Jazz Appreciation Month: Jazz in the Movies

Hallelujah (1929) -- the story of a cotton farmer, with music by Irving Berlin.  The DVD includes two musical shorts. Directed by King Vidor.

DVD Video 7079

Blues in the Night (1941) -- story about a jazz band on the road, starring Jimmy Lunceford and his orchestra.

DVD Video 7210

Cabin in the Sky (1943) -- Southern black version of "Faust" legend with music by Duke Ellington.  Features Ethel Waters, Lena Horne and Louis Armstrong.

DVD Video 7080

Stormy Weather (1943) -- includes the dance routine by the Nicholas Brothers that Fred Astaire described as the "best filmed dance sequence ever."  Also featuring Lena Horne, and the Cab Calloway big band.
DVD Video 6313

Birth of the Blues (1946) -- a story about Dixieland jazz, featuring trombonist Jack Teagarden.  The DVD includes Blue Skies (1941), with music by Irving Berlin.
DVD Video 6337

Anatomy of a Murder (1959) -- Otto Preminger film starring Jimmy Stewart, with music by Duke Ellington.
DVD Video 267

'Round Midnight (1968) -- stars saxophonist Dexter Gordon as a troubled sax player.  The film score is by Herbie Hancock.
DVD 6687

Buena Vista Social Club (1999) -- documentary about musicians in Havana
DVD Video 413

Sweet and Lowdown (2004) -- about the conflict between acoustic and electrified jazz.  Music by Dick Hyman
DVD Video 2052

These videos are available from the Educational Resources Collections.