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Too Late Blues (1962)

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Average Rating: 6.5/10
Reviews Counted: 6
Fresh: 5 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 2
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 327

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Movie Info

After his pioneering independent film Shadows (1960), actor/writer/director John Cassavetes made his major studio directorial debut with this gritty, low-key drama about jazz musicians. Bobby Darin plays John "Ghost" Walefield, a pianist who scuffles from gig to gig with his band, trying to keep body and soul together without betraying his muse. Ghost's agent Benny (Everett Chambers) introduces him to Jess (Stella Stevens), a would-be singer who looks beautiful, even though her voice is fair at

Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.

Musical & Performing Arts, Drama

Directed By: John Cassavetes

Written By: Richard Carr, John Cassavetes

In Theaters: Nov 7, 1961 Limited

Paramount Pictures

Cast

Bobby Darin
John "Ghost" Wakefield
Stella Stevens
Jess Polanski
Everett Chambers
Benny Flowers
Cliff Carnell
Charlie
Seymour Cassel
Red
Marilyn Clark
The Countess
Nick Dennis
Nick
Jimmy Joyce
Reno
Allyson Ames
Billie Gray
Val Avery
Frielobe
Rupert Crosse
Baby Jackson
June Wilkinson
Girl at Bar
John Cassavetes
Vince Edwards
Tommy
Slim Gaillard
Party singer
Mario Gallo

Critic Reviews for Too Late Blues

All Critics (6) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (5) | Rotten (1)

It's pretentious, lugubrious, mawkish, and full of both naivete and macho bluster. It also has moments that are indelible and heartbreaking.

July 15, 2008 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

John Cassavetes' first Hollywood-made project shows a tendency to force casebook psychology on the characters at a loss of spontaneity.

July 15, 2008 Full Review Source: Variety

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Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

One of the better and more honest jazz films ever made in Hollywood.

January 22, 2011 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

The jumpy, freewheeling Cassavetes style -- for which Darin's jazz, I suppose, is a metaphor -- seems well worth fighting for.

July 15, 2008 Full Review Source: Film4

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Film4

One of the more impressive Hollywood movies to be set in the hip, flip jazz world.

July 15, 2008 Full Review Source: Time Out

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Interesting mainly for its jazz atmosphere and Darin's nonsinging performance.

July 15, 2008 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

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TV Guide's Movie Guide

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Audience Reviews for Too Late Blues

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This wasn't a whopper, but a mildly entertaining, offbeat, arty film with Stella Stevens and Bobby Darrin looking their best at the height of their careers.

March 11, 2009

Pamela De Graff

Super Reviewer

There's a cool jazz band, man, playing groovy jazz and a stunning beauty with an angelic voice.

August 7, 2011

Ernest Abikis

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