I love photography, mid-century culture, and jazz, so imagine my delight when I stumbled upon a gem of a film that celebrates all three of these things. Released in 1960, Jazz on a Summer’s Day documents the 1958 jazz festival held in Newport, Rhode Island. While I’m not sure this movie had any direct influence on the making of Mad Men, watching it immerses one in the same world of the show, and gives a vivid glimpse of an aspect of American life back then.
Although technically a concert film “ the first of its kind, in fact “ Jazz on a Summer’s Day also borrows from such varied genres as the travelogue, home movies, portraiture, and, yet another Mad Men connection, advertising, with its high-concept photography, stylized lighting, and the juxtaposition of disparate images to evoke a particular mood and sentiment. And no wonder, since the film was co-directed and photographed by Aram Avakian and Bert Stern, who became famous for his iconic inverted pyramid ad for Smirnoff, the publicity photos for the film, Lolita, and the “The Last Sitting” of Marilyn Monroe, which Vogue published posthumously as a memorial tribute to the actress.
The movie depicts such musical luminaries as Chuck Berry, Louis Armstrong, Jack Teagarden, Dinah Washington, Chico Hamilton, Gerry Mulligan and Thelonius Monk, among others, as well as a stand-out performance by Anita O’Day, who later admitted to being “high as a kite” during her set “ a particularly fitting description, given the spectacular, feathered hat she wore in conjunction with an elegant, black dress, and a pair of white gloves.
As engaging as the music is, the real show happens offstage “ on the water, as part of the America’s Cup trials, around town, and in the audience, where, as one reviewer put it, ” we as viewers get to react to the music, and to the audience reacting to the music.” The audience itself is a distinct character in the film, making this a perfect snapshot of mid-century Americana in addition to being a survey of the world of jazz.
But jazz is America, too. Its rise and subsequent decline almost perfectly mirrors the trajectory of American culture over the course of the 20th century. From its rural, blues influenced roots, to the sophisticated urban styles that eventually morphed to become rock and roll, this period in music history is exactly like the era depicted on Mad Men: one on the cusp of major change and upheaval. Just as we can watch Mad Men today with a wink and a nod at the things to come, Jazz on a Summer’s Day provides us with a similar opportunity. Seeing a young Chuck Berry perform “Sweet 16″ is amazing to behold, but watching the audience’s reaction to him is even more telling as it underscores the impending shift change.
Matthew Weiner has often said that Mad Men is not so much a 1960s TV show, but a show about the people who watched TV during the 1960s. JoaSD is similar in that the story’s as much about the people watching the show as it is about the show itself. And that’s the magic of the film.
13 Responses to “Informing Mad Men – Jazz on a Summer's Day”
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Amazing performance by Anita O'Day in that film.
Awesome, I haven't ever seen this film but will definitely check it out now.
I just watched this movie on Netflix. Thanks for the recommendation. It is definitely going to be my next DVD purchase.
Also, hulabaloo, you called it perfectly. Jazz definitely followed "the trajectory of American culture."
God, I love this site.
Bonus points if you can spot a young Diahann Carroll in the crowd.
Oh, I think a good friend of mine was obsessed with this film–Melissa, you were the tipoff. My friend was, at the time, obsessed with Anita O'Day. Turned me on to her. She actually met her before she died; got advice on singing jazz. (Learn the lyrics first, like a poem. Make sure you are telling the story first. Isn't that just the coolest?)
Hi, this is my first post on this site! I agree
on the cool factor of JoaSD. Does anyone know
of any films featuring my fave singer of the
Mad Men era, Julie London? By the way, I
do not feel worthy to post here … you all
have such amazing insight and are so articulate!
Thank you, Lipp Sisters!
This is available on NETFLIX (both as a CD and streaming) – I just sent it to my TIVO. Thanks for the suggestion!
Hi Daisy,
If you ever want to know anything about an actor in movies or TV, or movies/TV shows themselves, the ultimate website is the Internet Movie Data Base at IMDB.com. Julie was in countless movies and TV shows. Here's her page on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0518728/
My Father used to melt when she appeared on screen…
Regards – and welcome.
Thanks, Peter! There are so many variety show
guest spots listed, I will try to figure out how to
find them. I know Hulu only has Emergency!
Daisy,
On IMDB, if you click on the left-hand link "by type", it'll separate her performances by Actress-TV, Actress (movies), etc. Hope this helps.
It is available for free online streaming from several sources. Besides the sublime music, the extended shots of the crowd are wonderful and give a real glimpse into how cultured north easterners dressed in 1958.
I watched this online at Netflix last night, it was absolutely amazing! Thank you Hullabaloo!
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