Jazz In Film

The Unsuspected: This 1947 film directed by Michael Curtiz, starred Claude Rains, Joan Caulfield, Audrey Trotter and Constance Bennett follows the story of a girl that has been murdered. A woman cannot remember a man who claims to be her husband. Her uncle hosts a radio murder mystery show called “The Unsuspected”. Who killed the girl? Why? And who is this mystery husband? Are all question to be answered.

This highly polished and thoroughly enjoyable thriller includes a chilling performance by Rains and features a nightclub sequence with drummer Jo Jones leading the group performing “I Got Rhythm”.

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Jazz In Film

Top Of The Heap:  This 1972 film was written, directed and starred Christopher St. John along with Paula Kelly and Florence St. Peter. The story evolves around a Washington, D.C. cop who is mistrusted and despised by his own black people.

J. J. Johnson scored the excellent and effective music for the film.

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Jazz In Film

Inside Man is a 2006 film directed by Spike Lee and stars Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, Christopher Plummer, Willem Dafoe and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

The Story: From a cell, a man tells us he has planned the perfect bank robbery; he invites us to watch. An efficient gang enters a Manhattan bank, locks the doors, and takes hostages. They work deliberately, without haste. Detective vs. bank president vs. corruption charges vs. power broker vs. hidden agenda as they enter high-stakes negotiations.

The Music: Gold Digger by Kanye West samples Ray Charles’ I Got A Woman; Chaiyya Chaiyya – Bollywood Joint” written by A.R. Rahman, Gulzar, Panjabi MC and “Chaiyya Chaiyya” also written by A.R. Rahman, Gulzar with all Orchestral Arrangement by Terence Blanchard. 

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Jazz In Film

The Subterraneans is a 1960 film adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s book about the “new bohemians”, today’s young rebels who live and love in a world of their own. This is their story told to the hot rhythms of fabulous jazz!

Directed by Ranald MacDougall and stars Leslie Caron, George Peppard, Janice Rule, Roddy McDowell, Anne Seymour, Jim Hutton and Arte Johnson.

Music by Andre Previn with appearances by Carmen McRae, Gerry Mulligan, Bob Enevoldsen, Art Pepper, Art Farmer, Russ Freeman, Red Mitchell, Dave Bailey, Shelly Manne, Bill Perkins and Chico Hamilton.


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Jazz In Film

Some Call It Loving is an updated version of Sleeping Beauty about a woman who has been asleep for eight years. Purchased from a carnival by a lonely man, this 1973 vehicle chronicles the erotic fantasies of a young white jazz musician.

Directed by James B. Harris and starring Zalman King, Carol White, Tisa Farrow and Richard Pryor the film is backed by an excellent music track by Richard Hazard with Ronnie Lang ghosting the baritone sax solos for the lead actor.

Accompanied on the soundtrack are trumpeter Conte Candoli, trombonist Bob Brookmeyer, electric pianist Dave Grusin, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Stan Levey. Bassist Leroy Vinnegar appears in a rehearsal sequence with source music provided by Bud Shank, plus strings.

The soundtrack uses Nat King Cole’s recording of The Very Thought Of You.

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