Fats Waller
Acting
Biography
No biography available for Fats Waller.
Born: May 21, 1904
Place of Birth: New York, New York, U.S
Known For
It's Black Entertainment
A star-studded tribute (from the creators of That's Entertainment) to the contributions of Afro-Americans in film over the last century. Vanessa Williams traces the struggles and triumphs of the superstars of music and film. Among the many artists featured are: Whitney Houston, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr., Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Cab Calloway, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Little Richard, Also included are today's contemporary superstars: Snoop Dogg, Ice T, Quincy Jones, Spike Lee, Russell Simmons, and many, more! 80 minutes plus DVD bonus features.
Stormy Weather
The relationship between an aspiring dancer and a popular songstress provides a retrospective of the great African-American entertainers of the early 1900s.
Howard
Though legendary lyricist Howard Ashman died far too young, his impact on Broadway, movies, and the culture at large were incalculable. Told entirely through rare archival footage and interviews with Ashman’s family, friends, associates, and longtime partner Bill Lauch, Howard is an intimate tribute to a once-in-a-generation talent and a rousing celebration of musical storytelling itself.
The Harlem Renaissance
Chronicling the Harlem Renaissance era, this retrospective documentary tracks the origins of the soulful music of the period, along with the challenges many of the genre's artists faced when trying to gain recognition within conventional society. Included are anecdotes from musicians and historians, plus footage of performances and interviews with Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and more.
King of Burlesque
Warner Baxter plays the ambitious producer of a burlesque show who rises to the big time on Broadway. Alice Faye is the loyal burleycue singer who helps make Baxter a success. His head turned by sudden fame, Baxter falls under the spell of a society woman (Mona Barrie) who has theatrical aspirations of her own. She marries Baxter, then convinces him to produce a string of "artistic" plays rather than his extravagant musical revues. The plays are flops, and the woman haughtily divorces Baxter. Faithful Alice Faye, who'd gone to London when her ex-beau was married, returns to the penniless Baxter. She and her burlesque buddies team up to pull Baxter out of his rut and put him on top again.
Hooray for Love
A wealthy young man falls hard for a beautiful showgirl, and her wily father quickly realizes the naïve boy would make the perfect investor for his daughter's new show. Comedy with music.
Your Feet's Too Big
Fats and the gang are cutting it up on this 1941 music video of his 1939 hit “Your Feet’s Too Big”. Fats was one of the giants of jazz piano and one of the more popular performers in his day who played in a Harlem stride style.
Take It or Leave It
A young husband becomes a game-show participant in the hopes of winning the cash to pay his pregnant wife's doctor.
Ain't Misbehavin'
Fats Waller performs his best song and mugs for the camera with many a sly, risqué comment in this 1941 Soundie. A rare and impeccable record of one of the greatest showmen of jazz.
Your Feet's Too Big
A cartoon elephant undone by his large feet
Filmography
as Self (archive footage)
as Self (archive footage)
as Self (archive footage)
as Self (archive footage)
as Singer
as Self (archive footage)
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
as 'Fats' Waller
as Ben
as himself