During the 1960s, two American expatriate jazz musicians living in Paris meet and fall in love with two American tourist girls.During the 1960s, two American expatriate jazz musicians living in Paris meet and fall in love with two American tourist girls.During the 1960s, two American expatriate jazz musicians living in Paris meet and fall in love with two American tourist girls.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 2 nominations total
Guy Pedersen
- Bass Player
- (as Guy Pederson)
Roger Blin
- Guitarist Fausto the Moor
- (uncredited)
Charles Bouillaud
- Luggage Carrier in Train
- (uncredited)
Michel Dacquin
- Guest at Devigne's Party
- (uncredited)
Hélène Dieudonné
- The Pusher
- (uncredited)
Michel Garland
- Club 33 Customer
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaPaul Newman was coached in playing the trombone by Billy Byers, while the playing for Newman on the soundtrack was done by Murray McEachern. Sidney Poitier's tenor sax playing was done by Paul Gonsalves. The soundtrack was recorded May 1-3, 1961 at Reeves Sound Studios in New York City.
- GoofsSome may believe that the mouthpiece ligature on the tenor saxophone that Eddie Cook (Sidney Poitier) plays is upside down. However, in the first scene when the band is playing, it can be seen that the thumbscrew that adjusts the ligature is on the bottom, where it normally would be. It is, therefore, not upside down.
- Crazy credits"Introducing" Serge Reggiani, who by 1961 had been in French films for 20 years and a star at least throughout the 1950s.
- ConnectionsFeatured in A Century of Black Cinema (2003)
- SoundtracksTake The 'A' Train
(uncredited)
Music by Billy Strayhorn
Recorded at Reeves Sound Studios, New York on May 2 & 3, 1961.
Label - United Artists
Featured review
Underrated Gem
Paris Blues (1961)
*** (out of 4)
American Jazz musicians Ram (Paul Newman) and Eddie (Sidney Poitier) are living in Paris where they spend all night practicing their music. Americans Lillian (Joanne Woodward) and Connie (Diahann Carroll) find themselves in Paris on vacation and soon they meet the musicians and sparks fly. The two week vacation soon has Lillian having major feelings for Ram but he knows if he decides to go with her it would mean going away from his love of music.
Paris BLUES comes from director Martin Ritt who made a number of films with Newman but this one here has to be the most underrated. I really don't understand why this film isn't better known because it features a terrific cast and has some outstanding music as well as being a lot more sexual and mature than a lot of films made during this period.
The main reason to watch this are for the performances and especially the chemistry of Newman and Woodward. The couple was already married by the time they made this and that chemistry between them just jumps right off the screen and especially the sexual tension between the two. Newman is very good in his rather grumpy role and he nails that part perfectly but he also nails the romantic side. Poitier is basically playing second fiddle here but it's still a lot of fun seeing him and Newman work together. Carroll is excellent in her supporting role and it was a lot of fun seeing Louis Armstrong.
The Jazz music score is perfect and I thought the film did a terrific job at playing up the Paris nightlife and the life of two musicians who are up all night. I thought the four stars had an excellent chemistry together and it makes for their journey to be quite entertaining. It also doesn't hurt that the film also deals with race relations without beating the viewing over the head. Paris BLUES really deserves to be seen by more people as it's certainly a nice little gem.
*** (out of 4)
American Jazz musicians Ram (Paul Newman) and Eddie (Sidney Poitier) are living in Paris where they spend all night practicing their music. Americans Lillian (Joanne Woodward) and Connie (Diahann Carroll) find themselves in Paris on vacation and soon they meet the musicians and sparks fly. The two week vacation soon has Lillian having major feelings for Ram but he knows if he decides to go with her it would mean going away from his love of music.
Paris BLUES comes from director Martin Ritt who made a number of films with Newman but this one here has to be the most underrated. I really don't understand why this film isn't better known because it features a terrific cast and has some outstanding music as well as being a lot more sexual and mature than a lot of films made during this period.
The main reason to watch this are for the performances and especially the chemistry of Newman and Woodward. The couple was already married by the time they made this and that chemistry between them just jumps right off the screen and especially the sexual tension between the two. Newman is very good in his rather grumpy role and he nails that part perfectly but he also nails the romantic side. Poitier is basically playing second fiddle here but it's still a lot of fun seeing him and Newman work together. Carroll is excellent in her supporting role and it was a lot of fun seeing Louis Armstrong.
The Jazz music score is perfect and I thought the film did a terrific job at playing up the Paris nightlife and the life of two musicians who are up all night. I thought the four stars had an excellent chemistry together and it makes for their journey to be quite entertaining. It also doesn't hurt that the film also deals with race relations without beating the viewing over the head. Paris BLUES really deserves to be seen by more people as it's certainly a nice little gem.
helpful•270
- Michael_Elliott
- Jan 16, 2016
- How long is Paris Blues?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Паризький Блюз
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $1,300,000
- Runtime1 hour 38 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content