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Movie
Scott Joplin
Synopsis
Billy Dee Williams stars as legendary ragtime pianist/composer Scott Joplin in this 1977 biopic. Despite his brilliance, Joplin (1868-1917) was confined by the color of his skin to the dregs of show business in the late 19th century. While competing in a musical contest, Joplin introduces his most famous composition, "The Maple Leaf Rag", thereby commanding the attention of a white music publisher. Offered a ridiculously low price for the song, Joplin nevertheless agrees to sell his composition, figuring that he has a better chance at fame and fortune once he's published. Before long, Ragtime music has become a national craze, and Joplin is rich beyond his wildest dreams. But the composer realizes that his brand of music is not considered respectable, and yearns to write something of more lasting value--a concerto, perhaps, or even an opera. Alas, Joplin's talents begin failing him, and by age 49 he is on the brink of death, a victim of syphilis. Originally made for television by Motown Films, Scott Joplin was released theatrically by Universal Pictures.
Cast
- Billy Dee Williams
- Art Carney
- Clifton Davis
- Margaret Avery
- Eubie Blake
- Godfrey Cambridge
- Seymour Cassel
- DeWayne Jessie
- Mabel King
- Taj Mahal
- Spo-De-Odee
- Denise Gordy
- Samuel Fuller
- David Healy
- Leon Charles
- Fred Pinkard
- Marcus J. Grapes
- Delos V. Smith
- J. Marcus Grapes
- Rita Ross
- David Hubbard
- William M. Hiney
- Patrick Kennedy
- Michael Peters
- Michael Hancock
- Rob Cohen
- Bill Hiney
- Christopher Knopf
- David Ronne
- Bernard Johnson
- David M. Walsh
- Dick Hyman