mdblist.com logo The Best Duke Ellington Movies. Go to The Best Shows


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poster
86
8.0
/76978/
78
/1654/
78
/1109/
4.2
/84124/
100
/53/
91
/822/
95
/15/
cc age 13+

Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
Semi-retired Michigan lawyer Paul Biegler takes the case of Army Lt. Manion, who murdered a local innkeeper after his wife claimed that he raped her. Over the course of an extensive trial, Biegler parries with District Attorney Lodwick and out-of-town prosecutor Claude Dancer to set his client free, but his case rests on the victim's mysterious business partner, who's hiding a dark secret.
poster
Kanopy
85
7.8
/3782/
75
/162/
76
/56/
4.1
/34555/
97
/65/
97
/27/
91
/19/

Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat (2024)
Jazz and decolonization are intertwined in a powerful narrative that recounts one of the tensest episodes of the Cold War.
poster
fuboTV
77
52
8.1
/1176/
75
/112/
77
/62/
3.9
/5004/

The Green Book: Guide to Freedom (2019)
In 1936, Victor H. Green (1892-1960) published The Negro Motorist Green Book, a book that was both a travel guide and a survival manual, to help African-Americans navigate safe those regions of the United States where segregation and Jim Crow laws were disgracefully applied.
poster
HBO Max Amazon Channel
77
41
6.8
/742/
77
/61/
65
/18/
3.5
/1077/
96
/23/
86
/3/
77
/4/

The Apollo (2019)
The history of New York City's Apollo Theater in Harlem is given the full treatment.
poster
64
31
6.3
/1075/
59
/20/
57
/11/
3.1
/1224/
88
/8/
56
/7/

Belle of the Nineties (1934)
Cabaret entertainer Ruby Carter shifts her operations to New Orleans and becomes exceedingly popular with the local men.
poster
58
30
6.5
/1074/
56
/14/
55
/11/
3.1
/1539/
78
/9/
36
/13/

Murder at the Vanities (1934)
Shortly before the curtain goes up the first time at the latest performance of Earl Carroll's Vanities, someone is attempting to injure the leading lady Ann Ware, who wants to marry leading man Eric Lander. Stage manager Jack Ellery calls in his friend, policeman Bill Murdock, to help him investigate. Bill thinks Jack is offering to let him see the show from an unusual viewpoint after he forgot to get him tickets for the performance, but then they find the corpse of a murdered woman and Bill immediately suspects Eric of the crime.
poster
64
29
6.5
/674/
59
/26/
62
/33/
3.5
/1208/

Black and Tan (1929)
Duke Ellington plays hot jazz in a fictional story that finds him down on his luck; he tries in vain to dissuade his friend, dancer Fredi Washington, from working with heart trouble even though it means work for his band. Sure enough, she collapses on stage...
poster
60
20
6.3
/486/
70
/7/
60
/10/
54
/58/

Birth of the Blues (1941)
Jeff grows up near Basin Street in New Orleans, playing his clarinet with the dock workers. He puts together a band, the Basin Street Hot-Shots, which includes a cornet player, Memphis. They struggle to get their jazz music accepted by the cafe society of the city. Betty Lou joins their band as a singer and gets Louie to show her how to do scat singing. Memphis and Jeff both fall in love with Betty Lou.
poster
71
20
7.4
/297/
71
/15/
66
/17/
3.7
/848/

Symphony in Black: A Rhapsody of Negro Life (1935)
A rising nineteen-year-old singer by the name of Billie Holiday made her screen debut in this musical landmark, which features Duke Ellington and his orchestra performing his symphonic jazz piece “A Rhapsody of Negro Life” set to scenes of everyday African American life.
poster
63
17
6.5
/402/
60
/15/
62
/27/
3.4
/306/

Jam Session (1942)
Duke Ellington and Orchestra perform 'C Jam Blues'.
poster
Hoopla
55
16
4.8
/470/
70
/2/
53
/6/
50
/54/

Check and Double Check (1930)
Amos and Andy trying to make a go of their "open-air" taxi business while they get caught up in a society hassle, involving driving musicians to a fancy party.
poster
?
8.5
/10/

Jazz Legends in Their Own Words (2014)
A journey into the BBC archives unearthing glorious performances and candid interviews from the golden age of jazz. Featuring some of the greatest names in American music, including the godfather of New Orleans jazz Louis Armstrong, the King of Swing Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie and Ella Fitzgerald.
poster
?
10
/1/

Duke Ellington: Love You Madly (1967)
Profile of Duke Ellington featuring performances and interviews with the legendary bandleader. The performance footage was recorded in a number of places from The Basin St. West Jazz Club, the 1965 Monterey Jazz Festival, and his first Concert of Sacred Music at Grace Cathedral. This program was described by Ellington in his autobiography as the best film about Duke Ellington ever made...
poster
?
35
/2/

Salute to Duke Ellington (1950)
Short directed by Will Cowan as tribute to Duke Ellington
poster
Kanopy
?
60
/1/

Duke Ellington and His Orchestra (1943)
Restored Film released in 1943, directed by Jay Bonafield
poster
?
80
/1/

I Got It Bad & That Ain't Good (1942)
1942 Short restored in true form
poster
?
6.3
/8/
45
/2/

Solitude (1952)
N/A
poster
?
60
/1/

The Harlem Renaissance (2004)
Chronicling the Harlem Renaissance era, this retrospective documentary tracks the origins of the soulful music of the period, along with the challenges many of the genre's artists faced when trying to gain recognition within conventional society. Included are anecdotes from musicians and historians, plus footage of performances and interviews with Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and more.
poster
?
6.3
/10/
30
/2/

Sophisticated Lady (1952)
Duke Ellington Orchestra performing "Sophisticated Lady" for Snader Telescriptions film.
poster
?
6.4
/7/
40
/2/
60
/1/

Mood Indigo (1952)
Duke Ellington Orchestra performs "Mood Indigo" for Snader Telescriptions.
poster
?
10
/1/
80
/1/

Duke Ellington at the Côte d'Azur with Ella Fitzgerald and Joan Miro (1966)
The rather dusty black-and-white footage, dating from the summer of 1966, opens with bikinis, beach umbrellas and Foster Grant-shaded sophisticates strolling La Croisette. The scene then shifts to a surprisingly drab hotel suite, where Duke Ellington explains that, though his career had taken him to all corners of the globe, this is his first visit to the French Riviera. Ellington is there, with Ella Fitzgerald, for the Festival International de Jazz at Juan-les-Pins, but, as he enthuses in his introduction, he’s equally eager to indulge his love of modern art with up-close observation of works by Picasso, Calder, Alberto Giacometti and Joan Miró. As any fan of Ellington and/or Fitzgerald is well aware, an edited version of their four-night Côte d’Azur appearance was released in ’66 as a two-record set. That version found its way onto CD in 1997. A year later, a massive, eight-disc compendium served up the Duke and Ella sessions in their entirety.
poster
?
8.0
/19/
60
/1/

Billie Holiday: The Ultimate Collection (2005)
This remarkable DVD includes rare TV and film performances, an especially rare radio interview with Mike Wallace, an audio-only rehearsal session with pianist Jimmy Rowles, audio interviews with friends and fellow musicians, an interactive timeline and an evocative photo-document gallery featuring hundreds of dates and images, from rare photos to personal letters, plus Lady Day's complete recording history for major record companies. Performance highlights include three from 1956's 'Stars Of Jazz' TV that are seen here for the first time since their original broadcast, Holiday's first appearance on film, Duke Ellington's "Saddest Tale," and the classic "Fine And Mellow" with Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, and other jazz greats.
poster
?
60
/1/

Jazz Evolution (2008)
N/A
poster
?
7.8
/74/
85
/2/
76
/3/

Hot Chocolate (1941)
Whitey's Lindy Hoppers at their best along with Duke Ellington and his Orchestra performing for this "Hot Chocolate" musical short.
poster
?
60
/4/
80
/1/

Bli-Blip (1942)
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra perform "Bli-Blip" with Marie Bryant and Paul White
poster
?
7.1
/18/
63
/3/

The Strolling '20s (1966)
Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier travel down memory lane to see what life was like back in the 1920s. Harry Belafonte introduces this musical, written by poet and playwright Langston Hughes, which pays tribute to Harlem in the 1920's. Sidney Poitier provides commentary on the era throughout the program, and George Kirby and Nipsey Russell portray various Harlem characters. Program highlights include: Gloria Lynne singing "Good Ol' Wagon"; Brownie McGhee singing "Let the Deal Go Down"; Diahann Carroll singing "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out"; Sammy Davis, Jr., singing and tap dancing to "Doin' the New Low Down"; Joe Williams singing "Nobody Knows the Way I Feel This Morning"; and Duke Ellington performing "Sophisticated Lady" with a sextet.
poster
?
10
/1/

The Lou Rawls Show with Duke Ellington (1991)
With a unique style that encompassed soul, jazz and pop, Lou Rawls established himself as one of the premier voices of the modern musical age. This outstanding episode of his self-titled variety show is packed with soulful blues tunes and beautiful ballads such as "It Was a Very Good Year." Included is a gospel duet of "Oh, Happy Day" with Freda Payne and a show-stopping performance by Duke Ellington on "Satin Doll" and "Sophisticated Lady."
poster
?
8.2
/11/

Duke Ellington in Isfahan (2021)
This short documentary by writer and archivist Ehsan Khoshbakht tells the story of Duke Ellington's concert tour of the Middle East in 1963 and the development of one of the most beautiful jazz standards.
poster
?
6.9
/23/
70
/1/
68
/4/

Charlie Parker: Bird Songs (2022)
In 1955, on his report, a medical examiner wrote in the box: age, “about 53 years”. Charlie Parker nicknamed Bird just died, at 34. His death will be the ransom of a life that was not denied to the excesses or the consuming flame of genius. His wildest improvisations will open the door to future jazzmen. Between shadow and light this film will pay tribute to one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century.
poster
?
7.1
/80/
80
/1/
10
/1/

Date with Duke (1947)
Duke Ellington at the piano conducts a group of puppet perfume bottles playing his "Perfume Suite."
poster
?
6.7
/58/
50
/2/

The Hit Parade (1937)
Agent Pete Garland is fired by society singer Monica Barrett after he got her a new radio contract, because she thinks her lawyer friend Teddy Leeds fits in better with her social status. To get even, Pete wants to make an unknown singer into a star. He finds Ruth Allison, drives her hard through rehearsals and makes her a star. But she is worried about her past, something she hasn't told Pete: She's an ex-convict and jumped bail in order to keep her partners in crime out of it. Further she's in love with Pete, but feels that he's still carrying a torch for Monica. When Monica's popularity is decreasing, Pete is able to get Ruth a stint on the program, the result is Monica is fired and Ruth get her job, but Monica takes revenge by revealing Ruth's past. Ruth considers it is best for her to disappear before being arrested, but she has become a star in public opinion. Will she get Pete or will she go to prison again?
poster
?
7.6
/19/

Improvisation (2004)
Improvisational jazz performance filmed in 1950 by Gjon Mili plus Duke Ellington Trio filmed in July 1966, Count Basie at the Montreux Jazz Festival 1977, Joe Pass 1979, Ella Fitzgerald 1979, and Oscar Peterson at the Montreux Jazz Festival 1977.
poster
?
20
/1/

Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1929-1943 (2000)
Joined by the likes of saxophonist Ben Webster and trumpeter Cootie Williams, jazz giant Duke Ellington demonstrates in this collection of performance clips (spanning the years 1929-43) precisely why he's one of the seminal figures in American music. Ellington's musical evolution can be seen in excerpts from feature-length and short films that include Black and Tan, Check and Double Check, Symphony in Black and The Hit Parade of 1937.
poster
?
5
/1/

Duke Ellington & Sarah Vaughan Live At The Berlin Philharmonic Hall 1989 (2014)
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra plus Sarah Vaughan & Her Trio live in Berlin. Featuring: Duke Ellington (piano), Sarah Vaughan (vocals), Harold Ashby (saxophone), Harry Carney (saxophone), Paul Gonsalves (saxophone), Money Johnson, Gus Mancuso, Russell Procope (saxophone), Eddy Pucci (drums), Norris Turney (saxophone), Johnny Veith (piano), Cootie Williams (trumpet)
poster
56
?
6.9
/129/
20
/1/
80
/2/

It's Black Entertainment (2002)
A star-studded tribute (from the creators of That's Entertainment) to the contributions of Afro-Americans in film over the last century. Vanessa Williams traces the struggles and triumphs of the superstars of music and film. Among the many artists featured are: Whitney Houston, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr., Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Cab Calloway, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Little Richard, Also included are today's contemporary superstars: Snoop Dogg, Ice T, Quincy Jones, Spike Lee, Russell Simmons, and many, more! 80 minutes plus DVD bonus features.
poster
?
42
/2/

The Story Of The Blues (2004)
The story of The Blues traces the four main traditions of blues music: Form Blues, Blues, Urban Blues and Blues Electric. The blues has evolved and diversified, and filtered into a surprising variety of styles in contemporary music. In the blues the history of music was released. A look at the roots, origins and the subsequent influence of style the film explores the blues significant contribution to the development of jazz, rock and country and western music. Big Bill Broonzy, Robert Johnson, Lonnie Johnson, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Alexander Texas, and many more artists are featured through the film.
poster
?
7.6
/34/
10
/1/

On the Road with Duke Ellington (1974)
Documentary portrait of the legendary jazz bandleader. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with The Film Foundation in 2000.
poster
Hoopla
?
7.6
/36/
40
/2/
70
/1/

Jazz Ball (1956)
A made-for-TV musical revue, compiled from soundies and film and TV performances by jazz greats from the 1930s to the 1950s.
poster
?
70
/1/

Jazz Icons: Duke Ellington Live in '58 (2007)
Jazz Icons: Duke Ellington features the earliest-known filmed full-length concert by one of the 20th Century's greatest songwriters and bandleaders. Filmed at Amsterdam's famed Concertgebouw, this 80-minute concert features the 16-piece Duke Ellington Orchestra two years after their stunning performance at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival,which Duke considered his second birth. This epic performance includes legendary players Clark Terry, Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney, Paul Gonsalves, Quentin Jackson and Ray Nance performing some of the most beloved American music ever written.
poster
65
?
6.9
/167/
63
/12/
56
/7/
3.5
/392/

A Bundle of Blues (1933)
Duke Ellington and his orchestra play two jazz compositions plus 'Stormy Weather' (sung by Ivy Anderson).
poster
?
6.0
/77/
60
/3/
53
/3/

Many Happy Returns (1934)
Gracie Allen assumes the "management" of the shop owned by her papa Horatio Allen, turning it into a radio station and then an aviary---with the usual Gracie Allen logic---while distracted Papa is trying to get younger daughter, beauty contest winner Florence, married before she can head to Hollywood and get into the movies.
poster
72
?
7.6
/102/
70
/5/
70
/2/

The Jazz Ambassadors (2018)
The Cold War and Civil Rights collide in this remarkable story of music, diplomacy and race. Beginning in 1955, when America asked its greatest jazz artists to travel the world as cultural ambassadors, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington and their mixed-race band members, faced a painful dilemma: how could they represent a country that still practiced Jim Crow segregation?
poster
?

Duke Ellington Orchestra - Berliner Jazztage 1969 (1969)
N/A
poster
?

I Can't Give You Anything But Love: The Jimmy McHugh Story (2024)
An aspiring singer is tasked with promoting the music catalogue of his great-grandfather, the famous songwriter Jimmy McHugh, recorded by everyone from Sinatra to Lady Gaga. While licensing these songs for movies, commercials, TV and Broadway shows, the singer journeys through the magic of his great-grandfather's stellar career.
poster
?

Symphony In Swing (1949)
Restored film directed by Will Cowan in 1943
poster
?

Flamingo (1942)
Restored film directed by Josef Berne, released in 1942
poster
?

Steve e il Duca (2024)
In 1999, on the occasion of the centenary of Ellington's birth, Franco Maresco commissioned Steve Lacy to perform ten songs by the Duke, which were recorded and filmed in Palermo. In 2024, twenty years after Lacy's death and fifty years after that of Ellington, that unpublished material re-emerges from the archive of the great Sicilian director and becomes a documentary.
poster
Kanopy
?

Duke Ellington and his Orchestra - Live (2019)
In this concert from his great European tour Duke gives a big band concert to be remembered in Brussel’s Marni Theatre. Featuring star soloists Money Johnson on trumpet, Paul Gonsalves on saxophone, and Joe Benjamin on bass, and even a surprise appearance from singer Anita Moore, this recording is another gem in the Duke’s discography and a must-have for fans.


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