St. Louis Blues (1958) Starring Nat King Cole & Eartha Kitt | Saturday Morning Feature

[@MPam1619]

Thank you so very, very much for sharing this gem. While i first heard the name WC Handy decades ago, i had no true idea as to who he was and why he was/is so noteworthy. Yes, he is indeed the father of the blues, but more importantly, he is the progenitor of America's ONLY homegrown contribution to the arts as the conductor explains! So timely to find this now as the purveyors of CRT come to power partly in the hopes of erasing TRUE history and all traces of Black contributions to America & the world.

[@tk1950]

Well, not the father of the blues. He just elaborated on the original Delta Blues.

[@Cobbmtngirl]

@@tk1950 google “father of the blues”.

[@deed5049]

Not the ONLY "homegrown" contribution. But I dig your comment.

[@ericwatts4387]

Where did the forms of music called Soul and R&B originate??? Please help me to become more informed=Where did Gospel and even Country music originate??? Could you educate me with the accurate backgrounds of Jazz or even Progressive Jazz ??! Finally the Blues were not the only home grown form of music that originated here in these United Snakes o Amerikkka!!!

[@sherenay3109]

Yeah, they really are trying to erase our contributions, but history speaks for itself.

[@jonathanbigham5198]

Mr Nat King Cole. Master class of Musical talent. Him and the Late great Eartha Kitt. I grew up on Mr . Cole and his Lovely Daudhter Natalie. I have his music especially his Christmas Albums yes, the vinyls as well as Natalies first three Albums. That's right my turntable still hot!! Yeah man, I heard Nat Cole first when I was 4 years old. I am 62 now. And when Natalie came out with the first album I was thirteen going on fouteen with this will be an everlasting love. I became a fan of Miss Eartha when she was Catwoman on the Batman TV series. This Movie has top tier allstar cast. This is my first time everseeing Magnifcent picture. I miss Nat King Cole. I will foreve r be thankful to My GrandDaddy and his Son My Father, My Daddy My Best Friend for turning me on to the Late Great Mr. Nate King Cole. Thank You God for the Dad and Mom that you gave me and things that they have taught and gave me and my siblings. Extremely Grateful.

[@Maria-i3t]

To this day. Mr. Nat Cole is the most magnificent voice I have ever heard.

[@nelliethursday1812]

I love it when technology was able to create him and his daughter sing Unforgettable together ❤️ 💕 💗 💓

[@newbengraham4775]

we have NEVER had another voice like nat king cole.

[@deed5049]

Ain't it the truth?

[@jpang5477]

💯 FACTS

[@pbenson56fran]

Eartha Kitt is playing herself, sassy, beautiful, , classy, and not taking anything. Ms Cat lady herself😊😊😊😊😊

[@blacktreemedia]

So true

[@jacqueogburn8224]

YESSSSSS, Love old Black and white movies especially our beautiful people

[@DeloWillis]

Amen I certainly doooo❤❤❤❤❤ ❤❤❤❤ ❤ 3:20 3:22

[@roxiet7016]

Weare such a genius people.🌟 We Melianated folk bring it!🙌🏾🙏🏾🖤🎼 and bring it again. Grateful for this film..and to think we were subjugated to ride the back of bus and not able to vote or get bank loans for buying houses. Yupp big time America owes us reparations Plus!.. So much degradation by evil thinkers and doer’s.. Love the fabulous cast!❤🙏🏾💜… our dear dear magnificent Ancestors!.. B1fam Research out true magnificent history!. B1fam ♥️🖤💚 Ashe’

[@renecianeneengland9014]

packed w stars pearl bailey mahalia jackson nat cole ruby dee eartha kitt cab calloway ❤❤❤

[@Wages6101]

I grew up on all these artist, feels like a warm cozy blanket every beautiful black movie Black Tree Tv made available to me. Blessings BlackTree TV, I will follow you wherever you go.

[@blacktreemedia]

You just made our day!!! Thank you

[@ROBERTGREENE-k6h]

My Auntie married WC HANDYS SON WYER I VISITED THE HANDY ESTATE AS A YOUNG MAN THIS MOVIE IS GREAT GIFT FOR ME TO LEARN ABOUT MR HANDYS LIFE

[@RllSmitty]

What a great movie.. all star cast... including Billy Preston.. I have always heard he was a child actor.. and how about Cab Callaway playing the bad guy..now that was golden..lol .. love this piece of cinema..❤

[@denisse37921]

I was hoping he would sing at least a little. BUt i'm grateful he is ib the film either way.

[@Gregory-un8wj]

Thank you!

[@jacklynazure689]

This film was wonderful. There are so many great singers and actors. Thank you so much for showing😊

[@gweneverebutler6605]

What an awesome cast!

[@blacktreemedia]

Too much talent in one cast

[@MamaShaysLifeWithFamily]

I’m so glad I found this channel! Beautiful movies with great plots and they didn’t have to take their clothes off.

[@DianeDelaney-tm6fy]

❤

[@kodebruijn4753]

what a treat, those famous artists all in one movie, all still young, I enjoy that, I don't believe in separating people into nations, religions or races, they all can be wonderful. Yeah, I like jazz. But also Bach and afro-cuban. and much more. This movie is a gem! God can be proud.

[@AphmauFan786]

I'm 49 years old and this classic just caught up to me today I watch it with the spirit of my grandma's favorite.today I dance to the blues with her and watch with her eyes.❤

[@DavidBrown-jb7kt]

I enjoy old black-and-white movies, and I like to see more.

[@Gwan-so..]

..my dad use to love this guy “ he sings clear, you can hear every word!” 🤣🤣🤣

[@OptimisticSeagull-kh9sj]

What an amazing voice he had. Black folks ❤

[@kentexican5844]

Wow, what an awesome movie!

[@rolynnsreviews]

I LOVE this movie! Thanks for sharing!

[@pattie-p2x]

OMGoodness, how cute was Billy Preston, and such a great little actor. Who knew some day he would grow up to be called the fifth BEATLES. Thank you so much for sharing this,.

[@ricardoholloway3494]

Love this movie,😅 the old real Black talent and also reminds me of what earth kitt said about narrow minded people as I remember my mother was a talented gospel singer who was persuaded not to expand her gift

[@ricardoholloway3494]

She was told by her parents that singing other music is of the devil 👿

[@jaddae7099]

WOW! Absolutely amazing. I jump in a few mins. ahead to see what was going on here, and Ms. Bailey's opening scene is one talented acting job. "You see me in my Sunday clothes" was hilarious. but when I saw Mahalia Jackson standing next to let alone singing together with Pearl Bailey, and then to suddenly realize where I'd seen that face before, on an older Billy Preston I said I gotta go back to the beginning and that's where I am now... about to watch this entire classic gem of a movie... surely. And Cab and Nat are in it too? OMG! Can't wait

[@sojiadamo5212]

I stayed up wsy passed my bedtime watching glued and quite tearful at the magnificence this film displays. Reading all comments was also a great blessing. This film in particular shows so much about us as a people and the tremendous fight we have globally just to be honestly ourselves. We war so much within trying to fit the narrative of others and else, even with ourselves. African Americans have shown us Black people all over the world and indeed us all all over the world the depth of humanity that is possible and more. My love and respect goes out to those great shining stars that shineso brilliantly in our mothers eyes. This was and is beyond fantastic. 💯🙏🏾❤️🥲

[@tudy4564]

Thank you for St. Louis Blues; my mother had an eclectic collection of music that surely included all of these great performers. I am truly happy to have seen and enjoyed this film.

[@blacktreemedia]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@CharlotteClark-fz4hh]

W C Handy a Memphis TN legend he definitely made a huge impact on the music scene ❤️❤️❤️

[@jacqueogburn8224]

Mahalia Jackson 😮

[@tonyadangerfield8640]

Lovely Lovely Movie Nice To Watch And Listen To A Good Good Movie With Lovely People Of Color In It❤😊❤❤ Thank You!!

[@tabathacooksey6042]

Classic beautiful movie ❤❤❤

[@Cobbmtngirl]

I’m sure I watched this before but the memory wasn’t clear. Super cast. Always love Eartha. Thanks so much for letting us watch it again. ❤it. ✌️💙🎼

[@blacktreemedia]

You are so welcome!

[@dianneelaine157]

Thank you for sharing The best things in life are free

[@blacktreemedia]

Absolutely!

[@SLOtsuji]

I love Earthas dress in her first scene. Fantastic movie, music and actors

[@pbenson56fran]

Wow, he's playing Handy. I didn't know about W C Handy until many years ago. I had the privilege to hear about him in Huntsville Alabama. Every year they had a festival honoring him. Look at the actors in this movie.

[@sherenay3109]

The message in this movie was so powerful and is relevant today.

[@elsie900]

As an Eartha Kitt fan I will watch any movie starring her, even a bad one, but THIS important film deserves to be seen by everyone! So glad you made this available to the world!

[@lisabe4859]

I really enjoyed watching this! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@Sharon-c6i]

Hello you very important and wonderful stars! 💝 Christ lhas. Blessed your careers!

[@osuaccra]

So so beautiful 😢

[@CammieGee]

Great vintage black cinema

[@LyndaJenerett]

This is where I say thank you for allowing me to see this great forgotten movie--just asking

[@blacktreemedia]

Thank you Lynda for hanging out with us. Please come again!

[@WallaceWellons]

BLACK TREE WHAT A GREAT MOVIE .WITH ALL THESE GREAT BLACK LEGENDS .THEY STILL WAS TREATED LIKE 2ND CLASS CITIZENS .

[@lisabaxter7786]

Wow❤😊

[@Blackgodamen26]

I remember watching this legendary movie a very long time ⌛️ ago and now I really understand this 🎬 thanks for bringing back 🙏🏿 memories

[@cMrob73]

Thank you for the upload. Loved it!!!

[@blacktreemedia]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@JCS-qy5he]

What an amazing movie. Thank you so much for sharing and blessing us with this UNSUNG MASTERPIECE! Ruby Dee's face, height and build in this movie, to me, bears an uncanny resemblance to Jasmine Guy.

[@MayGreen-bw8bq]

Nice One

[@blacktreemedia]

Thanks for watching

[@Lucinda-zr9su]

1st saw this great movie on TCM some years ago. I always tried to find a copy of Nat singing "morning star". No success so far. Wonderful story, great acting.

[@josephdaviddefrancis2687]

They were always great. Two of my favorites.

[@shelleychavez1986]

You gave your soul in that intro song! 😁 I’m here for it! 🩵

[@blacktreemedia]

You already know!

[@amcgee0668]

Wonderful✨️

[@KSmall109CAB]

The all-star cast includes the then veteran Afro Puerto Rican actor Juano Hernandez, whose last movie was with Sidney Poitier ("They Call Me Mr. Tibbs).

[@brucescott4261]

NAT "KING" COLE was literally tall, dark and handsome. The latter leads an all-star lineup: Eartha, Ruby, Pearlie Mae, Ella (The First Lady of Song), Juano, Cab, Mahalia (The First Lady of Gospel), Red Callender, Lee Young, Teddy Buckner, Barney Bigard, Roy Glenn, Jester Hairston, Sam McDaniel (Hattie's Brother), George Washington, and an adolescent Billy Preston.

[@mindhack101hostedbyrosewil2]

I found this after thanksgiving, what a gem.

[@rmp9417]

Thank you!!

[@blacktreemedia]

You're welcome!

[@michaellifetv5696]

Great movie 🎥 🎬

[@JosePerez-vz1qq]

Great picture

[@EMC1986Hobi]

I love Nat King Cole

[@DorothyBeasley-e3f]

Wow!

[@jacqueogburn8224]

Pearl Bailey could be Queen Latifahs mother 😂

[@blacktreemedia]

Frfr

[@CynsibleCreations]

😂😂😂I see it!

[@MzJones83]

Down to the deep raspy voice!

[@denisse37921]

She got those vives.

[@mandyharewood886]

THANKS! I was trying to figure out who she looked like.

[@yodalayheehoo5447]

I haven't seen this gem in years! Thank you so very much. ❤ New subscriber, BTW👍🏾

[@blacktreemedia]

Glad we found each other. Glad u enjoyed it

[@arthurralstonwakeupblackpe5940]

Pearl Bailey was one beautiful lady 😍

[@1234pouvez]

You can hear the man himself Mr. W.H.Handy playing his famous song on trumpet on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1948. It is on KZbin.

[@denisse37921]

Ima look that up. thanks.

[@raqueljohn8865]

Lovely 😊

[@blacktreemedia]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@HopeLove7]

Love those movies. Hope they will show them often, but in colour

[@MikeAncrum]

No...please continue to show them just the way they were made in it's original format

[@AntonioMendez-m8z]

The great Nat🤙

[@blacktreemedia]

The great Nat and the great whole cast

[@evonza4858]

I love My Black people 🥰👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@JerryPolanco-y5y]

POWERFUL MOVIE. FIRST TIME I SEE IT. I IDENTIFY WITH IT, BECAUSE I PARTICIPATE IN A SCHOOL BAND AS A TRUMPET PLAYER, BUT SINCE MY FATHER WAS A JEHOVAH WITNESS, HE DISCOURAGED ME BECAUSE HE TOLD ME IT WAS PART OF THE WORLD OF SATAN. NOW I AM 67 I DIDN'T FULLFILLED MY MUSIC DREAM. THE MOVIE MADE ME CRY😢

[@denisse37921]

I like how Ella Fitzgerald is barely even in the movie but they put her name in front of Ruby Dee's name. Crazy huh? That's ok, that's how movies are typecast in today's times as well. Her name was just bigger at the time. Beautiful film.

[@BigMob05]

Little Billy Preston 👍🏾 Mr. Nothing from Nothing.

[@jazznik2]

Love Eartha singing "Chantez Les Bas" at 39:40. Dont know of any other version of this tune. Was this also written by W.C. Handy?

[@Mzbumpy2u]

❤

[@arthurralstonwakeupblackpe5940]

Eartha Kitt was one fine Mama jama ...

[@blacktreemedia]

Eartha Kitt movie today on blacktree premiering soon

[@F4TiMA.]

Wow

[@tk1950]

So many GREAT musicians in this fine film! Though it is not at all an accurate portrayal of the life of W C Handy.

[@blacktreemedia]

How so?

[@ChrissyRees]

He's Nat King Cole and some of his story. He was a shy man who had trouble singing loudly partly because of his beloved father's opinions. He was worried about music in bar rooms being sinful and circumstances too. He changed his mind over time is true. People were mean to him( Nat King ng Cole)when he was little because he was brilliant. My father was his friend and helped him sing his songs louder and so did his father's approval. The women have a half sister, the Indian woman in ' the jungle book '. Both women were mothers of Dr King s family. One was killed in a tragedy in Africa and Nat King Cole s 2nd wife was the other woman, her sister. We lost them both to tragedy at the same time. Drug assaults and invaders of such kinds existed in areas they lived in at the time. He had that pen name in some areas of WH Handy. Stalkers of musicians and bigots thereof have been cruel wherever they go. I looooove these actors and thoroughly enjoyed this because I knew much of it was his story. I adore his music too! 💕❤ Chrissy Comey, Exupery

[@deed5049]

Aśe

[@MARIANSCATLIFFE]

Are you related to Antoine exupery

[@ChrissyRees]

@@MARIANSCATLIFFE Yes I am. He is Lon Chaney's son. Lon Chaney was married to a Redgrave sister, both wonderful people who fought communism arduously in life. Their son is wonderful too. My father was murdered in civil rights movement early 1971. Debonair Robert Taylor was in my life but a short while but I am who I am because of him too. These people in my life were extraordinary Christians in love with life in the right way. Antoine is Lon Chaney's son I described. I was a rather extraordinary preschool genius recovering from an attack ( Nazis)at Cincinnati Childrens hospital. He recorded my thoughts and wrote the' little prince'. He is simply the adult in the situation, lovingly caring for me at the hospital. We have a close relationship. I was literate mentally of alphabet before one, but my little hands didn't practice writing until 2 or 3. I played the piano with one finger until I was 3 and 4, a musical genius. I was ready and completed kindergarten by age 3, words were no problem as I could read at one. I was so blessed to be with people like me raising me and lifted up. We are simply Antoine Exupery, my father and I. We wore combat boots in life because of communism and nazis; but, he served in Vietnam valiantly, helped win the war along with his taller brother ( his fan too), both USMC. 💕 Chrissy Comey, Exupery

[@MARIANSCATLIFFE]

@ChrissyRees you were so blessed by Antoine I loved The Little Prince read to my sons and goodness knows how many have read it or were read to btw the movie with Richard Kiley and Gene Wilder imo is a gem I think Antoine would be proud of it he died too young but what a legacy he left behind

[@ChrissyRees]

@@MARIANSCATLIFFE I was so blessed! Thank you! Complain, you and other fans of my ( our ) book written when I was a preschooler decades ago. Complain, that is, about identity theft not being settled over the rights to my book. Nancy Pelosi is guilty and she ( her friends in corruption) must cooperate with the FEDS. They played a name game and stole. My father ( Antoine) isn't dead but we haven't received a dime yet. Monies need to go to us and our family for a change. Ironically, my genius father thought my inner life at a young age would help people find themselves as it's psychotherapy material too. Complain to your local senator; ours in Ohio is a good one if yours doesn't resonate with proper authorities. Ty, 💕 Chrissy Comey, Exupery

[@kelgow101]

And a young Billy Preston as William? (is this the same Billy Preston of “Will it go round in Circles?” fame)?

[@thankthelord4536]

Yes.

[@Lucinda-zr9su]

Yes indeed!! Can u believe it!!! The things we all learn as time goes by.

[@ariellek4789]

Yes, I'm being deep but flow with me for a minute: When I watch this movie, I think about the struggle between righteous and unrighteous music and how it affects those who hear it. I realize the father was right. he is painted as the villain, controlling and unwavering, but what do you do when you see something others refuse to see. Try your hardest to wake them from their slumber. Look at the music back then that was considered secular and look at the music today and what that music has become, especially in the "black community" in America. This movie is deeply personal to me because it hits very close to home. I remember playing the music from the radio loud in my room as a teenager and dancing and singing to that music..R.Kelly, Puffy, Mary J., TLC, Xscape and so many more, my grandfather yelled at me and told me to turn off that devil's music. I was so angry I screamed back that it wasn't devil's music and that he was just old and out of touch. Now, at almost 40 years old I realize he was 100% correct. Yes, it is possible to be completely passionate about something and still be completely wrong. My grandfather was right, with every generation the music has fallen deeper into debauchery to a point that babies are singing songs adults wouldn't whisper in public just a few years ago. Passion can be shifted from one direction to another just like the wind. It can be formed, perfected, and change course. I still love music and I still dance. I've sung with concert choirs and gospel choirs ,done performances and sung back up behind major gospel artists and I sing in the choir now with my assembly. To this day I don't miss any of the music I used to be so passionate about, because it isn't the genre of music it's the intention behind it that moves me. After that, everything else falls into place. Food for thought...

[@blacktreemedia]

A lot to respond to. I’ll just say the most powerful line in your response is that babies are singing songs today that adults wouldn’t even whisper in the past. So true. I remember getting slapped for repeating My Perogative by Bobby Brown in the back seat of my mom’s car. lol.

[@KeithGThomson]

❤❤😊

[@patoni860]

There is one crucial fact missing about the whole story and that is Memphis Minnie lived on Beale Street at the same time... Loved the movie though🎉

[@blacktreemedia]

Someone needs to tell her story.

[@patoni860]

@blacktreemedia my mother's parents both lived on Beale Street. My grandfather lived on 2nd and Beale... And Rufus Thomas grew up on Beale Street at the same time

[@ebross4236]

She couldn’t wait to go tell the preacher.

[@Danl1960]

It would be equally interesting to see WC. Handy playing the part of Nat King Cole 🤔 or WC Fields

[@pbenson56fran]

Playing on the street is fine. Did she say there's nothing respectable about a musician.😮😮😮😮😮😮 Now now now that's no way to be. Down right disrespectable wanting someone to be as you want them to be. He wasn't doing anything illegal.

[@denisse37921]

That's just the conditioning that has been placed on the world, especially Black ppl through Christianity. I grew up Christian since early childhood & can appreciate how it makes us think twice about wrongdoings; but I can also see how it has pushed black ppl away from our natural divine spirituality.

[@thomasmclean1361]

Thank you humans

[@pbenson56fran]

Sorry, but you may have forgotten one more actor. She played WC Handy's girlfriend. She, in real life, and her husband were both actors.

[@blacktreemedia]

Ruth Carter

[@blacktreemedia]

Didn’t miss her at all. The title only gives us a certain amount of characters and I adore Ruth Carter (I meant Ruby Dee) and Ossie Davis both of whom I met while they were here, the description mentions them as well as Count and others

[@MPam1619]

Ruby Dee!!! Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis were married until the end and they were an INSTITUTION.

[@pbenson56fran]

@@blacktreemedia I apologize for that....Thank you for correcting me....I enjoyed that movie so much....The sound quality of the instruments and the vocals....I was just talking to myself about everything....Thank you again for showing the movie...Wow!!!!

[@1234pouvez]

@@blacktreemedia I have to say Ruth Carter doesn't even sound like Rube Dee. I can't imagine where that came from.

[@OptimisticSeagull-kh9sj]

Ruby Dee would’ve played a solid Dorothy in the Wiz

[@xsiri3022]

LIVING BETTY BOOP EARTHA KITT

[@shelleychavez1986]

Wait! Is that MAHAILIA???? 😍

[@blacktreemedia]

Yep. The cast is loaded.

[@martiemutsch7461]

Little harsh at the beginning.

[@arthurralstonwakeupblackpe5940]

Ruby Dee was a beautiful lady jasmine guy favors her a litte when she was younger ...

[@JohnDoe-yh9tc]

Ms Kitt fine asf! Dayum!

[@blacktreemedia]

Yeah if you see her young and not in Boomerang 🪃 it gives you a whole new perspective of “Marcusssssss”

[@Lemak-j9n]

Hertha K. thé biggest & famous voice...

[@mariapasos7482]

Is the the real picture? Where is the start?

[@blacktreemedia]

I don’t understand

[@MARIANSCATLIFFE]

Latifah should play pearl bailey bko pic dont kmow why she hasnt yet

[@anthonydaniels6166]

The schemers and snakes hang around music artist to feed off them yesterday and today

[@JamesJarrett-qi8wx]

Does Billie Holiday have a bruise on her right shoulder there with Nat King Cole when he's playing the piano

[@JamesJarrett-qi8wx]

I might be mistaken but she kind of looks like Ali The fighter

[@Gregory-yk4wx]

ALL this BLACK talent and was and still is underrated because of Racism sad ignorance 😊😅😂🎉❤

[@MARIANSCATLIFFE]

T rump doesn't help he causes much of it

[@angloaust1575]

Nat and sammy davis both died due to tobacco addiction!

[@simonpapik6365]

I wonder what that Pastor will think of Sexxy Redd now!!!!!

[@blacktreemedia]

Heat attack

[@sekhmetlove8206]

How ignorant religion truly can be, when many in religion do the same as people in world, as they would say;

[@thomasmclean1361]

Free yourself from mental slavery bob marley 😢😢😢😢😢