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The first all-black film produced by a major studio, HALLELUJAH represented the culmination of King Vidor`s long-standing desire to do a project dealing with the lives of African Americans, strongly influenced by his childhood experience in Galveston, Texas. The film stars Daniel Hayes as Zeke Johnson, an impoverished young sharecropper living in South Carolina. When he and his brother Spunk (Everett McGarritty) go north to sell their cotton crop, Daniel falls for the seductive Chick (Nina Mae McKinney) without realizing she`s a shill for the rigged crap game of her lover, Hot Shot (William Fountaine). Finally grasping the scam, Daniel fights with Hot Shot, but his brother is fatally shot during the struggle.The grief-stricken Zeke is reborn as a preacher, traveling the country, spreading the word of the Lord. The cynical Chick appears among the congregation at one of his revival meetings and finds herself moved by his sermonizing. After Daniel baptizes her in the river, the couple elopes, and he finds work in a sawmill. But Chick`s innate restlessness will again create problems for her new husband. Although now somewhat dated, the film was probably the closest approximation of African-American life put onscreen up to that time. The film`s outstanding, meticulously researched soundtrack, ranging from jazz to spirituals, derives from the director`s lifelong affinity for such music.
Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005.
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Johann Sebastian Bach`s life and important compositions are outlined in this easy-to-follow documentary. Features musical excerpts performed by the Elysian Ensemble.
Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005.
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Track Listing:Paradiso
Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005.
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The amazing rhythm and blues pianist Ray Charles overcame congenital blindness to become on of the most respected musicians of the 20th century. The subject of the award-winning 2004 biopic, RAY, Charles is a true inspiration. O GENIO is a beautifully shot record of a rarely seen 1963 concert that the virtuoso performed in Sao Paolo, Brazil. Broadcast on national television, the performance features the young Ray, a day shy of turning 33, belting out some of his most beloved tunes. For extra kitschy fun, the original television commercials are maintained.DVD Features:Region (Unknown)Keep CaseFull Frame - 1.33Additional Release Material: Behind the Scenes Footage - Studio Rehearsal TV Spots - Original Brazilian commercials
Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005.
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RIDI, PAGLIACCIO translates to Laugh, Pagliacci, a reference to this movie's plot surrounding the writing of PAGLIACCI. Gigli, the famous Italian opera singer, stars in what is considered by some to be his finest film. This 1942 film features Gigli in his prime as well as performances conducted by the great Luigi Ricci.DVD Features:Region (unknown)Keep CaseFull Frame - 1.33Audio: (unspecified) - Italian Subtitles - English - Optional
Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005.
For personal use only.
All rights reserved.