Main Cast: Bobby Darin, Stella Stevens, Everett Chambers, Cliff Carnell, Seymour Cassel
Release Year: 1962
Country: US
Run Time: 100 minutes
Plot
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 best. Ghost falls hard for her and agrees to put her in the band, though it's hard to say if he believes in her musical talent or just wants her companionship. Ghost and his band score a record deal thanks to Jess' presence, but after a humiliating fight in a pool hall and Ghost's discovery that Jess occasionally turns tricks to pay the rent, he puts his integrity up for sale, fires his band, and starts spending his time with a rich woman who likes to hang out with musicians -- and is willing to pay for the privilege. A number of real-life jazz greats appear onscreen and on the soundtrack, including Slim Gaillard, Benny Carter, and Shelly Manne; the role of Ghost was originally written for Montgomery Clift, who was forced to back out at the last minute, leading to Bobby Darin's casting. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
During the early years of his directing career, Cassavetes evinced a strong interest in jazz, and although this is one of his lesser films, it features interesting work by Bobby Darin, as well as a rare screen glimpse of the kind of scuffling endemic to most musicians in the idiom. The flimsy script, which invokes prostitution as a metaphor for the compromises an artist has to deal with in this cruel world, no doubt reflects the obstacles facing the director as one of the pioneer independent directors, but otherwise has little to recommend it. Although it seems the director kept improvisation to a minimum, he uses takes far longer than were common at the time, giving his actors a chance to stretch out, much like musicians. However, unlike his later films, most of the cast is far from being up to the challenge, especially the indelibly bad Everett Chambers, as Darin's vampirish manager. Yet, thanks to Darin, the film has occasional moments of genuine power for those willing to wade through some self-indulgent scenes. Benny Carter and Slim Gaillard are among the jazz legends providing excellent source music, with which David Raksin's score dovetails beautifully. Val Avery and Seymour Cassell shine in inexplicably small parts. ~ Michael Costello, All Movie Guide
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
Too Late Blues is a 1962John Cassavetes film that stars Bobby Darin, Stella Stevens, Vince Edwards, Seymour Cassel, and Everette Chambers. It is the story of jazz musician "Ghost" Wakefield (Darin), and his relationship between both his fellow band members and his love interest, Jess, a beautiful would-be singer.
