A Man Called Adam (film)
| A Man Called Adam | |
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Film poster
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| Directed by | Leo Penn |
| Written by | Lester Pine Tina Pine |
| Starring |
Sammy Davis, Jr. Ossie Davis Cicely Tyson |
| Music by | Benny Carter |
| Cinematography | Jack Priestley |
| Edited by | Carl Lerner |
| Distributed by | Embassy Pictures |
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Release date
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Running time
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103 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
A Man Called Adam is a 1966 dramatic film starring Sammy Davis Jr., Ossie Davis and Cicely Tyson. Directed by Leo Penn, it tells the story of a self-destructive jazz musician, played by Davis, and his tumultuous relationships with the people in his life. In addition to Davis, the film features appearances by such noted musical names as Louis Armstrong, Mel Tormé and Frank Sinatra, Jr. The picture also marked the film debut of Lola Falana.
Adam Johnson is a talented African-American jazz cornetist, plagued by ill health, racism, alcoholism and a short temper, as well as guilt over the deaths years before of his wife and child. The result is a caustic personality that wears even on those who care the most about him, such as his best friend Nelson, and Vincent, a young Caucasian trumpeter whom Adam mentors. Arriving unexpectedly at his New York home drunk after walking out on his jazz quintet, Adam finds prominent Civil Rights Movement worker Claudia Ferguson and her grandfather, Willie, who is himself a well-known jazz trumpeter, in his apartment. The two have been given access to the apartment by Nelson, but despite having authorized this, the drunken Adam is rude to both, that including making a vulgar pass at Claudia.
The next day, a sober Adam is apologetic and strikes up a new friendship with the two. This eventually leads to a romance with Claudia, who cautions Adam that from that point on, she will not allow him to be any less than he is. Nelson warns Claudia against it, saying that although he understands what she sees in Adam, he will still ultimately only hurt her. She is not dissuaded, saying that she is determined not to let Adam destroy himself.
The relationship has a positive effect on Adam and all is well until an encounter with some racist police officers. Adam tells them off and fights with them when they seek to take him into custody. Claudia is upset that he intentionally antagonized them, while Adam can't understand why she thinks he should submit to being humiliated. They quarrel, leading to Adam drinking more and beginning to lose control of his temper. Manny, Adam's booking agent, says he intends to send Adam on a tour of the South, insisting Adam accept whatever racist treatment he may encounter there. Adam violently threatens Manny and later physically assaults a jealous former girlfriend who had just slapped Claudia.
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Wikipedia