Director: Leo Penn
USA | 1966 | Narrative | English | 102 mins
Jazz trumpeter, composer, UVM professor and all-around good guy Ray Vega presents the first in a series of jazz-scored films.
A Man Called Adam features Sammy Davis Jr. in possibly his greatest film role, reinvigorating the character of the “self-destructive jazz musician.” The film boasts a fantastic score by jazz great Benny Carter, with Nat Adderley providing the trumpet solos (mimed by Davis). The supporting cast is a knockout, featuring Louis Armstrong (!!), Ossie Davis and Cicely Tyson, as well as a number of prominent musicians, such as Mel Torme, Kai Winding and George Rhodes. Director Leo Penn does good work, but he’s probably better known for his progeny (Sean and Christoper Penn). Ray will introduce the movie, then be on-hand afterward for a post-screening conversation.
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