Seven more classic films of the '50s & '60s (some rarely seen, all by great directors) with classic jazz scores composed by and featuring jazz musicians—real and fictional—on screen, off screen, and (in most cases) both.
Curated by Ed Cardoni
Starring Frank Sinatra as WWII veteran, ex-con, backroom poker dealer, struggling heroin addict, and aspiring big band drummer "Frankie Machine," the usually elegant Eleanor Parker in the atypical role of Frankie's clinging invalid wife "Zosch," and Kim Novak as "Molly." Musical team: composer and conductor Elmer Bernstein (Sweet Smell of Success), orchestrator Fred Steiner, Shorty Rogers (trumpet and jazz arrangements), Shelly Manne (drums, also in the next film, I Want to Live), Larry Bunker (drums), Jimmy Giuffre (clarinet; tenor & bari saxophones), Pete Jolly (piano), Curtis Counce (bass), Ralph Peña (bass), and Pete Candoli (trumpeter, as "Jazz Musician"). Suggested by Jeff Simon, Buffalo News film and jazz critic.
Special offer for jazz movie addicts: if you become a Hallwalls member at this first screening, you will get into this first screening for FREE, then—once you're hooked—get the Members' discount at all remaining screenings, as well as all Hallwalls events throughout the year. By taking advantage of this offer tonight, at the outset of the series, you could save as much as $26 on this series alone ($12 for students and seniors)!
Licensed for public exhibition through Reel Media International.
(Otto Preminger, 1955)