piano church music. This is a continual theme and plot of the movie. Will W.C. ever get or feel his father's approval? But what makes the film so great in an otherwise straightforward script is the cast and performances involved. Eartha Kitt, as a nightclub singer and a contact Will uses for advancement in his career, gets most of the screen time when Nat is not singing, and they both sing quite differently in their ways, but stop the show equally. Also outstanding is the presence of the great gospel vocalist Mahalia Jackson, who can stir one up with her prayer-like style. And, then there's Ella Fitzgerald who makes a brief appearance as herself who apparently influenced W.C. Handy. And, then there's Cab Calloway, who doesn't get to sing, but adds much as an opportunist who uses W.C. Handy for his own devices. And Ruby Dee is on hand as W.C.'s girlfriend. And, Ruby is really jealous of Eartha. And, lastly, one of my favorites of all time, the inimitable Pearl Bailey, with her sassy self, as W.C.'s aunt. Both Mahalia and Pearl did not sing enough to suit me, but this was about W.C. Handy. For all these people and the sheer talent in one place, you can't get much better. Granted the film is too short, but maybe you can just watch it over and over. "St. Louis Blues" and its stars are worth the trouble to find it. Do it today.
Review of St. Louis Blues
