Rhode Island's movie is...

Jazz on a Summer's Day

The smallest state in area, Little Rhody is the site of the Newport Jazz Festival, the oldest of its kind in the world. Bert Stern's staggeringly beautiful documentary Jazz on a Summer's Day is a remarkable document of the 1958 fest, mixing wonderful sets from the idiom's legends, fascinating footage of the audiences, and an evocative feeling for the Ocean State's breathtaking natural beauty and remarkable colonial architecture. Jazz on a Summer's Day features a number of music titans at the peak of their powers, including Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, Chuck Berry, and Thelonious Monk (as well as a scene-stealing performance from Anita O'Day). In addition, the film captures breathtaking views of Narragansett Bay, where the America's Cup yacht race was held concurrent to the festival, and a laid-back summertime vibe that's infectious and affecting.