The story of W. C. Handy, the undisputed father of the blues.The story of W. C. Handy, the undisputed father of the blues.The story of W. C. Handy, the undisputed father of the blues.
C. Bakaleinikoff
- New York Symphony Conductor
- (uncredited)
Bill Baldwin
- Attorney Mawson
- (uncredited)
Milas G. Clark Jr.
- Boy
- (uncredited)
Walt Davis
- Usher
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaW.C. Handy's first successful composition was "Memphis Blues" but, because the producers couldn't obtain the rights to the song, his first successful song was presented in the film as being "Yellow Dog Blues", actually written several years later, after Handy had established himself.
- GoofsEarly in film, a man tells Handy to meet him "at the corner of Beale and Jackson at 4:00" to give him a job. Beale Street and Jackson Avenue do not intersect. Jackson is not straight, but it's more than a mile between them at their closest point.
- Quotes
Gogo Germaine: That's right, Reverend. Stick to your guns. You stick to them because, after all, prejudice is a time saver.
Rev. Charles Handy: I... I beg your pardon?
Gogo Germaine: Well, a busy man like you: You can form an opinion without wasting time bothering about facts.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Afro Promo (1997)
Featured review
Not accurate, but a lot of fun
The film's story line has little in common with Handy's actual life, and some Hollywood writers were brought in to "improve" a few of Handy's lyrics. In other words: don't base your term paper on this picture, unless you're demonstrating how Hollywood can't leave history well enough alone. (Would you be surprised to learn that Handy's real story is more colorful than this -- literally -- black and white movie? Didn't think so).
On the other hand, the cast is sensational -- Kitt and Bailey, particularly, with a nice early sequence featuring Billy Preston as young Bill -- and the music is well played and sung.
Ella Fitzgerald and gospel great Mahalia Jackson are featured briefly, which is another plus.
If you ignore the weaknesses in the (at best) hackneyed script and try not to wince at the stereotyped characters, the film is nicely directed.
I enjoyed it a lot, almost in spite of itself.
On the other hand, the cast is sensational -- Kitt and Bailey, particularly, with a nice early sequence featuring Billy Preston as young Bill -- and the music is well played and sung.
Ella Fitzgerald and gospel great Mahalia Jackson are featured briefly, which is another plus.
If you ignore the weaknesses in the (at best) hackneyed script and try not to wince at the stereotyped characters, the film is nicely directed.
I enjoyed it a lot, almost in spite of itself.
helpful•102
- muskrat-4
- Sep 4, 2006
Details
- Runtime1 hour 45 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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