01/03/2023
"Scott Joplin" (1977) is a biographical drama based on the King of Ragtime. Ragtime is an American music genre that flourished in the late 1800s and early 1900s, consisting primarily of piano compositions. Scott Joplin is a genre pioneer helping popularize ragtime into commercial success. Billy Dee Williams stars as Joplin, while Clifton Davis, Margaret Avery, and Art Carney support him. NBC initially pitched the film as a made-for-television movie produced by Motown. Yet, after consideration, they decided to test it as a theatrical release in St. Louis, Phoenix, Denver, and Washington, D.C. The film follows Joplin's life until just before his death. Joplin passed from syphilis in February 1917.
In 1973, the Academy-Awarding winning film "The Sting" reintroduced a new generation of Americans to Scott Joplin, particularly "The Entertainer," the theme song Marvin Hamlisch adapted for the movie. In 1976, Joplin's contribution to American music earned him a Pulitzer Prize Special Citations and Award.
Due to the initial pitch from NBC to make this movie for television, the film had a smaller budget than it would have had if it was a theatrical release. As a result, the movie could never reach its full potential. However, Billy Dee Williams delivered extremely well as Scott Joplin. He was remarkably believable and took excellent care in telling Joplin's story. Clifton Davis plays the role of Louis Chauvin, a ragtime composer that worked with Joplin on the song "Heliotrope Bouquet." Similar to Williams, Davis performs his part as Chauvin masterfully. In addition, he was not a novice to acting as he starred in the hit show "That's My Mama." Margaret Avery provided her experience in her role as Joplin's wife. Joplin and his wife experienced tragic events together, and Williams and Avery showed their depths as actors. By 1977, Avery starred in several movies, and TV shows that, include "Hell up in Harlem" (1973) and "Sanford and Son."
Several cameo appearances include legendary musicians Eubie Blake, Taj Mahal, and Spo-De-Odee. Mabel Lee, DeWayne Jesse (Otis Day), Godfrey Cambridge, and The Commodores also appear. The music in the movie is fantastic as it supplements the complexity of this musical genius. The film is enjoyable but needs to be longer, leaving much untold. Nevertheless, I highly recommend it because of its historical context about a brilliant black composer and the fine acting performed by an established cast.
Director: Jeremy Kagan
Writer: Christopher Knopf
Starring Billy Dee Williams, Clifton Davis, Margaret Avery, Eubie Blake, Godfrey Cambridge, Seymour Cassel, DeWayne Jesse (Otis Day), Mabel King, Taj Mahal, Spo-De-Odee, Art Carney, David Healy, Samuel Fuller
Storyline
Billy Dee Williams (Hit!, The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings) stars with Art Carney and Clifton Davis in Scott Joplin, the fascinating story about the life of the ragtime great. Best known for his song "The Entertainer," Joplin began his career touring nationwide as a piano player in bordellos. When John Stark (Carney) discovers Joplin during a piano competition, Joplin turns into an instant success, composing songs so popular that he becomes the first black composer to be allowed to play at the World's Fair. This historic film recounts Joplin's determination in the face of racism, his heroic struggle with a debilitating disease, and his ultimate triumph as a composer and musical legend.
https://www.daarac.ngo
https://www.daaracarchive.org/2012/01/scott-joplin-1977.html
Available on DVD and streaming services
https://www.amazon.com/Scott-Joplin-Billy-Dee-Williams/dp/B004LLIRR2
