| Description |
1 videodisc (109 min.) : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in. |
| System Details |
DVD, NTSC; region 1; anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1) presentation; Dolby Digital 5.1 surround (English), Dolby Digital surround (French). |
| Cast |
Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright, Gabrielle Union, Columbus Short, Cedric the Entertainer, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Eamonn Walker, Mos Def, Beyoncé Knowles. |
| Credits |
Director of photography, Anastas Michos ; editor, Peter C. Frank ; music producer, Steve Jordan ; original score, Terence Blanchard. |
| Note |
Originally released as a motion picture in 2008. |
| Contents |
Special features: Optional audio commentary with writer/director Darnell Martin ; deleted scenes; [featurette:] Playing Chess: the making of Cadillac Records; [featurette:] Once upon a blues: Cadillac Records by design. |
| Summary |
Chess Records was located on the south side of Chicago. In 1947, it began recording blues music with Muddy Waters and Little Walter. This eventually gave birth to rock and roll in 1955 with Chuck Berry. Record producer Leonard Chess has an ear for this different type of music and believes he can cash in by signing up new talent such as songwriter Willie Dixon, Howlin' Wolf, and Etta James. Chess makes all of his artists part of his family and takes care of them. This is not easy since they spend a small fortune on booze, drugs, and the high life. When Chuck Berry goes to jail, Leonard is able to find another talented performer, Etta James, to take his place. In the late sixties, as their music goes out of favor, Leonard Chess gets out of the record business. |
| Audience |
MPAA rating: R; for pervasive language and some sexuality. |
| Language |
English or dubbed French dialogue ; optional English or French subtitles ; closed-captioned. |
| Note |
GMD: videorecording. |
| Subject |
Chess Records (Firm) -- Drama.
|
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Chess, Leonard, 1917-1969 -- Drama.
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James, Etta, 1938-2012 -- Drama.
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Muddy Waters, 1915-1983 -- Drama.
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Howlin' Wolf, 1910-1976 -- Drama.
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Dixon, Willie, 1915-1992 -- Drama.
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Sound recording executives and producers -- Illinois -- Chicago -- Drama.
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Blues (Music) -- Illinois -- Chicago -- Drama.
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Rock music -- Illinois -- Chicago -- Drama.
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| Genre/Form |
Biographical films.
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Musical films.
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Fiction films.
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Feature films.
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Video recordings for the hearing impaired.
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| Added Author |
Lack, Andrew. Producer.
|
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Sondervan, Sofia. Producer.
|
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Martin, Darnell. Director. Screenwriter.
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Brody, Adrien. Actor.
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Wright, Jeffrey (Jeffrey Charles), 1965- Actor.
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Beyoncé, 1981- Actor.
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Union, Gabrielle. Actor.
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Short, Columbus, 1982- Actor.
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Cedric, the Entertainer, 1965- Actor.
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Chriqui, Emmanuelle, 1977- Actor.
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Walker, Eamonn. Actor.
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Mos Def (Rapper) Actor.
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Chess, Marshall, 1942-
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Blanchard, Terence.
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Parkwood Pictures (Firm)
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Sony Music Film (Firm)
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Tri-Star Pictures.
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Head Hunters, Inc. (Firm)
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Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (Firm)
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| ISBN |
1435953983 |
|
9781435953987 |
| Standard No. |
043396294660 |
|
043396294684 |
| Music No. |
29466 Sony Pictures Home Entertainment |
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