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Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer (2007)

Director: Robbie Cavolina, Ian McCrudden

4

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3 reviews

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From Time Out New York

Not that you’d expect a jazz singer’s life to be without excess, but Anita O’Day certainly had more than her share of high times and hard times, to reference the title of her autobiography. Robbie Cavolina (O’Day’s manager for a brief period) and Ian McCrudden supply plenty of both in this satisfying portrait of the canary, best known for her extraordinary rendition of “Sweet Georgia Brown” at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival.

Addictions (primarily a 20-year romance with heroin) and jail time led to the nickname “the Jezebel of Jazz,” and provided the meat for a series of TV interviews from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, part of the remarkable trove of archival footage included here. Dick Cavett politely asks O’Day, “Could you work when you were on the hard stuff?” But smug Bryant Gumbel’s badgering leads the normally unflappable songstress to gnash her formidable teeth. You’ll marvel at her displays of “rhythmic exhibitionism” seen in performances in Sweden and Japan and admire the handsome graphics used to announce the talking heads, such as wry cabaret expert (and TONY contributor) James Gavin. The pretty packaging makes the horrendous visual quality of the interview footage shot shortly before O’Day died in 2006 all the more glaring, but even that is mitigated by what comes out of her mouth.

Author: Melissa Anderson 2008-08-12 18:04:21

Time Out New York Issue 672: August 14 - 20, 2008

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User reviews of this film

  • nusn said...
    Posted on Sep 02 2008 14:49 reply to Prescott:
    If true, I am glad O'Day's right wing and religious agenda did not appear in the film. I suppose one could enjoy a Charlton Heston film even if his right wing and NRA political views was anathema to the viewer. Also, the filmmakers of ANita O'Day wre wise to stick to her music and personality which can be and were riveting regardless of whatever misguided politics she espoused off the stage. Musical and other entertainment talents can be appreciated apart from the politics of the entertainer, and it seems entertainers should be careful in drawing on their celebrity in the political arena.
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  • prescott said...
    Posted on Sep 02 2008 02:05 I am shocked at the review of the Anita Bryant documentary by nusn. She devastated the gay community with her conservative right wing and religious agenda and the film didn't even bring that up.
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  • nusn said...
    Posted on Aug 31 2008 19:11 Excellent portrait of one of the best jazz singers ever. The musical performances add immensely to the enjoyment. O'Day's personality -- winning & positive -- adds more. The film is well-paced, moves quickly and is full of life's truths as reflected partly through talking heads, but best by O'Day in various interviews. The audience was very engaged, even booing a tres judgmental Bryant Gumble in a clip from an old interview with Anita O'Day. This is a 5.5 out of 6, if not a 6 star.
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Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer

Cast & crew

Director: Robbie Cavolina, Ian McCrudden

Rated: NR

Duration: 91 mins

US Release: Aug 15 2008


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