Screening

Year Released:
1958
Genres:
Drama
Metadata:
Directed by Allen Reisner
The film will be preceded by a musical performance in celebration of Ella Fitzgerald’s 100th birthday. Jazz musician Monika Herzig and jazz vocalist Janiece Jaffe will perform various songs from Fitzgerald’s repertoire. The film screening will begin at 7 p.m. with music performance prior.  

St. Louis Blues is a biography of W.C. Handy, focusing on a preacher who thinks his son should reserve his musical talents for the church. The film is packed with some of the most important African American stars of the mid-20th century: Nat ‘King’ Cole, Eartha Kitt, Cab Calloway, Mahalia Jackson, Pearl Bailey, Ruby Dee, and Ella Fitzgerald. Print courtesy of the Academy Film Archive. (16mm Presentation)

This screening is sponsored by the Elizabeth Sage Historic Costume Collection, Pamela J. Schlick Fund, and IU Cinema. This partnership is supported through IU Cinema’s Creative Collaborations program.

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