Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser (1988)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Charlotte Zwerin

Release Date:

31 October 1990 (France)

Genre:

Documentary | Biography | Music

Plot:

A documentary film about the life of pianist and jazz great Thelonious Monk. Features live performances by Monk and his band, and interviews with friends and family about the offbeat genius. |

Plot Keywords:

Jazz | Narration | Portrait | Concert Film

Cast

Jimmy Cleveland	...	Himself (trombonist, Thelonious Monk Octet)
Harry Colomby	...	Himself (personal manager)
John Coltrane	...	Himself
Ray Copeland	...	Himself (Thelonious Monk Octet: trumpet) (archive footage)
Nica De Koenigswarter	...	Herself
Tommy Flanagan	...	Himself (duo, piano performance)
Larry Gales	...	Himself (Thelonius Monk Quartet / Thelonious Monk Octet, bass player)
Johnny Griffin	...	Himself (Thelonious Monk Octet, tenor sax)
Barry Harris	...	Himself (duo, piano performance)
Bob Jones	...	Himself (road manager)
Teo Macero	...	Himself (Columbia Records producer)
Thelonious Monk Jr.	...	Himself
Nellie Monk	...	Herself
Thelonious Monk	...	Himself (archive footage)
Frank Paccione	...	Himself-Vocalist (singing voice)
Ben Riley	...	Himself (Thelonious Monk Quartet / Thelonious Monk Octet, drummer)
Charlie Rouse	...	Himself (Thelonious Monk Quartet: saxophone, Thelonious Monk Octet: tenor saxophone) (archive footage)
Phil Woods	...	Himself (Thelonious Monk Octet, alto sax)
Samuel E. Wright	...	Narrator (voice)

Also Known As:

Straight, No Chaser (USA) (short title)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Malpaso Productions

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Usual Suspects (1995)

Soundtrack:

Crepuscule with Nellie

Perhaps interesting if you like the music. As a documentary of little value.

I knew nothing of this musician before seeing the documentary. Afterwards I felt very strongly how closed the circle of jazz-lovers is, I learned very little. This documentary is not an invitation to join them, it is absolutely not meant for 'outsiders'. It is mostly a collection of rare footage for the fans, besides that it is of little value. How important it is to the fans is shown by the high average vote it got before I voted. As a documentary it has no universal appeal. It would be great if it had both: universal appeal and rare footage of the musicians on tour.