A young black pianist becomes embroiled in the lives of an upper-class white family set among the racial tensions, infidelity, violence and other nostalgic events in early 1900s New York City.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- Nominated for 8 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 14 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| James Cagney | ... |
New York Police Commissioner Rhinelander Waldo
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| Brad Dourif | ... |
Younger Brother
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| Moses Gunn | ... |
Booker T. Washington
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| Elizabeth McGovern | ... |
Evelyn Nesbit
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| Kenneth McMillan | ... |
Willie Conklin
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| Pat O'Brien | ... |
Delmas
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| Donald O'Connor | ... |
Evelyn's Dance Instructor
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| James Olson | ... |
Father
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| Mandy Patinkin | ... |
Tateh
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| Howard E. Rollins Jr. | ... |
Coalhouse Walker Jr.
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| Mary Steenburgen | ... |
Mother
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| Debbie Allen | ... |
Sarah
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| Jeffrey DeMunn | ... |
Houdini
(as Jeff Demunn)
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| Robert Joy | ... |
Henry Thaw
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| Norman Mailer | ... |
Stanford White
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| Bruce Boa | ... |
Jerome
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Hoolihand Burke | ... |
Brigit
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Norman Chancer | ... |
Gent No. 1 - Agent
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| Edwin Cooper | ... |
Grandfather
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| Jeff Daniels | ... |
P.C. O'Donnell
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| Fran Drescher | ... |
Mameh
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| Frankie Faison | ... |
Gang Member No. 1
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| Hal Galili | ... |
Police Captain No. 1
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| Alan Gifford | ... |
Judge
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| Richard Griffiths | ... |
Delmas' Assistant No. 1
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| Samuel L. Jackson | ... |
Gang Member No. 2
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| Michael Jeter | ... |
Special Reporter
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| Calvin Levels | ... |
Gang Member No. 3
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| Bessie Love | ... |
Old Lady - T.O.C.
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| Christopher Malcolm | ... |
Police Captain No. 2
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Herman Meckler | ... |
Vernon Elliott
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Billy J. Mitchell | ... |
Delmas' Assistant No. 2
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Jenny Nichols | ... |
Little Girl
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Max Nichols | ... |
Little Boy
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| Zack Norman | ... |
Gent No. 2 - Manager
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Eloise Taylor | ... |
Mrs. Thaw
(as Eloise O'Brien)
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Don Plumley | ... |
Inspector McNeil
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| Ted Ross | ... |
Black Lawyer
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| Dorsey Wright | ... |
Gang Member No. 4
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| Robert Arden | ... |
Foreman of the Jury
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Robert Boyd | ... |
Teddy Roosevelt
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Thomas A. Carlin | ... |
Vice President Fairbanks
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John Clarkson | ... |
Plainclothes Detective No. 1
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Brian F. Dean | ... |
Fireman No. 1
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| Harry Ditson | ... |
County Clerk
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Robert Dorning | ... |
Gent with Stanford White
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Geoffrey Greenhill | ... |
Police Guard - T.O.C.
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Ray Hassett | ... |
Policeman No. 12
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Robert Hitt | ... |
Plainclothes Detective No. 2
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Rodney James | ... |
Sleek Male Dancer
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| George Harris | ... |
Band Leader - Clef Club
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George J. Manos | ... |
Novelty Shop Storeman
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Val Pringle | ... |
Clef Club Manager
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Ron Weyand | ... |
Dr. Muller
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Sonny Abagnale | ... |
Evelyn's Driver
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John Alderson | ... |
Waldo's Aide No. 1
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| Nesbitt Blaisdell | ... |
Policeman No. 5
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Chaim Blatter | ... |
Rabbi
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Donald Bisset | ... |
J.P. Morgan
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| Josh Clark | ... |
Fireman No. 3
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Robert Coffin | ... |
Desk Clerk
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Patrick Connor | ... |
Waldo's Aide No. 3
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Joel Cutrara | ... |
Policeman No. 11
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Jake Dengel | ... |
Fireman No. 2
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| Barry Dennen | ... |
Stage Manager
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Natalia Dobrer | ... |
Woman No. 1
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Daniel Foley | ... |
Stock Reporter
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| Gretchen Franklin | ... |
Elderly Woman
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| Pat Gorman | ... |
Thug No. 2
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Guy Gregory | ... |
Black Butler No. 2
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Dave Griffiths | ... |
Thug No. 1
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| Jeff Harding | ... |
Policeman No. 13
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| Robert Henderson | ... |
Elderly Man
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| Colette Hiller | ... |
Lawyer's Female Companion No. 1
(as Collette Hiller)
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Patrick M. Hughes | ... |
Policeman No. 7
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Elaine Ives-Cameron | ... |
Lawyer's Female Companion No. 2
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| Andreas Katsulas | ... |
Policeman #3
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Douglas Lambert | ... |
Police Sergeant
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| Pavel Landovský | ... |
Solomon Peretz
(as Pavel Landovsky)
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Norris Mailer | ... |
Lady with Stanford White
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Derek Martin | ... |
Waldo's Aide No. 2
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| Al Matthews | ... |
Maitre D'
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| Stuart Milligan | ... |
Marksman
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| Richard Oldfield | ... |
Stock Reporter
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Nelly Polissky | ... |
Woman in Window
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Mike Potter | ... |
Thug No. 4
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Anthony Powell | ... |
Policeman No, 9
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| Ethan Phillips | ... |
Guard at Family House
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| Joe Praml | ... |
Policeman No. 8
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| John Ratzenberger | ... |
Policeman
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Bill Reimbold | ... |
Gent No. 3 - Lawyer
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| Bob Sherman | ... |
Policeman No. 10
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| Tony Sibbald | ... |
Stock Reporter
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| Stan Simmons | ... |
Thug No. 3
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| John Sterland | ... |
Library Guard
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| Jan Tríska | ... |
Special Reporter
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| Burnell Tucker | ... |
Reporter
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Britt Walker | ... |
Black Butler No. 1
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Peter Whitman | ... |
Stock Reporter
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Edward Wiley | ... |
Conductor
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Russell Brook | ... |
Onlooker (uncredited)
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| John Carrafa | ... |
Dancer (uncredited)
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Nancy Cohen | ... |
Female Diner (uncredited)
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| Harry Fielder | ... |
Cop (uncredited)
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| Jim Fitzpatrick | ... |
Bail Clerk (uncredited)
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| Robert Hallak | ... |
Phillip (uncredited)
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Barrie Holland | ... |
Pinkerton Detective (uncredited)
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Warren Kliewer | ... |
Man (uncredited)
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| Derek Lyons | ... |
Assassin's Best Friend (uncredited)
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Louis Marino | ... |
Jimmy Boy Stole Bread and Fallen Horse Scene (uncredited)
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Cathy Munroe | ... |
Champagne Dancer (uncredited)
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| Chris Parsons | ... |
Lower Class Workman (uncredited)
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| Frank Patton III | ... |
Arresting Police Officer (uncredited)
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| Billie Perkins | ... |
Stroller (uncredited)
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Ilana Rapp | ... |
Sister (uncredited)
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| Guy Standeven | ... |
Householder (uncredited)
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Ellen Stretton | ... |
Bit Part (uncredited)
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Judi Trott | ... |
Chorus Girl (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Milos Forman | ||
Written by
| E.L. Doctorow | ... | (based on the novel by) |
| Michael Weller | ... | (screenplay) |
| Heinrich von Kleist | ... | (story "Michael Kohlhaas") (uncredited) |
Produced by
| Dino De Laurentiis | ... | producer |
| Michael Hausman | ... | executive producer |
| Fred Sidewater | ... | associate producer (as Fredric M. Sidewater) |
| Bernard Williams | ... | executive producer |
Music by
| Randy Newman | ||
Cinematography by
| Miroslav Ondrícek | ... | director of photography |
Editorial Department
| Anne V. Coates | ... | film editor: UK |
| Nena Danevic | ... | associate editor: USA |
| Roberta Friedman | ... | post-production coordinator: USA |
| Leslie Gaulin | ... | assistant editor: USA |
| Antony Gibbs | ... | film editor: UK |
| Peter Honess | ... | assistant editor: UK |
| Chris Kelly | ... | assistant editor: UK |
| Patrick Moore | ... | assistant editor: UK |
| Patrick Mullins | ... | assistant editor: USA |
| Stanley Warnow | ... | film editor: USA |
| Tom Aberg | ... | assistant editor (uncredited) |
| Debra Bard | ... | assistant editor (uncredited) |
| Judith Blume | ... | apprentice editor (uncredited) |
| Lisa Zeno Churgin | ... | first assistant editor (uncredited) |
| John Murray | ... | assistant editor (uncredited) |
Casting By
| Mary Goldberg | ... | casting: director: USA |
Production Design by
| John Graysmark | ||
Art Direction by
| John Dapper | ||
Costume Design by
| Anna Hill Johnstone | ||
Makeup Department
| Frank Bianco | ... | hairdresser: USA |
| Enrico A. Cortese | ... | additional make-up artist (as Enrico Cortese) |
| Joe Cuervo | ... | makeup artist: USA |
| Paul Engelen | ... | makeup artist: UK |
| Peter Frampton | ... | makeup artist: UK |
| Bob Grimaldi | ... | hairdresser: USA (as Robert Grimaldi) |
| Stephanie Hall | ... | hairdresser: UK |
| Max Henriquez | ... | makeup artist: USA |
| Colin Jamison | ... | hairdresser: UK |
| Leonard | ... | hair (as Leonard of London) |
Production Management
| Malcolm J. Christopher | ... | production manager: UK (as Malcolm Christopher) |
| Patricia Churchill | ... | production manager: USA (as Pat Churchill) |
| Richard Brick | ... | assistant unit production manager (uncredited) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Andy Armstrong | ... | second assistant director: UK |
| Michael Hausman | ... | first assistant director |
| Michael Stevenson | ... | second assistant director: UK |
| Joel Tuber | ... | second assistant director: USA |
| Ken Tuohy | ... | second assistant director: UK (as Ken Touhy) |
Art Department
| May Callas | ... | assistant art director: USA |
| Joseph M. Caracciolo Jr. | ... | property master (as Joe Caracciolo Jr.) |
| Ted Clements | ... | assistant art director: UK |
| David Coley | ... | carpenter |
| George DeTitta Jr. | ... | set decorator: USA (as George De Titta Jr.) |
| George DeTitta Sr. | ... | set decorator: USA (as George De Titta Sr.) |
| Edward Garzero | ... | scenic artist: USA |
| Bert Hearn | ... | property master: UK |
| Peter Howitt | ... | set decorator: UK |
| John Lanzer | ... | property buyer: UK |
| Ted Michell | ... | scenic artist: UK |
| Carlos Quiles | ... | construction manager: USA (as Carlos Quiles Sr.) |
| Tony Reading | ... | art director: UK (as Anthony Reading) |
| Vic Simpson | ... | construction manager: UK |
| Steve Spence | ... | assistant art director: UK |
| Patrizia von Brandenstein | ... | art director: USA (as Patrizia Von Brandenstein) |
| Joe Williams Sr. | ... | head construction grip: USA |
| Andy Aitken | ... | plasterer (uncredited) |
| Michael Boone | ... | draughtsman (uncredited) |
| John Chisholm | ... | property master (uncredited) |
| Mick Chubbock | ... | plasterer (uncredited) |
| John Dapper | ... | assistant art director: USA (uncredited) |
| Gerald DeTitta | ... | set dresser (uncredited) |
| Michael Guyett | ... | scenic painter (uncredited) |
| Patricia Johnson | ... | draughtsman (uncredited) |
| Michael Law | ... | carpenter (uncredited) |
| Dennis Murray | ... | plasterer (uncredited) |
| Roy Pembrooke | ... | props: UK (uncredited) |
| Richard Shelton | ... | painter (uncredited) |
| Paul Wolstencroft | ... | stage hand (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Terry Busby | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Rowland Fowles | ... | boom operator: UK |
| Nigel Galt | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Gerry Humphreys | ... | dubbing mixer |
| Archie Ludski | ... | sound editor |
| Dennis Maitland II | ... | boom operator: USA |
| Christopher Newman | ... | sound mixer (as Chris Newman) |
| Ken Weston | ... | boom operator: UK |
| Les Wiggins | ... | sound editor |
| Donald C. Rogers | ... | technical director of sound (uncredited) |
| Greg P. Russell | ... | sound recordist (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Edward Drohan | ... | special effects supervisor: USA (as Ed Drohan) |
| George Gibbs | ... | special effects supervisor: UK |
Visual Effects by
| Charles Staffell | ... | process photography (as Charles D. Staffell) |
Stunts
| Joe Cirillo | ... | stunt fireman |
| Nicholas J. Giangiulio | ... | stunt fireman (as Nick Giangiulio) |
| Victor Magnotta | ... | stunt co-ordinator (as Vic Magnotta) |
| Lisa Cain | ... | stunt performer (uncredited) |
| Frank Ferrara | ... | stunt fireman (uncredited) |
| Scott Interrante | ... | stunt double: Houdini (uncredited) |
| Steve James | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Harvey Parry | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| James Randi | ... | stunt coordinator: Houdini (uncredited) |
| Konrad Sheehan | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Tony Cridlin | ... | camera grip: UK |
| Bill Gerardo | ... | assistant camera |
| Vinnie Gerardo | ... | camera assistant: USA |
| Maurice Gillett | ... | gaffer electrician: UK (as Maurice Gillette) |
| Ronald M. Lautore | ... | second camera operator: USA |
| Peter MacDonald | ... | second camera operator: UK |
| Mary Ellen Mark | ... | special photographer |
| Douglas Milsome | ... | camera assistant: UK |
| Muky | ... | still cameraman (as Muky Muncasi) |
| Bob Penn | ... | still cameraman |
| Tom Priestley Jr. | ... | camera operator (as Thomas A. Priestley Jr.) |
| Richard Quinlan | ... | gaffer electrician: USA |
| Ed Quinn | ... | key grip |
| Alan Barry | ... | best boy (uncredited) |
| Gary Cross | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
| Paul Kenward | ... | clapper loader (uncredited) |
| Billy Kerwick | ... | grip (uncredited) |
| Billy Malone | ... | second assistant camera (uncredited) |
| Micky Wilson | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
| Jimmy Worley | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Maggie Cartier | ... | casting: UK |
| Pat Golden | ... | casting associate: USA (as Patricia Golden) |
| David Rubin | ... | casting assistant (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Ron Beck | ... | wardrobe supervisor: UK |
| John Boyt | ... | assistant costume designer: USA |
| Bill Christians | ... | wardrobe assistant: USA |
| Peggy Farrell | ... | assistant costume designer: USA |
| Ian Hickinbotham | ... | wardrobe assistant: UK (as Ian Hickinbottom) |
| Marilyn Putnam | ... | wardrobe supervisor: USA |
| Janet Tebrooke | ... | wardrobe assistant: UK |
| Guy Tanno | ... | wardrober (uncredited) |
| Sue Wain | ... | wardrobe assistant (uncredited) |
Location Management
| Richard Brick | ... | location manager: USA |
| Carol Cuddy | ... | location co-ordinator: USA |
| Christopher Goode | ... | location co-ordinator: USA |
| Shawn Hausman | ... | location co-ordinator: USA |
| Reggie Life | ... | location co-ordinator: USA (as Regge Life) |
| Lee R. Mayes | ... | location co-ordinator: USA (as Lee Mayes) |
| Terry Needham | ... | location manager: UK |
| David Ticotin | ... | location co-ordinator: USA |
| Art Smith Jr. | ... | location assistant (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Stanley Cowell | ... | music coach: Mr. Rollins |
| Jack Hayes | ... | orchestrator |
| Gilbert Marouani | ... | music consultant |
| John Strauss | ... | music editor |
| Malcolm McNab | ... | musician: trumpet soloist (uncredited) |
| Tommy Tedesco | ... | musician: guitar (uncredited) |
| Louise Di Tullio | ... | musician: flute (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Martha Pinson | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| James Fanning | ... | transport captain: USA (as James J. Fanning) |
| Gerald Makein | ... | transport captain: UK |
| Patrick Hogan | ... | driver (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Gordon Arnell | ... | unit publicist |
| Len Barnard | ... | supervising accountant |
| Mary Breen-Farrelly | ... | production accountant |
| June Broom | ... | publicity assistant |
| Dino De Laurentiis | ... | presenter |
| Martha De Laurentiis | ... | assistant accountant: NY (as Martha Schumacher) |
| Terry Gilbert | ... | assistant choreographer |
| Miroslav Hájek | ... | consultant: Mr. Forman |
| Ernie Karpeles | ... | Animal Handler |
| Adeline Leonard Seakwood | ... | production office coordinator: USA |
| Marilyse Morgan | ... | production secretary: UK |
| Charles Musser | ... | researcher |
| Amy Ness | ... | assistant: Mr. Forman |
| Golda Offenheim | ... | production co-ordinator |
| Twyla Tharp | ... | choreographer |
| Marge Zimmerman | ... | assistant: Mr. Cagney |
| Randall Balsmeyer | ... | title designer (uncredited) |
| Dick Delson | ... | national director of publicity (uncredited) |
| Robin Demetriou | ... | cast and crew chef (uncredited) |
| Hector Freeman | ... | production staff (uncredited) |
| Daniel J. Heffner | ... | researcher (uncredited) |
| Ernie Karpeles | ... | animal wrangler (uncredited) |
| Doug Loranger | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
| Josef Lustig | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
| Ooty Moorehead | ... | craft service (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- Dino De Laurentiis Company (A Milos Forman Film) (presents)
- Sunley Productions Ltd.
Distributors
- Paramount Pictures (1981) (United States) (theatrical) (as Paramount) (A Gulf + Western Company)
- Columbia-EMI-Warner (1981) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Giada International (1981) (Italy) (theatrical)
- AMLF (1982) (France) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1982) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Europa Film (1982) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Hafbo (1982) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Magna-Filmi (1982) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Tobis (1982) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- Toho-Towa (1983) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Canal+ (1985) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- ITT Contrast (West Germany) (VHS)
- WGN (1988) (United States) (tv)
- Scanbox Entertainment (1995) (Sweden) (VHS)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (1997) (Finland) (tv)
- Scanbox Entertainment (2001) (Sweden) (DVD)
- Scanbox Entertainment (2001) (Finland) (DVD)
- Paramount Home Entertainment (2004) (United States) (DVD)
- Aquarius TV (2006) (Greece) (tv)
- KNM Home Entertainment (2009) (Germany) (DVD)
- Arthaus (2015) (Germany) (DVD)
- Iris (2016) (Italy) (tv)
- Lost Films (2019) (France) (theatrical) (re-release) (restored version)
- CIC Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
- Gativideo (Argentina) (VHS)
- Initial (I) (France) (VHS)
- Nordic Video (Finland) (VHS)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Amigo and Evergreen Studios (I) (music recorded at)
- Elektra/Asylum Records (sound track available on)
- Joe Dunton & Company (camera equipment provided by)
- Kaufman Astoria Studios (sound stage and production facilities)
- Lee Lighting (grip and lighting equipment)
- New York City Police Department, Movie and Television Unit (the producers would like to thank)
- R/Greenberg Associates (main and end titles produced and designed by)
- The New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting (the producers would like to thank)
- Twickenham Film Studios (recorded at)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
The story runs in the 1910's New York. Coalhouse Walker Jr. (Howard E. Rollins Jr.) is a black piano player. He has won fame and fortune playing with a jazz band. Some white men do not like this situation, and one day they assault him and spoil his brand new car. Walker tries by all means to get justice, without satisfaction.
Written by Michel Rudoy |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was Ragtime See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Opening Weekend United States | $151,351, 22 Nov 1981 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | James Cagney had been advised by his doctors and caregivers that making a film at this point in his life was very important for his health. The actor never flew, so he and his wife took an ocean liner to London, where his scenes were filmed. Despite his numerous infirmities, he stayed on-set during his fellow actors' close-ups to give them line readings. See more » |
| Goofs | Charles W. Fairbanks was not Vice President when he ran with Theodore Roosevelt in 1904. He was a Senator from Indiana, chosen as Roosevelt's running mate that year. Roosevelt was William McKinley's Vice President; he became president when McKinley was assassinated, and had no Vice President for his first term. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in James Cagney: That Yankee Doodle Dandy (1981). See more » |
| Soundtracks | One More Hour See more » |
| Quotes |
Coalhouse Walker Jr.:
I read music so good, white folks think I'm fakin' it. See more » |