Will Handy grows up in Memphis with his preacher father and his Aunt Hagar. His father intends for him to use his musical gifts only in church, but he can't stay away from the music of the streets and workers. After he writes a theme song for a local politician, Gogo, a speakeasy singer, convinces Will to be her accompanist. Will is estranged from his father for many years while he writes and publishes many blues songs. At last the family is reunited when Gogo brings them to New York to see Will's music played by a symphony orchestra.
Cast
Nat King Cole
W.C. Handy
Eartha Kitt
Gogo Germaine
Cab Calloway
Blade
Ella Fitzgerald
Singer
Mahalia Jackson
Bessie May
Ruby Dee
Elizabeth
Juano Hernández
Rev. Charles Handy
Teddy Buckner
Musician
Barney Bigard
Musician
George 'Red' Callender
Musician
Lee Young
Musician
George Washington
Musician
Billy Preston
Will Handy as a Boy
Pearl Bailey
Aunt Hagar
Crew
Allen Reisner
Director
Ted Sherdeman
Writer
Robert Smith
Writer, Producer
Eda Warren
Editor
Haskell B. Boggs
Cinematography
Edith Head
Costume Design
Nellie Manley
Hair Designer
Wally Westmore
Makeup Designer
Nelson Riddle
Music
W.C. Handy
Music, Songs
Mack David
Lyricist
Martha Koenig
Lyricist
Spencer Williams
Lyricist
Mercedes Gilbert
Lyricist
Robert R. Benton
Set Decoration
Sam Comer
Set Decoration
Roland Anderson
Art Direction
Hal Pereira
Art Direction
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