
Will Handy grows up in Memphis with his preacher father and his Aunt Hagar. His father intends for him to use his musical gifts only in church, but he can't stay away from the music of the streets and workers. After he writes a theme song for a local politician, Gogo, a speakeasy singer, convinces Will to be her accompanist. Will is estranged from his father for many years while he writes and publishes many blues songs. At last the family is reunited when Gogo brings them to New York to see Will's music played by a symphony orchestra.
Cast

Nat King Cole
W.C. Handy

Eartha Kitt
Gogo Germaine

Cab Calloway
Blade

Ella Fitzgerald
Singer

Mahalia Jackson
Bessie May

Ruby Dee
Elizabeth

Juano Hernández
Rev. Charles Handy
Teddy Buckner
Musician
Barney Bigard
Musician
George 'Red' Callender
Musician
Lee Young
Musician
George Washington
Musician

Billy Preston
Will Handy as a Boy

Pearl Bailey
Aunt Hagar
Crew
Allen Reisner
Director
Ted Sherdeman
Writer
Robert Smith
Writer, Producer
Eda Warren
Editor
Haskell B. Boggs
Cinematography

Edith Head
Costume Design
Nellie Manley
Hair Designer

Wally Westmore
Makeup Designer

Nelson Riddle
Music
W.C. Handy
Music, Songs
Spencer Williams
Lyricist

Mack David
Lyricist
Martha Koenig
Lyricist

Mercedes Gilbert
Lyricist
Robert R. Benton
Set Decoration

Sam Comer
Set Decoration
Roland Anderson
Art Direction
Hal Pereira
Art Direction
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