St. Louis Blues (1958)

the audience applauded

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

This is a pleasant film about (in some ways) the life of W.C. Handy. Mostly it's watchable because the leading man, Nat King Cole, was very assured in this role and because his voice was heavenly. It also didn't hurt that you get to see performances by great Black performers such as Ertha Kitt, Ella Fitzgerald, Mahalia Jackson, Pearl Bailey and Cab Calloway (though Calloway never gets to sing in the film).Many of the real life incidents in W.C. Handy's life are present in this movie--and many are twisted an misrepresented for the sake of making an entertaining film. On one hand, Handy's father DID protest against his son playing 'devil music' and pushed him to only play church music. But on the other, in a VERY egregious manipulation of the facts, young Handy goes blind--possibly because he defied his father. In real life, while Handy DID go blind, it was at the age of 70 after he fell from a subway platform and hit his head!! In the film, it happens when he's in his 20s and only is restored when he plays church music once again!!! Utter clap-trap!! My advice is DON'T watch the film as history--watch it for its entertainment value. It's quite watchable and it's a shame Cole didn't get other starring roles, as he was very good.By the way, if you do watch this film, I also suggest you watch "The Waterboy" with Adam Sandler as well as "The Jazz Singer"! It's actually very, very funny how much these three films are alike--something you'd never expect!! In particular, it's just about the exact same plot as "The Jazz Singer"--but it's also a lot better!! Seriously. Also, the little kid who plays W.C. at the beginning of the film is Billy Preston--who later went on to some fame as a session musician with such stars as Sam Cooke and the Beatles (some call him the 'fifth Beatle' because of his work on their albums) and ultimately made a name for himself as a solo act.

Thanks to TCM for showing this extraordinary and constantly surprising film, one this film-lover was completely unaware of. It has everything to delight: the incredible line-up of musical super-stars in the first place, and the subtle but strong acting performances from each member of such a glittering cast (whether in a major or supporting role, as if part of a repertory company) did so much to delineate the fine story values that had social impact and tugged at the heart. The shining glimpses of greatness never ceased to entertain and astonish all the senses (ear, mind, eye . . .) in this gem of a film that has rarely been equaled from this musician's perspective.

Central to the story is the antagonism between W.C Handy and his disapproving father, Reverend Charles Handy. The usual plot turns ensue while W.C. wrestles with his conscience, on the one hand as an obedient and under-empowered son, and on the other as a first-class and inspired musician. The story's a bit of a clunker, and some of the acting a bit two-dimensional. The good Reverend hams it up for us, looking much younger than his apparent signs of extreme age - the limp and gray hair more theatrical than filmic - while Nat King Cole's W.C. Handy suffers from soap opera indigestion. However, Eartha Kitt delivers the films best lines (and attitude) in a beautifully understated performance. It doesn't hurt, either, that she looks like a million dollars while doing it. The movie has the look and feel of having had a decent budget, and the sound in the television screening I saw was flawless, which made the real point of the movie outstanding: the music. To see so much of black America's musical talent of the time, performing in a medium atypical for them, is pure joy. The arrangements and delivery are breathtaking, especially for Eartha Kitt and Nat King Cole, while other numbers from the cast of luminaries are shining examples of their work. It's extraordinary that there is, to date, no DVD available for this film and a shame that more people will not get a chance to see - and hear - this historic gem.

A terrific cast, which depicted Southern Black religious traditions and values versus changing times for true opportunity (in the early days). It's a heartfelt movie suitable for the entire family, and should be a suggested viewing in school (if not already).