Scott Joplin

Billy Dee Williams stars as the King of Ragtime in this musical biopic, with some interesting musical stars.

It's forthright about most of the problems that Joplin faced, although race is rarely mentioned. Dick Hyman plays the piano for Williams, who does some minimal faking on the keys. None of the numbers are played all the way through, although there is a wonderful staging for "Solace", and the ragtime competition at the start is lively and very amusing. Williams is very subdued in his performance, letting himself be upstaged by Art Carney as his publisher, and Clifton James, who gives an excellent performance as Louis Chauvin. Real performers who show up -- it was produced by Motown -- include Eubie Blake, Otis Day, Spo-De-Odee, and the Commodores.