A Man Called Adam

Just watched this on Netflix disc with my mom. We both enjoyed this obscure film from 1966 about a jazz musician who suffers ups and downs because of a past he can't escape. Sammy Davis Jr. is Adam Johnson, a trumpeter with a short temper and a messed up social life. Ossie Davis is his club owner friend Nelson, Frank Sinatra Jr. is his Caucasion protégé Vincent, Cicely Tyson is his activist lover Claudia, Louis Armstrong is her grandfather who's also a jazz musician named Willie, and Peter Lawford is his agent Manny. All are very compelling in their roles which takes on many issues with racism and why Adam feels the way he does. Also interesting seeing such up-and-coming stars like Ja'net Du Bois, Johnny Brown (both eventually of "Good Times"), and Lola Falana in some roles. Oh, and the director is Leo Penn, father of Sean Penn. So on that note, I highly recommend A Man Called Adam. Oh, and I also loved Mel Torme doing his thing in one number.

The good:

• The great performance from Sammy Davis, who has such screen presence and exudes cool. Cicely Tyson (RIP!) is good in this too.

• The jazz soundtrack, with performances from Louis Armstrong and Mel Torme, who were both a treat to see.

• The spotlight on racism in society and in the police force, and in a minor key, allusions to the tension between passive nonviolence and fighting back in reaction to it.

The bad:

• Davis's character is unlikeable. He's been traumatized but is a complete jerk to everyone around him, and I think we're meant to have the same reaction as the other characters, which is to forgive him because he's so talented.

• The plot is melodramatic and lacks creative focus. It's too bad it kept going back to Davis imploding instead of other more interesting things.

The ugly:

• The treatment of Tyson's character. I hated how she succumbed to Davis after he forces himself on her, failing the first time and succeeding the second (just keep assaulting 'em fellas, and they'll give in). She forgives his bad behavior like a saint, and in one nausea-inducing moment, blames herself for having softened him too much by telling him to behave better. Ugh.

Great movie the best SAMMY DAVIS JR film to date,did anybody notice MORGAN FREEMAN doing background extra work, when i was young I heard old people talk about his film people like my DAD, I know he saw this film this film was very appealing to him, I know,he was in to this type of music pure jazz, all the actors were great, know I would love to own it on DVD, it help me to understand the emotionally charged 1960s I lived thru that period.and the only program that bought laughter into our hope was a show called I DREAM OF JEANNIE which MR DAVIS did a guest spot and the number that OLD BLACK MAGIC if you look carefully you'll notice the cast is mesmerized at Sammy's performance Barbara Larry Hayden and bill even the background club atmosphere was awed by this man energy,,,,,wish I could've meet him

HOW have i never seen this before? and why is it rated so low? check out that cast list. Sammy Davis Junior as star horn player Adam Johnson. Louie Armstrong is "Willie". Ossie Davis is Davis. Cicely Tyson is the love interest. co-stars Frank Sinatra Junior, Mel Torme, Peter Lawford is his agent Manny. Lola Falana, Morgan Freeman. has a greater cast ever been in one film?? Adam has experienced so much loss, it comes out in his horn playing. he's wild, explosive. eccentric. and when they get into a hassle with the local coppers, he fights for his rights, and refuses to bow down. great stuff, if a little over the top. but to be fair, it was 1966, right in the heart of the fight for civil rights. Really Good! Directed by Leo Penn, father of Sean Penn. has his own interesting story. One of the last films of Louis Armstrong... he even sings a couple songs. Highly recommend this one!

I am floored that I have never seen this film before...much less ever heard of it! And now I am hooked until the end. The cast, the era, the theme, the music and even the opening is WORTH the price of admission on Netflix!