The Last of the Blue Devils
R 1979 · 90 min · ★ 8.0 · Music, Documentary
Documentary film detailing the history of Kansas City jazz.
Directed by Bruce Ricker
Your Rating
Cast
-
Count Basie Self -
Big Joe Turner Self -
Dizzy Gillespie Self (archive footage)
Make it a double feature
3h togetherBoth from Bruce Ricker.
More from Bruce RickerSee all →
Dave Brubeck: In His Own Sweet Way · 2010Dave Brubeck: In His Own Sweet Way
★ 7.52010
MovieDocumentaryMusic
A chronological look at the life and career of jazz musician, composer, and performer Dave Brubeck (1920-2012 ), presented through contemporary interviews, archival footage of interviews and performances, and commentary by family, fellow musicians, and aficionados. Emphases include his mother's influence, his wife's invention of college tours, his skill as an accompanist, the great quartet (with Desmond, Morello, and Wright), his ability to find musical ideas everywhere, his orchestral compositions, his religious conversion, and his unflagging sweet nature.
The Blues · 2003The Blues
★ 7.52003
SeriesDocumentary
The Blues (2003) is a seven-part documentary series produced by Martin Scorsese that explores the history and influence of blues music. Each episode, directed by a different filmmaker, traces a unique aspect of the genre’s evolution—from its African roots to its global impact. Originally airing on PBS, the series includes Scorsese’s Feel Like Going Home, Wim Wenders’ The Soul of a Man, Richard Pearce’s The Road to Memphis, Charles Burnett’s Warming by the Devil’s Fire, Marc Levin’s Godfathers and Sons, Mike Figgis’ Red, White and Blues, and Clint Eastwood’s Piano Blues.
Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser · 1988Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser
★ 7.41988
MovieDocumentaryMusic
A documentary film about the life of pianist and jazz great Thelonious Monk. Features live performances by Monk and his band, and interviews with friends and family about the offbeat genius.
Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows · 2000Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows
★ 7.22000
MovieDocumentaryTV Movie
Hollywood careers are full of make-or-break moments. For Clint Eastwood, one such moment came when studio powers agreed to let him make his directing debut. That story and others comprise this portrait of the famed Hollywood icon. His career is explored via an array of film clips, interviews and more.
Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me · 2009Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me
★ 7.22009
MovieDocumentaryMusic
Commemorating the centennial of Mercer's birth, this documentary is part biography, part archive, and part recontextualization, taking Mercer's tunes and putting them in the hands of modern singers like Jamie Cullum and Dr. John to show they are still relevant today. Host Clint Eastwood also interviews artists who collaborated with Mercer or performed his songs, including composer John Williams, Blake Edwards, Andre Previn, Tony Bennett, and Julie Andrews.
Budd Boetticher: A Man Can Do That · 2005Budd Boetticher: A Man Can Do That
★ 7.02005
MovieDocumentary
Documentary about filmmaker Budd Boetticher.
American Masters · 1986American Masters
★ 7.01986
SeriesDocumentary
American Masters is a PBS television series which produces biographies on enduring writers, musicians, visual and performing artists, dramatists, filmmakers, and others who have left an indelible impression on the cultural landscape of the United States.
Eastwood After Hours: Live at Carnegie Hall · 1997Eastwood After Hours: Live at Carnegie Hall
★ 6.31997
MovieDocumentaryMusic
On October 17, 1996, veteran and contemporary jazz greats gathered for a select soiree on the stage of New York's Carnegie Hall, saluting a guy more noted for making popular films than for making sweet music. But as any fan of Clint Eastwood, especially after he started directing 30 years ago, will attest, the award-winning star is also an inveterate jazz lover who has uniquely integrated that musical form into the scores of his films. Join Joshua Redman, Christian McBride, Flip Phillips, Charles McPherson, James Rivers, Slide Hampton, Hank Jones, Thelonious Monk Jr., the Kyle Eastwood Quartet, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and more for this scintillating celebration of film and music.
Bucktown · 1975Bucktown
★ 5.81975
MovieActionCrime
Duke Johnson visits a small Southern town, intent on burying his brother. After the funeral, he learns that he must stay for 60 days, for the estate to be processed. A few locals convince Duke to reopen his late brother's nightclub, and soon the local redneck policemen are intimidating Duke with threats of violence. Duke refuses to pay the bribes they demand, so then he and his lady friend Aretha are threatened and attacked by the crooked cops. Rather than take them on himself, Duke calls on his old pal Roy. Roy brings a few buddies to Bucktown, and they bring justice to the small town. With the redneck cops out of the way, Duke lets his guard down. Then the situation gets out of hand again. Finally, Duke must settle the score himself.
Tony Bennett: The Music Never Ends · 2007Tony Bennett: The Music Never Ends
★ 4.82007
MovieDocumentary
This documentary, produced by actor-producer-director Clint Eastwood, reflects on the life and journey of Bennett, using both archival and recent footages, including never before seen clips from his performance at the 2005 Monterey Jazz Festival.
Linda Lovelace for President · 1975Linda Lovelace for President
★ 4.11975
MovieComedy
An intentionally campy film designed to capitalize on Linda Lovelace's sudden fame following "Deep Throat", this film centers around Linda's fictional grass roots campaign to run for president. Touring the country with a rag-tag team of strange and wacky people, hilarity supposedly ensues at every stop.
More Like This
Swing Girls · 2004Swing Girls
★ 7.92004
MovieComedyMusic
A group of delinquent high school girls form a band when they accidentally poison their school's brass band and have to replace them.
Let's Get Lost · 1988Let's Get Lost
★ 7.21988
MovieMusicDocumentary
Documentary about jazz great Chet Baker that intercuts footage from the 1950s, when he was part of West Coast Cool, and from his last years. We see the young Baker, he of the beautiful face, in California and in Italy, where he appeared in at least one movie and at least one jail cell (for drug possession). And, we see the aged Baker, detached, indifferent, his face a ruin. Includes interviews with his children and ex-wife, women companions, and musicians.
Paris Blues · 1961Paris Blues
★ 6.51961
MovieRomanceDrama
During the 1960s, two American jazz musicians living in Paris meet and fall in love with two American tourist girls and must decide between music and love.
