Porgy And Bess Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1959)

Рет қаралды 40,359

2 жыл бұрын

Tracklist
Overture
Summertime
A Woman Is A Sometime Thing
The Wake:
Gone, Gone, Gone
Porgy's Prayer
-
My Man's Gone Now
I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'
Bess, You Is My Woman Now
Morning
Catfish Row
I Can't Sit Down
It Ain't Necessarily So
I Ain't Got No Shame
What You Want With Bess?
Street Cries:
Strawberry Woman
Crab Man
-
I Loves You, Porgy
A Red-Headed Woman
Clara, Clara
There's A Boat That's Leavin' Soon For New York
Oh, Where's My Bess?
I'm On My Way
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Porgy and Bess is a 1959 American musical film directed by Otto Preminger, and starring Sidney Poitier and Dorothy Dandridge in the titular roles. It is based on the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin, DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin, in turn based on Heyward's 1925 novel Porgy, as well as Heyward's subsequent 1927 non-musical stage adaptation, co-written with his wife Dorothy. The film's screenplay, which turned the operatic recitatives into spoken dialogue, was very closely based on the opera and was written by N. Richard Nash.
The movie's soundtrack album won the Grammy Award for Best Sound Track Album or Recording of Original Cast From a Motion Picture or Television.
The project was the last for Samuel Goldwyn. Due to its controversial subject matter, the film was shown only briefly following its initial reserved seat engagements in major cities, where it drew mixed reviews from critics. Two months after its release, Goldwyn grudgingly conceded "No one is waiting breathlessly for my next picture."
The film is unavailable on home video, and it is unknown if a quality print still exists, prompting it to be considered one of the more prestigious and expensively produced "lost films."
In 2011, the film was chosen for inclusion in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.
-- Wikipedia
Shared for historical purposes. I do not own the rights.
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Пікірлер: 134

@grey1hound 25 күн бұрын

When I lived in Boston, my girlfriend's father owned a movie theater in downtown,..... she got passes all of the time and I saw this gorgeous movie as a teenager atleast 5 times!!! I memorized every line!! it had quite an influence on my life; my outlook, my love of community, of romance, of raw talent... wow here I am at 81 and I woke up with "Summertime" on my lips... so of course, I played the whole soundtrack and have been smiling all day!!! Thank you George Gershwin!!!!

@missc0llins Жыл бұрын

I listened to this so much when I was a child! Loved it, know every note by heart.

@stevestarkhimself 8 ай бұрын

so true, miss collins- me too!

@timihobbs1992 7 ай бұрын

Yes, me too.

@fyuuredhijgfzregjjygtdftyi6021 4 ай бұрын

Me too

@fyuuredhijgfzregjjygtdftyi6021 4 ай бұрын

Our parents had great taste

@empresstashaii 3 ай бұрын

Me too . Remind me of thosre precious times....

@KonaSpiritHome Жыл бұрын

My uncle had the reel to reel tape of this soundtrack and as a child of 8 years of age I fell in love with the music as well as the story. The old tape is long gone but the soul-stirring memories this beings back are incredibly intact! I still remember the lyrics! Thank you so much for this! 💕

@jacquieedwards8218 2 жыл бұрын

An honest living was made for many years by the cast and production staff. It afforded them a modest comfortable living. My mother was a friend of " The Strawberry Woman - Helen Dowdy ". She played this part most of her adult life. The cast party's and interesting happening tales she would share. Actually it was a way of life for some of them to socialize together as friends. Jesus is Love

@zag001a Жыл бұрын

Thank you Mr. Gershwin.

@revjys 2 жыл бұрын

I saw, by pure chance, a local theater troupe's presentation of P&B. I was a middle aged man then and it was an initial introduction. Why nobody told me about Porgy and Bess before is unknown. I sat after the production in a puddle of emotions with tears streaming down my face. Porgy is a classic must seen by everyone. Go and enjoy opera!! This classic tragedy will leave you appreciating this art form. LONG LIVE PORGY AND BESS!!

@neecywatson8250 Жыл бұрын

I agree!!!!!!❤️

@megwagner6606 Жыл бұрын

❤

@valkinsora Жыл бұрын

Got that right!!

@revjys 9 ай бұрын

What are you talking about? The topic is not immigration, but Porgy and Bess!! Just for the record ... my people had zero choice and we've fought since then for rights guaranteed to others but not us!!@marymrcomcastnet

@danjarrell 2 ай бұрын

I am glad you had a rich experience.

@wisdom7074 4 ай бұрын

I bought a copy, dvd, of this movie on line . Quality is so so but it's just nice to have this masterpiece. I remember watching on TV when i was a kid. I'm 72 now. My dad had the soundtrack on vinyl and it was always a favorite of mine. Thank you so much for posting!!!

@Lightswitch505newchannel 2 жыл бұрын

I have loved this work for my entire life. It's spiritual.

@sabrinadoctor9653 2 жыл бұрын

❤️❤️❤️❤️this Movie 🎥 Rest Easy , Sir Sydney Poitier 🕊🕊🕊🕊

@dianegreen2139 2 жыл бұрын

Greetings i had this as a teenager with the book i loved it good to hear it again at age 74 Blessings!😍💝🎇

@MotivationNAffirmations4YRLife 2 жыл бұрын

I wish that I could see this movie again! Thank you for the soundtrack!

@reelblack 2 жыл бұрын

there's a poor quality copy elsewhere on youtube right now

@sandragrant3508 2 жыл бұрын

Dan Fluery has a not bad upload on here.

@MotivationNAffirmations4YRLife 2 жыл бұрын

@@sandragrant3508 Thank you 🙏🏽 I’m watching it now.

@MotivationNAffirmations4YRLife 2 жыл бұрын

@@reelblack Thank you 🙏🏽

@sandragrant3508 2 жыл бұрын

@@MotivationNAffirmations4YRLife oh good, enjoy

@sarahlaidler3325 2 жыл бұрын

I remember watching this when I was in high school. I wish it was available now. I love this version. Non better.

@kaarlimakela3413 Жыл бұрын

I grew up singing along.

@chrisehmke1792 Жыл бұрын

Pearl Bailey, Sammy, Dorothy D, Diane C, Sydney P😊 what a collection of talent!

@biomedlib 8 ай бұрын

And, Brock Peters, who played Crown.😊😊

@chrisehmke1792 3 ай бұрын

How could I forget a favorite "What you want with Bess?"🎶 Thanks for that! and Brock? 😊

@charmaineeubanks5223 2 жыл бұрын

Classic Movie 💎🔝 starring Sidney Poitier 😍❣️

@guleiro 2 жыл бұрын

RIP the great Sidney Poitier ❤❤

@petertaylor2725 Жыл бұрын

This is simply stunning...

@ElleBrOw 2 жыл бұрын

Good afternoon reelblack 🙋🏽‍♀️ Nice seeing Mr Woods during the Sidney Poitier chat.

@johng5369 2 жыл бұрын

I purchased a new album recently. Still available. I have 3 old copies. One of the best soundtracks of any movie ever. Sad that so many people have never had the opportunity to see the movie. Controversial, but not something that people should not be allowed to see.

@ritabramhall4948 3 ай бұрын

The music and the voices are breathtakingly beautiful…..

@19Sioux52 2 ай бұрын

This is my totally childhood. I listened to this album every day for 4+ months when I was sick in bed with mono as an 8 year old. Gershwin is my heart. ❤️

@missc0llins Жыл бұрын

I didn’t realize this movie was not available to watch again. I loved it, so moving and rich.

@MObetterGardening Жыл бұрын

You can watch on KZfaq!

@opal817 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely insane this never had a VHS or DVD release - and hasn't even played on television in decades.

@kichurch 2 жыл бұрын

ikr! Absolutely insane.

@alessandromoon4650 2 жыл бұрын

The latter Gershwins hated the film version, so essentially it was shelved permanently. :O(

@valkinsora Жыл бұрын

I agree with the Gershwins! The music of the movie version isn’t close to the original stage recording. But the story is so strong, with so many Black performers it is a shame the movie is not widely available. Gershwin was one of a kind.

@tonygumbrell22 Жыл бұрын

@@valkinsora George Gershwin, the composer of it, died long before the movie version was made

@shesaknitter 8 ай бұрын

@@alessandromoon4650 I hope that some day it can be shown because the family has a change of heart, or because it's in the hands of someone else.

@terryhammond1253 Ай бұрын

🎹 Thanks so much for posting. Of the many recordings of Gershwins masterpiece this one, reworked for the motion picture, remains the richest and most satisfying.

@ilonafrissina5617 2 жыл бұрын

So good to hear this sound track🌟🌟

@TheLadyKikio 10 ай бұрын

We had a choir director that loved the soundtrack and we sang it at our spring recital.❤

@rocnroz 2 жыл бұрын

Love this movie... I was eight when I first saw it and I still remember. Powerful

@jakobiepatrick9069 Жыл бұрын

The orchestrations for Conrad Salinger and Alexander Courage has just wonderful and superb 💯% Incredible orchestration music masterpiece for Porgy and Bess 🎉🎊🙏🙏👏👏🤘🤘🪖🪖💖💖💖

@sageone5344 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for pointing out the orchestrators (arrangers really) work. Salinger and Courage were the best of the best at arranging musical theater scores for the screen. And Andre Previn, the music director, was among the best at overseeing the musical aspects of film musicals, as well as creating arrangements and musical underscoring.

@chrisehmke1792 Жыл бұрын

My dad would make pancakes on Saturday morning and we would wake up to "morning Serena",how are you this, morning ❤ I know every world and nuance!

@tonygumbrell22 Жыл бұрын

I saw this when it first came out. It is a crime that it has not been rereleased. It should be available for everyone in the world to see.

@Dylonely42 11 ай бұрын

I agree, it’s very saddening…

@valkinsora Жыл бұрын

I grew up listening to the stage recording- I look younger than I am😅- and it’s my favorite

@mrkurtlovesmovies Жыл бұрын

My soul needed this today. THANK YOU!!

@michealburnett6 2 жыл бұрын

Splendid, as I remember 😝

@seanjoseph1905 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for all that you share 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆

@donnab8365 Жыл бұрын

I HAVE THIS IN ON VINYL 😃

@biomedlib 8 ай бұрын

Me too.

@ritabramhall4948 3 ай бұрын

Me, too….

@sageone5344 3 ай бұрын

I've always strongly enjoyed this album, which I used to have on LP and later on CD (I think I did anyway). It's not as extensive or Gershwin opera authentic as other versions, but it's very well arranged and sung. I remember listening to the stereo album as a teenager, through headphones; I was very enthused about the track that starts with the early morning sounds of the ghetto making a rhythmic sort of music. A very stereo-rich experience as mixed on the album. Including this in the film was the work of Ruben Mamoulian, the original director who was fired from the film by Goldwyn. He created this originally for the original stage version of Porgy and Bess, which he directed, and earlier for the non-musical play the Gershwin opera was based on. He also used it in his film Love Me Tonight (1932), an amazingly innovative musical that I highly recommend, and it is available. I've seen the movie at least a couple of times. Sorry to disapoint those who despirately wish to see it, at least in a decent form; it's a big disappointment. It's very stage bound, uncinematic. The reason the film is nearly impossible to see is that the Gershwin family hated it and as soon as legally possible withdrew permission to use the Gershwin score. So the film never came out on home video and I'm quite sure is not streaming anywhere, at least in a non-bootleg version. I saw it on TV once or twice in the 1960's, and saw a wide screen film showing at a film festival in Seattle in the 1990's -- the only print they could get was one with Sweedish subtitles, and it wasn't a very good print at that.

@chrisehmke1792 3 ай бұрын

Maybe it's the childhood memories ❣️ But this Amazing Soundtrack is this Boy Soprano's Favorite! Getting to sing All of the parts! 😂😂

@lisawalls1007 2 жыл бұрын

Everyone have a BLESSED DAY and STAY SAFE

@kuvasz5252 2 ай бұрын

Adele Addison's voice still shivers me as she sings Summertime

@GjaP_242 Күн бұрын

The first ever performance of Summertime was sung by American soprano Abbie Mitchell. 14:44

@Dylonely42 11 ай бұрын

Act I : 0:00 Overture (not as the original opera) 1:03 Love duet (Act II) 5:17 Summertime (following the actual overture) 7:57 A Woman is a Sometime Thing 9:56 Gone, Gone, Gone (chorus) 13:12 My Man’s Gone Now (heartbreaking aria) Act II : 17:26 I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’ (happy song) 20:37 Bess, You is my Woman Now (love duet) 26:53 How Are You Dis Morning (Act III) 27:19 Oh, I Can’t Sit Down (chorus) 29:04 It Ain’t Necessarily So 32:10 I Ain’t Got No Shame 33:34 What You Want Wid Bess ? (duet) 35:28 Strawberry Woman 36:48 Crabman 38:35 Crown’s leitmotif 38:42 Love motif 39:15 I Loves You Porgy (duet) 41:25 A Read Headed Woman (Crown’s aria) Act III 42:35 Clara, Clara (slow chorus after hurricane) 44:50 There’s a Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon for NY 47:10 Oh Bess, Oh Where’s my Bess ? (trio) 49:43 Oh Lawd, I’m On My Way (finale chorus) 51:09 Love leitmotif (very last time) 51:15 Porgy’s leitmotif (very last time and ending)

@Dylonely42 11 ай бұрын

Given the old age of the recording, you must hear a few lacks of sound. There are also few important melodies missing, because it is not a complete version of the original opera.

@sldortch54 2 жыл бұрын

They need to release the movie it’s nice to have the soundtrack but I would prefer to see the movie itself!!!!!

@shesaknitter 8 ай бұрын

The quality is not the best, but the movie is here on youTube. They need to release a re-mastered version. It is hard to listen to the soundtrack here with the commercials. There are CDs of the various soundtrack versions (most seem to be from sellers in the U.K.) and I just bought one for myself. I listened to this so much as a little girl that I know most of the songs by heart. Thanks for putting them here!

@heathertea2704 2 жыл бұрын

I have the album.

@ramonalewis6050 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the upload. Appreciate it 🙏

@MrEdium 2 жыл бұрын

THANK YOU FOR SHARING👍

@artgamechanger3841 11 ай бұрын

The ONLY recording of Porgy and Bess...

@Dylonely42 11 ай бұрын

@lofisis7271 2 жыл бұрын

Mr.Cosby came out with a show called Cosby ...In one episode he mentioned this movie and years ago I watched it to see what he was talking about...great movie

@barney6888 Жыл бұрын

A young Andre Previn on the podium, knocking it out of the park. The only true performance of this work.

@jamesshertzer903 Жыл бұрын

Previn had been working at MGM for some years but left when MGM stopped making musicals. He worked more as a symphony conductor in later years. I believe "My Fair Lady" in 1963 was the last film he was associated with.

@barney6888 Жыл бұрын

@@jamesshertzer903 That's very interesting! Another memory I have of this is when I was 19 and saw this at a garage sale down the road for $20, BUT, it was an EMI German pressing in stereo. I frantically ran back, bummed the money off my brother, ran back to the sale and snapped it up. That, with Sir John's Sibelius finally coming out on cd were the 2 highlights in my time as a classical music lover/collector.

@alessandromoon4650 2 жыл бұрын

Good quality Bootleg DVDs are lurking about.

@mariegold3906 2 жыл бұрын

This movie is so hard to find.

@davidallen508 2 жыл бұрын

I find the film depressing but love to listen to the soundtrack recording.

@tonygumbrell22 Жыл бұрын

It is a tragedy, but tragedy is life affirming. It honors what is most important, what is the best in man.

@Dylonely42 11 ай бұрын

It’s such a pity that this movie is no longer available…

@shesaknitter 8 ай бұрын

It's here on youTube. Watchable, though not the best quality.

@Dylonely42 8 ай бұрын

@@shesaknitterWhere exactly ?

@shesaknitter 8 ай бұрын

@@Dylonely42 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/i9RlpN2hvNrLZps.html

@robindavis7023 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks.

@jjmars9160 2 жыл бұрын

I always thought this movie was a classical example of pure black American artistic performance.

@sharonjerseygirl3682 2 жыл бұрын

Can You Show Buck & The Preacher & A Patch Of Blue These Are My Fav Sidney Poitier Movies👍😊

@waldolydecker8118 2 жыл бұрын

Poitier, like many actors who are nonsingers, was dubbed for this movie by a professional singer, so don't think he is singing anything for this movie. Poitier didn't even want to do the movie because he was not a singer and did not want to play the role of the crippled "Porgy" where he spend the bulk of production crawling on his knees. In the end, he did the film as part of a deal to assure he also would be able to make the film, 'The Defiant Ones' with Tony Curtis - the film he really wanted to do.

@shesaknitter 8 ай бұрын

I saw both movies as a child, but did not know that about his doing Porgy and Bess being a condition for him doing The Defiant Ones. I was moved by both movies.

@donnab8365 Жыл бұрын

Reelback hugs n 💋 4this upload just dug this album out n yes my Kenwood system still work 😘😘😘

@kazkazzie3906 Жыл бұрын

I think as it is difficult to see this movie on the screen, there should be a campaign to get this movie remade.

@shesaknitter 8 ай бұрын

It is impossible...at least so far. Perhaps some day that will change.

@johng5369 2 жыл бұрын

Movie is available if you hunt for it...

@QueensLadyDay 2 жыл бұрын

There are a couple of poor copies of the "Porgy & Bess" (1959) posted on KZfaq......however, the song "My man's gone now"...is CUT from the film.🤷🏾‍♂️

@MsKylea 2 жыл бұрын

Do you have "A Piece of the Action?" One of my favs!@

@saxupyourlife8607 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your channel. I only just learned of your existence from another channel called ISSACHAR. I have just subscribed.

@reelblack 2 жыл бұрын

Thank You

@KROWNCHAKRA 2 жыл бұрын

🔥🔥🔥

@rocnroz 2 жыл бұрын

Where can I find the movie Porgy and Bess?

@sarahlaidler3325 2 жыл бұрын

It's not available. CBS won't release the rights to show it was the last I heard. I wish I could get a copy.

@jamesshertzer903 Жыл бұрын

@@sarahlaidler3325

@solarmax11 2 ай бұрын

It is locked up in the vaults. There are other stage versions out there. Beautiful storyline.

@alessandromoon4650 2 жыл бұрын

I noticed that at certain points the recording skips. :O(

@donnab8365 Жыл бұрын

Yes it's CBS not the uploader

@shellspatrice5525 2 жыл бұрын

Does anyone know where to find a video of this movie or even a video of the Broadway play that it’s based on?

@shesaknitter 8 ай бұрын

A not good (though still watchable) video of the movie is here on youTube. There are also copies elsewhere on the web if you know where to look.

@sageone5344 3 ай бұрын

There's the excellent Huston Opera version of the original opera, shot for TV, on KZfaq. It's a low resolution video, video and audio quality is pretty poor, but it's watchable.

@chrisehmke1792 3 ай бұрын

PBS shows the Houston Opera periodically. Good luck 😊

@shesaknitter 8 ай бұрын

This does not sound like the film soundtrack. As I listen to it more, it sounds like one of the stage productions. Sammy Davis had a very different voice, especially noticeable with "It Ain't Necessarily So."

@Dylonely42 Жыл бұрын

Where can I find the movie ?

@tonygumbrell22 Жыл бұрын

Locked in a vault, literally. Very sadly, it is not available.

@alessandromoon4650 Жыл бұрын

Damn CBS. 🥸🥸🥸

@notanotherjamesmurphy5574 7 ай бұрын

3:02

@Dylonely42 11 ай бұрын

41:25

@JerryAttric42 2 жыл бұрын

did Sidney Poitier have to die for this recording to be made available? i've always enjoyed this recording, conducted by Andre Previn. as for the movie itself, apparently its theme was so politically offensive to some black people that the movie had to be hidden away out of sight and out of mind..

@Roestradd 2 жыл бұрын

Why did some black folks find it offensive?

@JerryAttric42 2 жыл бұрын

@@Roestradd for lots of reasons. black people tired of seeing blacks living in poverty--and happy about it. . .but that's not reason to essentially ban a movie from being seen.

@chrisehmke1792 Жыл бұрын

The Gershwen estate was against it 😢

@shesaknitter 8 ай бұрын

I'm black, born in 1950, so I grew up with this movie and the songs. I don't remember anyone in my family nor among my friends being offended by the movie....and if the movie had gone over well and made a lot of money, nobody's objections to it would have mattered to the film's producers. It's history. I think it had more to do with the Gershwin family disliking the movie.