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Jazz, Jazz-Scored, and Jazz Age Films: 1920s-Present
Listed below are full-length feature films that meet one or more of these criteria:
The story is about jazz or jazz musicians;
The film features performances by famous
(or fictional) jazz musicians;
An impressive jazz soundtrack accompanies a story that may
not have anything to do with jazz;
The film captures some characteristic aspect of the Jazz
Age (the 1920s to early 30s).
NOTE: Some of the earlier films use unflattering racial stereotypes. Others seem to have
written Black musicians out of jazz history. The all-Black films had to operate on much
smaller budgets than the all-white ones did. Unfortunately, racism is part of the history of
the development of film in general, but these jazz films still contain valuable jazz
performances we have no access to in any other way.
All these films should be available at online sources like amazon.com; some may be found at
your local video rental store.
The Jazz Singer (1927) -- In this first feature-length talkie (and first musical),
the main character, played by Al Jolson, must choose between a jazz career and his traditional
Jewish father; unfortunately, the ending includes the famous black-faced rendition of "Mammy."
Our Dancing Daughters (1928) -- "Transitional talkie" (no actual talking, but some
sound effects) starring a young Joan Crawford as a jazz babe/flapper. Watch an authentic 1920s
Charleston!
The King of Jazz (1930) -- No plot, and the music certainly is not "hot
jazz"--but that didn't stop highly successful bandleader Paul Whiteman from proclaiming himself
"King of Jazz" in this film. A somewhat racist animation explains humorously how he (a "white
man") got the title. Whiteman also manages to "whiten" up the origins of jazz. Early
Technicolor.
Paradise in Harlem (1939) -- A performer's career is cut short by a mob
killing. All-Black cast. Includes song and dance numbers by Harlem greats like blues singer
Mamie Smith and others.
Birth of the Blues (1941) -- Bing Crosby founds the first all-white jazz
band (fictional) in New Orleans. Features Jack Teagarten jazz band.
Cabin in the Sky (1943) -- All-black cast's version of the Faust legend,
featuring jazz singers Ethel Waters and Lena Horne, Duke Ellington's music, and a comical
Louis Armstrong as the devil's assistant. Some racial stereotyping, but otherwise good.
Stormy Weather (1943) -- Weak plot vaguely based on life of famed dancer
Bojangles Williamson; mainly black cast and good performances by Lena Horne, Bojangles, Cab
Calloway, Fats Waller, and the Nicholas Brothers.
New Orleans (1947) -- Trite plot set in Storyville and the French Quarter
of New Orleans provides opportunities for good jazz performances by Louis Armstrong, Billie
Holliday, Kid Ory, and other jazz greats.
Rhapsody in Blue (1945) -- Somewhat fictionalized life of George
Gerschwin, but the music is authentic, with generous selections included.
A Song Is Born (1948) -- Music professor Danny Kaye learns about jazz
from a pretty night club singer hiding from gangsters. Music by Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong,
Lionel Hampton, and others.
Young Man with a Horn (1950) -- Loosely based on the life of the
legendary 1920s (white) cornetist Bix Beiderbecke, played by Kirk Douglass.
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) -- Tennessee Williams' great play
directed by Elia Kazan and starring Marlon Brando and Vivian Leigh. Alex North's music is
the first American film score using jazz for dramatic purposes instead of just background or
set performance pieces.
The Glenn Miller Story (1953) -- A somewhat fictionalized version of
the life of jazz band leader Glenn Miller, played by Jimmy Stewart.
The Benny Goodman Story (1955) -- The rise to fame of clarinetist and
swing band leader Benny Goodman, played by Steve Allen.
Pete Kelly's Blues (1955) -- Jack Webb as 1920s cornetist runs afoul of
the Kansas City mob. Includes jazz singers Ella Fitzgerald and Peggy Lee, plus good jazz combo.
The Man with a Golden Arm (1955) -- Otto Preminger film about a junkie
musician, played by Frank Sinatra. Great jazz soundtrack.
I Want to Live (1958) -- Oscar-winning performance of Susan Hayward as
a "good-time gal" convicted of murder (fictionalized version of a true case). Powerful jazz
soundtrack.
The Five Pennies (1959) -- Story of Loring "Red" Nichols, the 1920s
cornetist/band leader, played by Danny Kaye. Includes Louis Armstong performances.
Anatomy of a Murder (1959) -- Excellent Otto Preminger movie, with an
outstanding jazz soundtrack by Duke Ellington. Stars Jimmy Stewart.
Paris Blues (1961) -- Two jazzmen (black Sidney Poitier and white Paul
Neuman) compete in Paris; includes a strong love story between Poitier and Diahann Carol, a
role by Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington's music.
Lady Sings the Blues (1972) -- The tragic life of jazz singer Billie
Holiday, played by Diana Ross. One of the few woman-focused jazz movies.
The Great Gatsby (1974) -- There are no great movie versions of
Fitzgerald's novel, but this one, starring Robert Redford, is strong on 1920's costumes and
settings; includes some music. If you can find the 1949 black and white version, some critics
prefer Alan Ladd's performance as Gatsby.
The Cotton Club (1984) -- 1920s black tap dancer (Gregory Hines) and
white cornetist (Richard Gere) struggle for success while dealing with bootlegging mobsters;
includes good recreations of some of the famous Cotton Club performances (Duke Ellington, Cab
Calloway, dancers, etc.).
The Gig (1985) -- Amateur Dixieland band encounters the realities of the
professional music business and the people in it.
Round Midnight (1986) -- Starring jazz musician Dexter Gordon, this
story of an Afro-American saxophonist is loosely based on his own life and on the lives of
Lester Young and other jazzers. Some fans believe this is the best jazz film.
Bird (1987) -- Clint Eastwood's version of the life of Charlie "Bird"
Parker.
Mo' Better Blues (1990) -- Spike Lee's movie about a Miles Davis type
character.
Tune in Tomorrow (1990) -- Crazy New Orleans comedy, with a wonderful
jazz soundtrack by Wynton Marsalis. Stars Barbara Hershey, Keanu Reeves, Peter Falk.
Lush Life (1993) -- The relationship of two jazz musicians making a
living in the New York jazz scene.
Kansas City (1996) -- Robert Altman's recreation of the 1930s Kansas
City jazz scene; features the sounds of Count Basie and Lester Young.
Sweet and Lowdown (1999) -- Woody Allen's story of a (fictional) jazz
guitarist with a big ego, played by Sean Penn. Careful recreation of 1920s and 30s jazz
scene and music.
