Mother Bessie Showtimes: Pick Follow Ups to Amplify Your Enjoyment

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Bessie Smith, the legendary "Empress of the Blues," with Mother Bessie Showtimes. To further enhance your experience, we present a curated selection of follow-ups that will deepen your understanding and appreciation of her life, music, and impact.

Documentaries That Unveil Bessie's Legacy

1. Bessie Smith: American Masters (2015)

Mother Bessie's Showtimes Pick-4 Follow-ups

by Adolph Barr

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1253 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	64 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

This award-winning documentary paints an intimate portrait of Bessie Smith's extraordinary life. Featuring rare archival footage and interviews with music historians, it explores her rise from humble beginnings to her status as a global icon. The film delves into her personal struggles, artistic triumphs, and the influence she had on the blues genre.

2. Bessie (2017)

This biographical film stars Queen Latifah as Bessie Smith. It chronicles her journey from a poor sharecropper's daughter to a trailblazing blues legend. The film portrays her triumphs and tribulations, as well as her enduring impact on the music world. Bessie offers a powerful exploration of her personal life, relationships, and the prejudice she faced as a black woman in the early 20th century.

3. Searching for Bessie Smith (2009)

This documentary takes a unique approach to Bessie Smith's legacy. It follows a group of scholars, musicians, and fans as they retrace her steps and rediscover her music. The film explores the impact of her recordings, the influence of her contemporaries, and her lasting contribution to American popular music.

Historical Perspectives on Bessie Smith's Era

4. The Jazz Age (2019)

This four-part documentary series provides a comprehensive overview of the Jazz Age in America. It delves into the social, cultural, and political landscape that shaped this vibrant era. The series features interviews with historians, musicians, and cultural critics, shedding light on the birth of jazz, its influence on American society, and its enduring legacy.

5. Prohibition (2011)

This historical drama tells the story of the Prohibition era in the United States. The film follows several characters whose lives are affected by the banning of alcohol. Prohibition offers a glimpse into the speakeasies, bootlegging, and social unrest that characterized this tumultuous period. It provides context for Bessie Smith's career, which spanned the height of Prohibition.

6. Harlem Renaissance (2019)

This documentary explores the Harlem Renaissance, a period of cultural and artistic flourishing in the African American community in New York City during the 1920s and 1930s. The film features interviews with scholars, historians, and artists, and showcases the impact of the Harlem Renaissance on music, literature, art, and social consciousness. It deepens our understanding of the cultural context in which Bessie Smith rose to prominence.

Blues Music Documentaries for Further Context

7. The Blues (2003)

This landmark documentary series traces the history of blues music from its origins in the American South to its global impact. The film features performances by legendary blues musicians, interviews with historians and critics, and rare archival footage. It provides a comprehensive exploration of the genre that Bessie Smith helped define and popularize.

8. Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)

This musical comedy sequel to the original Blues Brothers film follows Jake and Elwood Blues as they reunite to stage a concert in Chicago. The film features guest appearances by legendary blues musicians, including B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and Aretha Franklin. Blues Brothers 2000 offers a lighthearted and entertaining exploration of the blues genre and its enduring legacy.

9. Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002)

This documentary celebrates the unsung heroes behind some of Motown's greatest hits. The film profiles the Funk Brothers, a group of session musicians who played on countless Motown recordings. Standing in the Shadows of Motown showcases the virtuosity and influence of these musicians, and provides insights into the creative process behind Motown's legendary sound.

Enhance your Mother Bessie Showtimes experience by exploring these captivating follow-ups. From in-depth documentaries to historical perspectives and blues music explorations, these films will deepen your understanding of Bessie Smith's life, music, and impact. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of her legacy and let these follow-ups amplify your appreciation for the "Empress of the Blues."

Mother Bessie's Showtimes Pick-4 Follow-ups

by Adolph Barr

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1253 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	64 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE