Scott Joplin

1977
PG
1h 36m

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

420

YOUR RATING

Tragedy Biography Drama Music

Details the life story of Scott Joplin and how he became the greatest ragtime composer of all time.Details the life story of Scott Joplin and how he became the greatest ragtime composer of all time.Details the life story of Scott Joplin and how he became the greatest ragtime composer of all time.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

420

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win total

Photos3

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The only other composers mentioned as worthy equals in the film are John Philip Sousa and Ferdinand 'Jelly Roll' Morton.

Goofs
When Joplin visits a dying Chauvin in 1908, there is a toggle light switch on the wall, which wasn't invented until 1916.

Quotes
Belle: I was remembering the time we said we'd marry. Does it embarass you so much to talk about it?
Scott Joplin: Ultimately, you'll see that I was wise not to talk about it.
Belle: You needn't stop talking altogether, you know. I've been made love to before. I know a lot about love. But it wasn't the same with them as it was with you. With you I felt soft and sorry inside. No matter how much you rejected me, I could stand it. Not anymore.

Connections
Featured in TCM Guest Programmer: Billy Dee Williams (2024)

Soundtracks
Hangover Blues
Words & music by Harold Johnson

User reviews10

Featured review

6/10

Another Hidden Genius

I love watching films about historical figures that have made positive and memorable contributions to the world. I especially like such films about figures I'd never heard of before. Even though this movie came out in 1977 I'd never heard of it or Scott Joplin for that matter. And what's so funny is that when the movie started I was thinking, "They're using the same music as The Sting." Little did I know that The Sting was using Scott Joplin's music.

Scott Joplin as a biopic was not as creative as the man himself. It was slow and even uninteresting at times. I'm happy to know of him and his work I just think this docudrama lacked something. I don't know if it needed more conflict, more drama, or just a more compelling figure--I just know it lacked something. I would never call it a bad movie and I'm still glad I watched it.