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This little-seen 1947 drama is a treat for jazz fans, thanks to an otherwise creaky, if nobly intentioned story built around the music's Crescent City genesis that provides an ample excuse to turn the camera on authentic jazz greats. Nick Duquesne (Arturo De Cordova) is a Bourbon Street charmer whose gambling club provides the mythic stomping grounds for none other than Louis Armstrong, whose vocalizing sweetheart Endie, played by none other than Billie Holiday, proves no slouch herself. A newly arrived debutante, Miralee (Dorothy Patrick), arrives in New Orleans and falls first for the music and then for the roguish but ultimately gallant Nick. The movie follows knee-jerk plot machinations revolving around her family's efforts to excise Nick from her life, her own dream of mingling jazz and classical music, and the gambler's transformation into a jazz promoter.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
New Orleans depicts jazz's progress from marching bands, through the tenderloin district of the Dixie city to mainstream (white) acceptability, with priceless performances from greats Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday and Kid Ory, to mention a few. While all the music in the 1947 film is superb, the perfectly watchable drama quietly comments on the absurd cruelty of racism while satisfying all the norms of a prejudiced era. Though forced into subservient roles, the genius, beauty and dignity of the black stars and their revolutionary music shines brightly. Billie as the lovable Endie is totally mesmerising to watch, and Satchmo resurrects his younger, Hot Fives self with fantastic playing, singing and rapping too! A wonderful musical document and important social document, the final scene is eerily thought-provoking. New Orleans (DVD) (Various Artists) [1947]
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The action begins about 1917, with the Louis Armstrong All Stars jamming in a New Orleans Club, during the early days of Dixiland and River Boat Jazz. Arturo De Cordova plays Nick Ducane, who owns the gambling club/cafe, where they play, he also runs most of Basin and Bourbon Street.
Dorothy Patrick plays Mirelle Smith a budding Opera/Leider singer who visits he mother, a rich gambling lady, in the days when single young socialite ladies were chaperoned or visited downtown venues in 'slumming parties'.
Billy Holiday plays 'Endie' a maid in the Smith household, who practises the blues on the piano, whilst the family are out. She sings what is now one of her most flm appearances, 'Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans'.
Mirelle is enthralled by the Blues and the Jazz, and this is one of the main themes of the film, Classical music meets Jazz. Likewise the jazz artists pick up classical themes from Mr Ferber, a conductor at the Opera House, who visits the club to play Honky Tonk.
Beagle Street Blues, Endie, and Tiger Rag, and The Blues are Brewin, keep the film moving pleasently along,(composed by Louis Alter and Eddie Delange) and Louis 'Satchmo' performs a very cool Rap introducing all the members of the band including Kid Ory, and Barney Bigard.(composed by Bob Carleton and Cliff Dixon). Mirelle and Nick discuss the concept of Jazz, but there is an outrage when she combines it with her Classical repetoire, and her mother tries to 'buy off' the love interest with Nick.
Nick moves to Chicago clubs and employs the Woody Herman Band with Woody on Clarinet. Mirelle becomes famous in Europe, returning years later to sing a concert in Chicago. This time the inclusion of the Woody Herman Band and the 'New Orleans' song are a triumph and she and Nick are reunited.
The screenplay is by Elliot Paul and Dick Irving Hyland, taken from a story by Elliot Paul and Herbert J Biberman. Musical direction is by Nat W Finston in this film from 1947, and the Black and White picture and Mono sound quality is very good.
Dorothy Patrick plays Mirelle Smith a budding Opera/Leider singer who visits he mother, a rich gambling lady, in the days when single young socialite ladies were chaperoned or visited downtown venues in 'slumming parties'.
Billy Holiday plays 'Endie' a maid in the Smith household, who practises the blues on the piano, whilst the family are out. She sings what is now one of her most flm appearances, 'Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans'.
Mirelle is enthralled by the Blues and the Jazz, and this is one of the main themes of the film, Classical music meets Jazz. Likewise the jazz artists pick up classical themes from Mr Ferber, a conductor at the Opera House, who visits the club to play Honky Tonk.
Beagle Street Blues, Endie, and Tiger Rag, and The Blues are Brewin, keep the film moving pleasently along,(composed by Louis Alter and Eddie Delange) and Louis 'Satchmo' performs a very cool Rap introducing all the members of the band including Kid Ory, and Barney Bigard.(composed by Bob Carleton and Cliff Dixon). Mirelle and Nick discuss the concept of Jazz, but there is an outrage when she combines it with her Classical repetoire, and her mother tries to 'buy off' the love interest with Nick.
Nick moves to Chicago clubs and employs the Woody Herman Band with Woody on Clarinet. Mirelle becomes famous in Europe, returning years later to sing a concert in Chicago. This time the inclusion of the Woody Herman Band and the 'New Orleans' song are a triumph and she and Nick are reunited.
The screenplay is by Elliot Paul and Dick Irving Hyland, taken from a story by Elliot Paul and Herbert J Biberman. Musical direction is by Nat W Finston in this film from 1947, and the Black and White picture and Mono sound quality is very good.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
one word can sum up this production. It is made by white people for white audience. Disgraceful way of showing how REAL JAZZ and New Orleans was. There are certainly other movies I'd recommend better than this. One could be "St Loius Blues" from 1958 with Nat "King" Cole.
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