St. Louis Blues

As long as the great old films are not on home video, we have to search far and long for the elusive cable broadcasts. Well I was pleasantly surprised to see this one air yesterday on Turner Classic Movies. A film that completely reversed the procedure so well known at MGM: keeping actors of color out of the plot of a film so as not to offend the patrons (and sponsors)of Southern movie theaters. Paramount Pictures took such a gamble in 1958 with this biopic of turn-of-the-century blues composer W. C. Handy, son of a rather rigid preacher man, whose musical gifts are repeatedly deflated and discouraged by said father (who believes such progressive music is only the work of shiftless sinners). The big surprise in this film is the warm, sensitive, and totally subdued performances of the majority of the film's lead cast: Nat 'King' Cole as the quiet Handy, Ruby Dee as his patient, waiting-in-the wings fiancée', and Eartha Kitt as a sassy and ambitious nightclub singer. Even Kitt's character- which would normally be presented as a two-dimensional 'bad girl' caricature, shows some interesting depth as she quietly champions Handy's blues and jazz compositions to be seen by a larger, more commercial, audience. The Alan Reisner direction often leans towards the melodramatic, and veterans Cab Calloway and Pearl Bailey aren't given much to do, but the film soars very nicely as a complete movie. Two honorable mentions must be made however, in the names of Mahalia Jackson- whose gorgeous voice can be heard several times in the church scenes as a choir mistress, and Ella Fitzgerald (perhaps my favorite solo singer of all time) who is featured in a *true* cameo appearance singing a single torch song in a nightclub which Handy happens by one evening. It makes one yearn for more early chances like this one, and makes me especially happy that these performers are archived- even in this small capacity- on motion picture film.

I really enjoyed this movie. And it was really nice seeing my all-time favorite singer, Mahalia Jackson, use her acting skills. Also, Pearl Bailey was very funny in this film- the protective aunt, as I would call her. Eartha Kitt was great and very believable- she really played the part! Nat "King" Cole, to me, still seemed a little shy on camera, but I was told that he was a shy individual. Young Billy Preston did very well with his acting and he "tore up" that organ- as he is already known for doing. There just aren't any words that I can use to describe my feelings for this video, except for it's awesome, great, and fantastic!

I give it an A+++

... played as an adult by Nat "King" Cole. From childhood, Will Handy's biggest problem is his father, a fire and brimstone preacher with a - pardon the expression - black and white view of life. Music is either of God - hymns - or it is of the devil, which is everything else including the music of the streets, of workers, of African Americans. Young Will is drawn to jazz and buys a trumpet. When his dad discovers it he throws it underneath a team of horses so that it is destroyed, to "save his soul".

When Will grows up and graduates college his dad and his girlfriend/fiancee expect him to become a teacher. But Will is still drawn to jazz and the blues. A simple song he composes and performs for a political candidate he doesn't even know gets him the attention of local blues singer Gogo Germaine (Eartha Kitt) . He starts spending his days working on songs with Gogo, and nights performing them at her club. When he is found out by his dad, he is told to either stop this music and become a teacher or get out. Will chooses the latter option.

The obvious conflict in Will is not that of right and wrong, but between the fact that he does not feel like he is doing evil when he writes and performs jazz, but that his dad constantly tells him he is doing evil. How will this work out? I'd say watch and find out, because the biography of the actual W. C. Handy is fascinating, but it's nothing like this film.

I don't think Nat King Cole had any training as an actor, and yet he gives a great performance here. Eartha Kitt plays the glamorous singer who needs Will professionally but has the integrity to not seduce and keep the initially fascinated Will around with her feminine charms. The portrayal of Handy's girlfriend, Elizabeth (Ruby Dee), is just a little too passive considering that Will is constantly dropping in and out of her life. It's OK to be supportive, but the character is in doormat territory.

The supporting musical talent is tremendous and includes Pearl Bailey, Cab Calloway, Mahalia Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billy Preston.

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.

"St Louis Blues", the 1958 biopic of the great W.C Handy, is, though not perfect, very enjoyable to watch and-- more importantly-- listen to.

Portraying Handy is Nat King Cole, in his only leading role in a feature-length Hollywood film. He sings a few tunes (all fantastically performed, of course) and his acting is even relatively convincing. Also in the cast is Eartha Kitt (whose role I believe would have been better filled by someone like Lena Horne), Cab Calloway, Pearl Bailey and even Billy Preston as Handy as a child. Ella Fitzgerald joins the cast, too, but it is only a cameo. Nevertheless, her part is very important; she gives a stellar rendition of "Beale Street Blues", one of the many great W.C Handy tunes featured.

I would definitely recommend this movie, mostly because of the talent in it-- Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and the rest of the cast's talent and, of course, W.C Handy's talent.

This perfect blend of lightheartedness, drama and music is a great biopic of one of America's-- and the world's-- most talented songwriters is a must-see for any lover of Handy or Cole, or, such as myself, both.