1. Early Days of Film and Entertainment -#2. The Music.
Musicians, music, history.
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- DirectorJean BachStarsDizzy GillespieMilt HintonMarian McPartlandThe documentary compiles interviews of all the top jazz musicians in NYC in the year 1958, for a piece in Esquire magazine.
- DirectorJudy ChaikinStarsGeri AllenJessie BaileyJane Ira BloomThe untold stories of female jazz and big band instrumentalists and their journeys from the late 1930's to the present day.
- DirectorCarol BashStarsEddie AllenGeri AllenLouis ArmstrongA feature documentary on the life and music of this renowned jazz pianist, composer and arranger.Mary Lou Williams. 1910 - 1981, (71).
- DirectorSaul J. TurellStarsSidney PoitierPaul RobesonMargaret WebsterThe life of actor and activist Paul Robeson.
- DirectorWilliam GreavesG. William JonesStarsBillie AllenAlbert AmmonsLouis ArmstrongThis documentary presents clips from black films from 1929 through 1957. Musical performers include Paul Robeson (in Song of Freedom), Bessie Smith (St. Louis Blues), Eubie Blake and the Nicholas Brothers (Pie-Pie Blackbird), Lena Horne (Boogie Woogie Dream), Nat 'King' Cole (Killer Diller), Sammy Davis Jr. (Rufus Jones for President), Cab Calloway (Jitterbug Party), and Ethel Waters (Carib Gold). Dramatic excerpts include Murder in Harlem (1935), Juke Joint (1947), and Souls of Sin (1949). Also included are clips from white films stereotyping blacks, including Griffith's Birth of a Nation, and a blackfaced Bing Crosby in Crooner's Holiday (1934).
- DirectorBeth HarringtonStarsChet AtkinsLorrie BennettJohn R. BrinkleyThe Winding Stream is a 90-minute High Definition music history documentary-in-progress that tells the story of the American roots music dynasty, the Carters and the Cashes. Starting with the Original Carter Family (A.P., Sara, Maybelle), the film traces the ebb and flow of their influence, the transformation of that act into the Carter Sisters, the marital alliance with legend Johnny Cash and the efforts of present-day family to keep this legacy alive. No one has yet pulled together all the elements of this family saga in one documentary. The goal of The Winding Stream is to honor this multi-generational family where it stands -- at the headwaters of American roots music.
- DirectorGeorge VerasStarsJerry ButlerLee AndrewsVito BalsamoOriginal vocal groups from the 1950s and early 1960s sing their hits.
- DirectorJim BrownStarsJoan BaezJohnny CashBill ClintonInterviews, archival footage and home movies are used to illustrate a social history of folk artist and activist Pete Seeger.
- DirectorJacques SarasinStarsWendo KolosoyMbinga KabataAntoine MoundandaA tribute to the Congolese people, who despite desperate poverty, a history of oppression and an ongoing civil war that has killed nearly 4 million people, continue to be sustained by music.
- DirectorRobbie CavolinaIan McCruddenStarsAnita O'DayLouis ArmstrongBuddy BregmanA tribute to jazz diva Anita O'Day, completed just weeks before her death in November 2006.Anita O'Day. 1919 - 2006, (87).
- DirectorBen NilesStarsPierre-Laurent AimardHarry Connick Jr.Hélène GrimaudA feature-length independent documentary that follows the creation of a Steinway concert grand, #L1037- from forest floor to concert hall.
- DirectorJack Haley Jr.StarsFred AstaireGene KellyBing CrosbyVarious MGM stars from yesteryear present their favorite musical moments from the studio's 50-year history.
- DirectorBruce RickerStarsBill CharlapJulie AndrewsHarold Arlen
- DirectorMarino AmorusoStarsAnn-MargretLouis ArmstrongJack BennyThe Legendary Crooners features classic performances and looks at the lives of five of the most influential and ground-breaking performers in the history of popular music: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and Perry Como.
- DirectorRichard WhorfVincente MinnelliGeorge SidneyStarsRobert WalkerVan HeflinLucille BremerSongwriter and Broadway pioneer Jerome Kern is unable to find immediate success in the U.S. He sought recognition abroad. He journeyed to England where his dreams of success became real and where he met his future wife Eva Leale.
- 1985– 55mTV-147.8 (113)TV EpisodeDirectorTerry BenesStarsFred AstaireIrving BerlinWilliam BolcomWith its concentration of theaters and publishing houses, New York became the center of the music world and at the center of New York was a small area called Tin Pan Alley where musicians would play their songs for publishers.
- DirectorMiguel KohanStarsAníbal AriasErnesto BaffaEmilio BalcarceInterviews with the musicians and singers from Argentina's golden days of Tango.
- 1971– TV-GTV Episode
- StarsJohnny CashJudy CollinsJeremy IronsIt's one of the most popular and beloved songs in the English language. "Amazing Grace" has been recorded more times than any other hymn and is credited with transforming lives. In this inspiring program, Bill Moyers explores the song's origins and power.
- StarsKeith DavidWynton MarsalisGary GiddinsA survey of the musical form's history and major talents.
- StarsBen VereenBud AbbottGeorge AbbottUsing film clips and photos, the art and history of vaudeville (1890-1930s) is illustrated.
- 1971– 1h 28mNot Rated9.0 (15)TV EpisodeDirectorAndy DunnJames MarshStarsVanessa Bell ArmstrongAmiri BarakaClifton DavisAn American documentary that provides a thorough history of gospel music through archival footage of legendary gospel singers, from soulful concerts to the spiritual musicals.
- 1971– 1h 56mTV-G9.1 (52)TV EpisodeDirectorDonald SturrockStarsJussi BjörlingMaria CallasEnrico CarusoThe Art of Singing: Golden Voices of the Century.
- DirectorHueyStarsDave BrubeckElvis CostelloBill CrowDocumentary videographer James R. Coleman, Jr. aka as just Huey, has captured the smile, and the voice we all recognize from listening weekly to pianist Marian McPartland's "Piano Jazz" on National Public Radio. Her immediately recognizable, but always improvised, theme "Kaleidoscope" has open every show since 1979. Ms. Marian McPartland asked, "What is a Jazz Player?" and answers her own question, "Technically swinging, improvising, sense of humor. Playing in any key, All those things." Jimmy McPartland, her Yank, cornet playing boyfriend in 1940's Britain during the war, instructed Marian when she joined him for the first time on a bandstand, "When you're playing, just hold it steady, in jazz, ya gotta get a good beat, its gotta swing, or forget it!" Throughout Marion's love of Jimmy and the influence the freewheeling improvisational Chicago jazz style is revealed by wonderful performances and delightful family clips. At the Kennedy Center see her rehearsing pianist Billy Taylor's piece "Capricious, " followed by her own composition "Twilight World" in its entirety. Look for string bassist Bill Crow talking about the Hickory House on 52nd Street and recollections of Duke Ellington's visits. A special moment in gorgeous color: Marian extemporaneously improvises "Portrait of Dave Brubeck," as he looks on from his piano, thereafter he created a tune based on the phonetic of her name that they improvised on together. A personal statement relates to her concern for the survival of the environment as she describes Rachael Carlson's influence in "Silent Spring" and the resulting "Portrait of Rachael Carlson" that she performed with the South Carolina Symphony Orchestra. There's also an inside look at the growth of the NPR's "Piano Jazz" with many in the studio clips. When interviewed about Marian, Huey reported, "She's very funny, . . . "you can see her age from 89 to 93!" Daniel Kassell Member, Jazz Journalist Association (866)411-JASS
- DirectorStephen GammondStarsJorge ArevaloDan BernBilly BraggA documentary on the career and life of Woody Guthrie.
- DirectorIrving AllenStarsThe Robert Mitchell Boy ChoirRobert MitchellKen CarpenterA tribute to the Robert Mitchell Choir School of Hollywood, which trains talented young boys in the musical arts in addition to regular academic studies.
- StarsPaul Whiteman and OrchestraCharlie WellmanFilm clips from 1925-1933.
Bessie Smith.
Harlem Lindy Hoppers.
Bill Robinson. - DirectorDan LiebersteinStarsJohn BarryTerence BlanchardCarter BurwellA wonderful journey through the meaning and relevance of film music composition. Featuring great, albeit brief, insights from some of the modern greats.
- DirectorJim BrownStarsLee HaysPete SeegerRonnie GilbertDocumentary about the blacklisted folk group, "The Weavers," and the events leading up to their triumphant return to Carnegie Hall.
- DirectorNorma BengellStarsNorma BengellLauro Machado CoelhoJosé Antônio de Almeida PradoDocumentary about the life and times of Brazilian pianist Guiomar Novaes.
- DirectorPeter FitzgeraldStarsJune AllysonRudy BehlmerMarge ChampionMGM studios brought together the finest musical directors, orchestrators, choreographers, directors and vocal coaches to create the world's greatest musicals.
- DirectorClark JonesStarsCarol ChanningPearl BaileyA one night only performance by two theatrical legends.
- DirectorKip WaltonStarsPearl BaileyLouie BellsonDave Brubeck
- DirectorBuz KohanStarsJack AlbertsonPearl BaileyLouie BellsonA singing, dancing, clowning celebration of the great Pearlie Mae's 40 years as super entertainer and roving ambassador of good will.
- StarsRay BlochThe Ray Bloch OrchestraSteve AllenSix songwriters hear their songs performed, accompanied by the Ray Bloch Orchestra, before a panel of professional musicians or music industry experts who choose who will win a cash prize and a chance at publication.
- StarsNick ClooneyPeter MarshallThe Andrews SistersCo-hosts Nick Clooney and Peter Marshall look back at the big band period of the 1930s-1950s, with vintage performance footage of the great singers - the boy "crooners" and the girl "canaries". Among those who got their start singing with big bands were Frank Sinatra (singing with the Harry James and Tommy Dorsey Orchestras, among others), Peggy Lee (with Benny Goodman), Doris Day (with Les Brown), Perry Como (with Ted Weems) and Jo Stafford (with Tommy Dorsey).
- StarsPat BooneJerry WexlerClive OwenEight-episode series depicting 100 years of history of popular song, from early pioneers to rock'n'roll revolution and modern-day pop.
- 1985– 3h 48mTV-147.7 (301)TV EpisodeDirectorRichard SchickelStarsClint EastwoodSusan OrleanJohn BarrymoreDocumentary about the first 85 years of Warner Bros. Studios, with scenes from hundreds of films that reflect the values, morals and attitudes of several generations, especially in the United States.
- DirectorAlex GibneyStarsJames BrownChristian McBrideBobby ByrdA look at the music career of musician James Brown beginning with his first hit song, "Please, Please, Please," in 1956.
- DirectorChris MonteStarsCount BasiePat BooneEdd ByrnesDuring the hit show's three-year run, Pat's guest stars were the biggest names in the entertainment industry. This program is literally a time capsule of television variety entertainment, as it existed over half a century ago.
- StarsDelta Rhythm BoysThe Mills BrothersDonald MillsThe rich tradition of four-part harmony reached its peak in the late 1930s and 40s. What had been a gospel and vaudeville vocal style was adapted to popular songs, and the Mills Brothers, along with the Delta Rhythm Boys were the premier groups that captured America's attention. Their vocal stylings laid the groundwork for generations of Pop and Soul groups to follow! Here are rare, early appearances by all three of these landmark groups - all on one sensational DVD. No fan of pop or rhythm and blues should miss out on this extraordinary collection!