LEADBELLY (1976) Pardon Song for Governor Neff

Roger E. Mosley plays blues guitar legend Huddie Ledbetter, Lead Belly. John Henry Faulk plays Governor Pat Neff of Texas. The Governor did pardon Ledbetter.
"Life magazine photographer Gordon Parks directs this biopic about the troubled life of blues singer-guitarist Huddie Ledbetter -- aka Leadbelly -- who spent time behind bars on two separate murder charges and worked on chain gangs in the South."
Director: Gordon Parks
Cast: Roger E. Mosley, Paul Benjamin, Madge Sinclair, Alan Manson, Albert Hall, Art Evans, James Brodhead, John Henry Faulk, Vivian Bonnell, Lynn Hamilton

[@Riddlemewalker]

That actor playing leadbelly is intense. He’s playing for his life.

[@jamietfranklin]

He's outstanding through the movie. Roger E. Mosley

[@adonaiyah2196]

I dont know how he does it so well

[@lw8213]

Isnt Roger E. Mosley CJ, from Magnum @@adonaiyah2196

[@eddiemoore8468]

@@jamietfranklinhe guested once on an episode of Sanford and Son. He was working for Fred and brought in a WATCH BEAR 🐻 for Fred!

[@qtpysusie459]

And, Roger Mosely, Rest in everlasting peace.

[@kingchepellSEUM]

Roger E Moseley Rest Peace !!🎥🎬

[@jamietfranklin]

Rest in Power Mr. Mosley!

[@thequadzillaking]

R.I.P. TC.

[@edschram1140]

Just watched it last night on t.v..👍

[@jerramaurice7836]

I can’t believe this movie did not have a trailer

[@kambalachezine]

The whole movie is for rent on KZbin. I just got the original movie poster for $6. I couldn’t believe it!

[@jamietfranklin]

Isn't it? Gordon Parks in seriously under appreciated, in my humble opinion.

[@mia_theone1252]

I liked this Movie I think Roger Mosley did a outstanding Job!!!! The Movie portrayed so; much!!!!

[@LouisAbbatepaolo]

The moie was very well done. I sort of felt bad that he had such talent and things turned out the way they did. Very sad.

[@tanishadeloach8959]

You can watch it free on Prime

[@jamietfranklin]

good to know! thank you!

[@michaelmace924]

It's such a shame that it took some young white kids to cover these songs before it really went mainstream. There are so many REALLY GREAT blues men that we don't have anything but a scratchy old record to remember them by. Finally in the 70s & 80s we start getting these absolutely bad ass concerts. I'm watching one right now with Etta James & John Lee Hooker, fuckin ROCKS

[@Yang...878]

Stop making this a race thing.

[@razorized]

@@Yang...878 shut the fuck up

[@bryankeys2035]

@@Yang...878 it definitely is a race thing. This is Black American folk music. It took white people to take an interest in it before it got recognized as, “American”

[@Yang...878]

@@bryankeys2035 Anyone can enjoy music, regardless of race. This music is good, idc whether you're white or black, good music is good music. Good music attracts covers, why should it matter if it's white people covering the song?

[@tiarnan76]

why are you bringing skin color into it you race baiter?

[@orbod1470]

The guitar being played during Irene is different to the guitar being played to the Governor, neither guitars are anything like Leadbelly's original Stellas. Movie makers never pay enough attention to the integrity of musical instruments.

[@thatpickingguy]

Those were the 12 strings they could get at the time; it was a 70's biopic after all.

[@Man_fay_the_Bru]

I’d love a Stella…most I can afford is an Alvarez or two…or three or…

[@SkipPlaysStrings]

@@thatpickingguy I would agree with that, but they could at least use the same one for each scene...

[@thatpickingguy]

@@SkipPlaysStrings I do agree with you there lol

[@newking70]

Yeah, I like how in the Buddy Holly movie Gary Busey played a Stratocaster with a rosewood fretboard. 🙄

[@zickscittswinn]

Such a damn good movie!

[@grahamsmith519]

YO THIS GUY WAS ON THE MONEY

[@bobaldo2339]

The line they changed that Leadbelly actually sang was "I'll get you in my dreams".

[@ethanthee3295]

I always though it was "I guess, you're in my dreams."

[@SkipPlaysStrings]

Multiple recordings, I think I've heard both.

[@Contact_Info]

Leadbelly chose the name Mary to appeal to Governor Neff's strong religious beliefs. He felt it may make him think of pardening him more likely. Il

[@Smug_Scrub_88]

Thank you. That's incredible.

[@SkipPlaysStrings]

Indeed he did, he even talks about it in one of his recordings!

[@hilmarwensorra1215]

No Pardon for O.K. Allen ... but in VERY loving memory of Mr. Roger Earl Mosely (1938 - 2022 R.I.P. Gone but NOT forgotten).

[@JaniceCarter-ws7lu]

I want to see this too..I never heard of this

[@jamietfranklin]

It's so good! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKaliJ2cfd2crtEsi=khy3G3035l0Somiu

[@kennethkimbroug8087]

Did anyone else notice that right after the Governor asked what his name was, he turned right around and say " HEY YOU ! " ??? smh

[@grahamsmith519]

I HAD THOUGHT NO ONE BUT ME WATCHED THIS MOVIE BECAUSE EVERYONE I HAD ASKED ABOUT IT SAY THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT

[@srvthesheep4682]

whats it called

[@tracyward7252]

I've been looking for it for a long time. Saw it once when I was very young. Can't find it anywhere!!!

[@tylerhurd9569]

I love blues movies. Its called Leadbelly and it used to be free to watch.

[@kinshayshafra6842]

Me and my dad taped it off tv way back when. Vhs. I'm surprised I found clips on YT

[@tylerstanley578]

Way back when Netflix first started do an instant streaming they had this to watch for free but I haven't seen this movie around for a long time

[@thatpickingguy]

Pretty sure they made it sound like he was playing by recording a guitarist sitting in the same spot and the microphone being in the same spot, then overlapping the two. Its synced really well.

[@qtpysusie459]

This is Campy.

[@diceroller7826]

I remember this scene the most from this movie goodnight Irene and pardon song one of my favorites he was jamin

[@jamietfranklin]

el Maine 13 This whole movie is a national treasure.

[@therealrobbdee672]

@@jamietfranklin what is the name if this movie?

[@jamietfranklin]

@@therealrobbdee672 LEADBELLY directed by Gordon Parks 1976

[@therealrobbdee672]

@@jamietfranklin appreciate that Bro

[@jamietfranklin]

@@therealrobbdee672 www.imdb.com/title/tt0074781/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

[@normbograham]

ledbelly was in prison for stabbing someone in louisiana. Mr Lomax was looking for prison talent, so he could sell records. so, there was an exchange of money with the first pardon. Lomax agreed to vouch for ledbelly, and keep him employed and out of prison. he failed. Ledbelly stabbed someone again in Houston texas, and even mentions this in his midnight special rendition. there might have been drugs involved in the incident. he gets out a second time, because of his talent. he then stabs someone in Chicago, but gets out instantly. if he had no talent, he would have never got out the first time. . Ledbelly died with 100k in the bank, but if you remove all of his violations, he would be worth three times that at his death.

[@SkipPlaysStrings]

The first pardon was before Mr. Lomax, afaik.

[@michaelgaskell2031]

Disgusting scene. Human being being treated like that 😢

[@frednugent2310]

I totally agree however Governor Heff was a man of his word and did pardon Ledbetter before he left the Governors office.

[@mopacwestgate]

How do you figure? He was in prison for Murder...and he was released just like the governor said...you can't even own a guitar in prison these days...Lead Belly led a troubled life,just like so many other artists

[@servantofzardoz]

This was an interpretation from 1976 with 1976 interpretation on it. Who the real guy was and what was happening back then we will never know. He was a murderer we do know that. And he was talented and with enough charm to get a pardon. Love the movie and the legend of the man.

[@gedsoft3793]

Those of us who don't live in caves, actually know an enormous amount about the real Huddie Ledbetter and his actual life.

[@SkipPlaysStrings]

We don't know everything, but we do know quite a bit. We also aren't really sure that he did murder somebody - at least, I can't find the court documents presenting evidence. EDIT: Your point about his winning a pardon still stands, though. And twice!

[@frednugent2310]

Roger Mosley was one hell of a good actor. You left out Ernie Hudson on the movie cast list.

[@WARHON100]

Leadbelly is Hip Hop - put some 808 and auto toon on it

[@tylerhurd9569]

CAREFREE LIFESTYLE brooo

[@ethanthee3295]

Oh God no

[@TheTSGA]

Please don't... That's nothing but that horrible Trap music you're describing that folks love so much... Yuck!

[@bensnell8247]

Hip Hop is singing about being rich, blues is singing about being poor

[@nacionalismoNegro1985]

@@bensnell8247 😆😆😆 são sabe de nada inocente.

[@franksalinas3981]

Governor George Neff Wallace father Of gov.George Wallace finally set Leadbelly free after 13 years in the Pen.

[@jamietfranklin]

Wow again, I didn't know that.

[@martingaspar2245]

Did you notice that Mosley had different guitar in the scene with Governor Neff?

[@Man_fay_the_Bru]

He wouldn’t have been doing as much time as other men when he could still get to play…like any guitar player

[@SkipPlaysStrings]

???

[@higgme1ster]

The red-haired girl is my first cousin.

[@Contact_Info]

Leadbelly chose the name Mary to appeal to Governor Neff's strong religious beliefs. He felt it may make him think of pardening him more likely. I dont believe Wikipedia whwn it says he was released due to overcrowding.

[@user-cd9xk3fo9l]

Ain't that a kick in The Head

[@franksalinas3981]

Governor Neff Wallace was the older brother of Pres.G.W. grandfather Sen. PRESCOTT BUSH.

[@jamietfranklin]

wow, is that right?

[@bandeiraredemanchete3784]

bom filme ?

[@markjcole9263]

Not sure that Neff, a serious Southern Baptist would've smoked cigars. I'd have to research that. But definitely whatever is in that punch, it would not have included alcohol.....

[@grahamsmith519]

THATS THE HUMBLENESS THEY TALK ABOUT @CUE 5:30---HMM

[@davidwhisenant5328]

What is the title of this movie

[@teewalker2811]

some people are so evil and will burn in he'll forever

[@coravisser727]

this is fantastic always some humor love it.

[@nikos8247]

Do prisoners still wear this stupid uniform? Was there a movie about Leadbelly's life??? This man is so important to world music but still poorly appreciated!

[@tylerstanley578]

Yes this man spent most of his life in the Chain Gang and got pardoned through being talented with music Leadbelly have it super rough like most early turn of the century Blues Man

[@jamelholoman9229]

This is what inmate's need now day's

[@SkipPlaysStrings]

@@jamelholoman9229 ???? The prison labor???

[@SkipPlaysStrings]

Yes, actually this is a clip from that movie.

[@ChapzinoTheDon]

The history of this country is to sad

[@jimihendrix1967]

Why is he upset in the end ? Didn't governer set him free ?

[@justinx590]

Because the governor threw his cigar scraps at his feet.

[@justinx590]

Probably would've given a white man a new one. That's my guess

[@jamietfranklin]

Huddie was afraid Neff was just showboating, and then to make him stoop down, and take a mouthed on cigar, was intended as humiliation. But Neff made good!

[@hlewerenz]

The guy who plays leadbelly is good but he's not quite leadbelly

[@yurigargari8700]

Heather Lewerenz i guess you knew leadbelly

[@kcheznyc]

That's T.C. from Magnum P.I.

[@SkipPlaysStrings]

@@yurigargari8700 probably not, but we do have records, and photographs, plenty of them.

[@dantesgivemeablowjobplease]

im so glad that racism isn't as much as it was then because they were slaves

[@PN1296]

Prison. Just a nutha type of slavery

[@bingbong8649]

PennNayme except 99.9% of people there are there as a result of their own actions

[@jamietfranklin]

and that's why so many are thrown in jail, to fulfill the 13th Amendment's loophole.

[@joananthony6323]

@@bingbong8649 That is a ridiculous. Even if it were as high as 99% that would mean 20,000 wrongly incarcerated and some put to death. The only known figure can be for actual exonerations which given the relucance to re-investigate, even if there is DNA which hasn't been tested is likely to be scandalously lower than the real figure.

[@WARHON100]

I like when the good Governor throws the cigar at him at the end - its like throwing money at a women in a strip club - humiliating yet rewarding and socially accepted) Lead Belly2016

[@djkreature]

at a women ? women is plural meaning more than one woman. 😆

[@lilmelvin11]

I am a Southerner who worked for Films, Inc. who distributed this movie in the 1980s when I lived in NYC. Pretty good movie, if somewhat romanticized, of Ledbetter. Roger Mosely did a very good acting job, no doubt about it. Ledbetter was an overrated Blues singer tho. One of the bad side effects of Hollywood movies (i.e., bullshit) then and now is that "Yankees" think that every Southerner had slaves pre-Civil War. It was 1%! The rich people. I never saw such ignorance and self-righteous arrogance about racial politics until I lived in NYC for 5 years. My Dad was as Southern as could be, but he was a pallbearer for 3 funerals for his dark brothers. I heard "ni##er" more often in NYC than I ever heard growing up in the South. Good movie, strong direction by Gordon Parks (his photography books are really really great). But this is a romanticized version. Still cool, tho.

[@dragomiruzelac2227]

Every director is an artist who shapes their creation loosely based on reality. Films are poetic visions, not documents of any time.

[@kcheznyc]

Back when America was great !

[@jamietfranklin]

is that comedy "Big Dog?"

[@kcheznyc]

@@jamietfranklin Don't worry Jamie, when our Lord and Savior Donald Trump gets re-elected you won't be laughing!

[@jamietfranklin]

@@kcheznyc I'm not laughing now. Takes a special troll to troll a film clip. Have at it Haus.

[@wildbill8175]

Let's go Brandon!