A week or so ago I was graciously invited to The Trad’s apartment for cocktails. Upon my arrival a Dark ‘N’ Stormy was immediately handed to me and I was ushered to sit and chat in the living room. The Trad, being the tasteful gentleman that he is, was watching Bert Stern’s classic 1959 documentary Jazz on a Summer’s Day. Having never seen the movie before, I was completely taken by what was on the screen. A few days later the film would be the subject of my first post on the Men’s Vogue Index blog. The story can be seen here: ACL on Men’s Vogue
Many thanks to The Trad for the drinks and the inspiration. Below: Still images from the film.
Ms. Anita O’Day
That hat!
More still images from Jazz on a Summer’s Day can be seen on the ACL Flickr.
This trad fellow seems like a decent bloke. He’s got some stories, no?
Kickin it on Men’s Vogue, eh? Mazel Tov!
That film is great. It has so many good shots of the crowd. They all look bored but they look good. Anita O’day is terriffic. Was this during her heroin period? I forget.
Few of the performances are great (O’Day kills, though), and a lot of folks are captured better elsewhere, but none of this matters much, really. The film just feels so relaxed and carefree that drama would ruin the mood.
The way Jimmy Giuffre bops up and down in the beginning is just so delicious.