Marketic It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Aedonerre I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

Livestonth I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

MartinHafer This is a pleasant film about (in some ways) the life of W.C. Handy. Mostly it's watchable because the leading man, Nat King Cole, was very assured in this role and because his voice was heavenly. It also didn't hurt that you get to see performances by great Black performers such as Ertha Kitt, Ella Fitzgerald, Mahalia Jackson, Pearl Bailey and Cab Calloway (though Calloway never gets to sing in the film).Many of the real life incidents in W.C. Handy's life are present in this movie--and many are twisted an misrepresented for the sake of making an entertaining film. On one hand, Handy's father DID protest against his son playing 'devil music' and pushed him to only play church music. But on the other, in a VERY egregious manipulation of the facts, young Handy goes blind--possibly because he defied his father. In real life, while Handy DID go blind, it was at the age of 70 after he fell from a subway platform and hit his head!! In the film, it happens when he's in his 20s and only is restored when he plays church music once again!!! Utter clap-trap!! My advice is DON'T watch the film as history--watch it for its entertainment value. It's quite watchable and it's a shame Cole didn't get other starring roles, as he was very good.By the way, if you do watch this film, I also suggest you watch "The Waterboy" with Adam Sandler as well as "The Jazz Singer"! It's actually very, very funny how much these three films are alike--something you'd never expect!! In particular, it's just about the exact same plot as "The Jazz Singer"--but it's also a lot better!! Seriously. Also, the little kid who plays W.C. at the beginning of the film is Billy Preston--who later went on to some fame as a session musician with such stars as Sam Cooke and the Beatles (some call him the 'fifth Beatle' because of his work on their albums) and ultimately made a name for himself as a solo act.

ol_yng_man I really enjoyed this movie. And it was really nice seeing my all-time favorite singer, Mahalia Jackson, use her acting skills. Also, Pearl Bailey was very funny in this film- the protective aunt, as I would call her. Eartha Kitt was great and very believable- she really played the part! Nat "King" Cole, to me, still seemed a little shy on camera, but I was told that he was a shy individual. Young Billy Preston did very well with his acting and he "tore up" that organ- as he is already known for doing. There just aren't any words that I can use to describe my feelings for this video, except for it's awesome, great, and fantastic!I give it an A+++

lennyb123 A terrific cast, which depicted Southern Black religious traditions and values versus changing times for true opportunity (in the early days). It's a heartfelt movie suitable for the entire family, and should be a suggested viewing in school (if not already).

mcadogan Black casted movies are a rarity in and of themselves, but one with such mega stars of old was so very uplifting! The movie was made by blacks for blacks and had a plot, story-line and theme that blacks can indeed relate to with pride dignity and a sense of self-esteem. The movie is one that you can watch over and over again and get something more out of it each and every time. It deals with human weaknesses and pitfalls such as are common to man; but finishes on a high note of strength and victory because of faith in and love for God and perseverance.