St. Louis Blues (1958 film)

St. Louis Blues
Film poster
Directed byAllen Reisner
Written byTed Sherdeman
Robert Smith
Produced byRobert Smith
StarringNat King Cole
Eartha Kitt
CinematographyHaskell B. Boggs
Edited byEda Warren
Music byW. C. Handy
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • April 10, 1958 (1958-04-10)
[1]
Running time
105 minutes
CountryUnited States

St. Louis Blues is a 1958 American film broadly based on the life of W. C. Handy. It stars jazz and blues greats Nat "King" Cole, Pearl Bailey, Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, Eartha Kitt, and Barney Bigard, as well as gospel singer Mahalia Jackson and actress Ruby Dee. The film's soundtrack uses over ten of Handy's songs, including the title song. In conjunction with the film, Cole recorded an album of W. C. Handy compositions, arranged by Nelson Riddle, and Fitzgerald incorporated "St. Louis Blues" into her concert repertoire.

Plot

A 1958 American film broadly based on the life of W. C. Handy. Although his Mother loved music, his Father, because of his beliefs, refuses to acknowledge his son’s musical talent. While struggling with his heart and what is right, W.C Handy leads a double life. A classic tale of parent and child pulled in different directions and the distance it brings to their relationship, or does it? The cast bring this story to the screen with music and song that is not to be missed.

Cast

Release

The film had its world premiere on April 10, 1958, at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri, less than two weeks after Handy's death.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b St. Louis Blues at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films


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