The Nicholas Brothers in Stormy Weather |
Each night is devoted to different categories of films. Monday, June 1, is devoted to classic jazz scores. Among these movies are A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) and Anatomy of a Murder (1959). Thursday, June 4 really has no category, but it features two movies with primarily African American casts: Cabin in the Sky (1940) and Stormy Weather (1943). Stormy Weather is a must see. Not only does it feature performances by Lena Horne, Ada Brown, Mae E. Johnson, Fats Waller, and Cab Calloway among others, but what I consider the greatest dance number in any film--the Nicholas Brothers performing to Cab Calloway's "Jumpin' Jive."
The category on Monday, June 8 is "The Life of a Jazz Musician," including Young Man with a Horn (1950) and Some Like It Hot (1959). The category fo Thursday, June 11 is Battle of the Big Bands and features such films as The Glenn Miller Story (1954) and The Gene Krupa Story (1959).
On Monday June 15, the theme is Jazz Noir and includes such films as Odds Against Tomorrow (1959) and Farewell, My Lovely (1975). On Thursday, June 18 the focus is on International Jazz and features such films as Elevator to the Gallows (1958) and Knife in the Water (1962).
Monday, June 22 focuses on Real Jazz and Art House Jazz, and features such films as Thelonius Monk: Straight, No Chaser (1988) and Blowup (1967). Thursday, June 25 is the final night of the TCM Spotlight on Jazz in Film. The categories that night are Billie Holiday Double Feature and Blues in the Night, including the films New Orleans (1947) and Pete Kelly's Blues (1955).
Following Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather on the 4th is a British production, All Night Long, 1963. It is a must-see featuring jazz greats like Charles Mingus, John Dankworth, and Dave Brubeck. Directed by Basil Deardon it features an Otello-like story with Patrick McGoohan at his psychotic best.
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