A famous jazz trumpeter finds himself unable to cope with the problems of everyday life.A famous jazz trumpeter finds himself unable to cope with the problems of everyday life.A famous jazz trumpeter finds himself unable to cope with the problems of everyday life.
Mel Tormé
- Guest Singer at Party
- (as Mel Torme)
Ja'net DuBois
- Martha
- (as Jeanette Du Bois)
Morris D. Erby
- Minor Role
- (as Morris Erby)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAbout an hour into the movie you may notice Morgan Freeman as one of the party guest; his second appearance in a feature film.
- GoofsAlthough the Sammy Davis character is referred to as a trumpet player the only instrument he plays in the film is a cornet.
- Quotes
Claudia Ferguson: [after their confrontation with two racist policemen] That's right. Two jerks came up here to do their job to find you, me and a white boy, which they weren't too thrilled about anyway, and you have to give them some lip. Save your heroism for something important.
Adam Johnson: It was important. Don't you know that, Claudia? Take a piece of you here, a piece of you there, so there's nothing left... except yessah, boss!
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #20.174 (2012)
- SoundtracksAll That Jazz
Music and Lyrics by Benny Carter and Al Stillman
Played over the credits by trumpeter Nathaniel Adderly
Sung at a party by Mel Tormé
Reprised by Mel Tormé at the end of the film
Featured review
Just watched this on Netflix disc with my mom. We both enjoyed this obscure film from 1966 about a jazz musician who suffers ups and downs because of a past he can't escape. Sammy Davis Jr. is Adam Johnson, a trumpeter with a short temper and a messed up social life. Ossie Davis is his club owner friend Nelson, Frank Sinatra Jr. is his Caucasion protégé Vincent, Cicely Tyson is his activist lover Claudia, Louis Armstrong is her grandfather who's also a jazz musician named Willie, and Peter Lawford is his agent Manny. All are very compelling in their roles which takes on many issues with racism and why Adam feels the way he does. Also interesting seeing such up-and-coming stars like Ja'net Du Bois, Johnny Brown (both eventually of "Good Times"), and Lola Falana in some roles. Oh, and the director is Leo Penn, father of Sean Penn. So on that note, I highly recommend A Man Called Adam. Oh, and I also loved Mel Torme doing his thing in one number.
- How long is A Man Called Adam?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime1 hour 44 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1
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