St. Louis Blues

Allen Reisner
1958-04-07

The glitter and glory story of the man whose rhythm and blues beat became all America's heartbeat!
7.8
105 min

Will Handy grows up in Memphis with his preacher father and his Aunt Hagar. His father intends for him to use his musical gifts only in church, but he can't stay away from the music of the streets and workers. After he writes a theme song for a local politician, Gogo, a speakeasy singer, convinces Will to be her accompanist. Will is estranged from his father for many years while he writes and publishes many blues songs. At last the family is reunited when Gogo brings them to New York to see Will's music played by a symphony orchestra.

Cast

Name Character Team
Nat King Cole W.C. Handy Unowned
Eartha Kitt Gogo Germaine Unowned
Cab Calloway Blade Unowned
Ella Fitzgerald Singer Unowned
Mahalia Jackson Bessie May Unowned
Ruby Dee Elizabeth Unowned
Juano Hernández Rev. Charles Handy Unowned
Teddy Buckner Musician Unowned
Barney Bigard Musician Unowned
George 'Red' Callender Musician Unowned
Lee Young Musician Unowned
George Washington Musician Unowned
Billy Preston Will Handy as a Boy Unowned
Pearl Bailey Aunt Hagar Unowned