Ella Fitzgerald Movies

The career of the "first lady of song," Ella Fitzgerald, is spotlighted in this 90-minute documentary. Featuring the most comprehensive concert footage of Fitzgerald ever assembled, rare interviews with her family and colleagues, and the Decca & Verve photos, this edition of the American Masters series should not be missed. ~ Heather M. Fierst, All Movie Guide

Directed by Akira Tomono, this lavish historical epic was a celebration of Nikkatsu studio's 80th year anniversary. Set during the run up to World War II, the film centers on Tatsuma Kaya (Masaya Kato), a brooding secret agent for the Japanese Imperial Army. His mission is to gather funds for Japan's impending invasion of Manchuria by any means necessary. That includes robbing a Chinese bank and selling salt in the Manchurian countryside at ludicrously inflated prices. Kaya's life gets ever more complicated when he runs into an old lover, a Chinese cabaret singer and cat burglar named Lian (played by Diane Lane). Later, Kaya is forced to start selling opium when his superiors threaten Lian's life. This ultimately leads to an ugly confrontation with ruthless gang boss (played by Hong Kong martial arts icon Yuen Biao). Donald Sutherland also appears as a rapacious Hong Kong bureaucrat. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide

The extraordinary life of Quincy Jones -- one of the 20th century's most influential and talented composers, musicians and music producers -- provides the basis of this offbeat, free-form documentary tribute. With little regard for formal timelines and traditional documentary biography methods, the film is an amazing patchwork of personal insights featuring a constellation of music stars including his long-time friend Ray Charles, Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra, Herbie Hancock, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie and rappers Big Daddy Kane and Flavor Flav, as well as politicians, filmmakers and other important people. Some of the most moving scenes involve Jones returning to his childhood home in Chicago and recounting honest and painful memories from his childhood. Jones does not shy from discussing everything -- from his mother's mental illness, to his marital problems, to his serious health conditions. He also looks frankly at his career. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Nat King Cole is best remembered as the world-renowned crooner who captivated audiences with his airy songs. Unforgettable traces Cole's life through the words of those that knew him personally. The star-studded lineup includes Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Mel Torme. Together with Cole's family, they paint a picture of a gentle genius whose smooth vocals made him famous. The documentary also features stage footage and home movies of Cole. Viewers are treated to tunes such as "Route 66," "These Foolish Things," "Tonight You Belong to Me," and "Hush Hush." Perhaps the most moving tribute is a final rendition of "Stardust" played during Cole's funeral. For lovers of traditional pop and Nat King Cole, Unforgettable leaves a lasting impression. ~ Sarah Ing, All Movie Guide

Most famous for their blockbuster hit singles "Love Will Keep Us Together" and "Do That to Me One More Time," the soft rock team of Captain and Tennille (husband and wife Daryl Dragon and Toni Tennille) peaked in popularity from 1975 through 1976; they performed for the likes of Gerald Ford, swept up a massive fanbase and even landed an eponymous musical variety series on ABC from late September 1976 through mid-March 1977. Unfortunately, that program soon folded due to low ratings; Tennille and Dragon rebounded ever so briefly in 1979 with this musical variety special, originally called simply "Captain and Tennille" but retitled The Captain and Tennille Songbook for video release in the U.S. This hour-long program completely eschews the comedy bits of the original variety series to focus exclusively on music, by virtue of The Captain, Tennille, and guests B.B. King, Ella Fitzgerald and Glen Campbell. It also eschews songs like "The Way I Want to Touch You" and the campy "Muskrat Love" to focus on standards including "Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year," "The Man That Got Away" and "Stormy Weather." ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

Frank Sinatra in a music performance video. He sings "Day In, Day Out," "Get Me to the Church on Time," "What Now My Love," "Ol' Man River," and "Put Your Dreams Away." He does two medleys with jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald that include "How High the Moon," "Up, Up and Away," "Look Out for Jimmy Valentine," "Theme to Tony Rome," "Goody, Goody," "Don't Cry Joe," "Ode to Billy Joe," "Goin' Out of My Head," "The Song is You," "They Can't Take That Away From Me," "Stompin' at the Savoy," and "At Long Last Love," and duets of "The Lady is a Tramp." Fitzgerald sings "Body and Soul," "It's All Right with Me," and "Don't Be That Way." He also does a medley with Antonio Carlos Jobim that includes "Change Partners," "I Concentrate on You," and "The Girl from Ipanema." ~ All Movie Guide

Set in Kentucky during the slavery days of the Old South, this adaptation of the novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe tells of the workings of the underground railroad, a secretive system formed by whites and blacks which allowed slaves to escape into the northern states. This drama, directed in Yugoslavia by Hungarian Geza Radvanyi, tends to stray from the original story and contains many contradictions to historical fact. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide

An original telecast from April of 1959, this performance features Benny Goodman doing "Why Don't You Do Right," "Air Mail Special" and many others. ~ All Movie Guide