Scott Joplin (1977)

Director:

Jeremy Kagan

Writer:

Christopher Knopf (written by)

Release Date:

30 December 1977 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Music

Tagline:

Scott Joplin's Ragtime Music Portrayed American Life.

Plot:

Details the life story of Scott Joplin and how he became the greatest ragtime composer of all time. |

Plot Keywords:

Composer | Ragtime | African American | Period Piece | Pianist

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Billy Dee Williams	...	Scott Joplin
Clifton Davis	...	Chauvin
Margaret Avery	...	Belle Joplin
Eubie Blake	...	Will Williams
Godfrey Cambridge	...	Tom Turpin
Seymour Cassel	...	Dr. Jaelki
Otis Day	...	John The Baptist
Mabel King	...	Madam Amy
Taj Mahal	...	Poor Alfred
Spo-De-Odee	...	Left Hand of God
Art Carney	...	John Stark
David Healy	...	Sam Bundler
Samuel Fuller	...	Impresario
Leon Charles	...	Liebling
Fred Pinkard	...	Dr. Adams

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

USA:PG (certificate #24742)

Company:

Motown Productions

Quotes:

John: You were overpowered by the extravagance of sound, the sheer weight of volume. Your music was never meant to compete at that level. It was just never heard.
Scott: Well, it will be heard! If volume is what they want, volume is what they'll get!
John: What are you talking about?
Scott: I'm going to write an opera.
John: An opera?
Scott: An opera in ragtime. A ragtime opera.
John: Why?
Scott: Because it is right!

Joplin Opportunity

I agree with the previous 2 reviewers, but I feel Joplin is still largely unappreciated within the USA. His music will last like that of Chopin, Verdi and the other sublime masters. I have been a professional musician for over 50 years and find Joplin's music as addictive as Bach or Mozart, especially since I am an American with classical, jazz and ragtime chops.

Any producers that can read this might consider a movie of Joplin's opera, which I have heard live and still get chills from thinking about it. In the same vein, the great American composer, Louis Gottschalk is also not widely known and appreciated. Gottschalk out ranked Chopin in Paris, France at one special time in the history of music. Perhaps the Indie film folks might also consider a film on Gottschalk, who was larger than life as was Joplin.