by A Man Called Adam, Sammy Davis Jr.
[African American- Music], [African American- Film] A Man Called Adam Archive of 8 Black and White Movie Lobby Cards. Each measures 10" x 8". An Avco Embassy Film, A Trace-Mark Production, 1966. A Man Called Adam is a 1966 American drama musical film directed by Leo Penn and starring Sammy Davis Jr. The film was based on a composite of jazz musicians, including Miles Davis. It tells the story of a self-destructive jazz musician named Adam Johnson, played by Davis, and his tumultuous relationships with the people in his life, including jazz trumpeter Willie, played by notable Black jazz musician, Louis Armstrong. Adam is a talented African-American jazz cornetist, plagued by ill health, racism, alcoholism and a short temper, as well as guilt over the deaths years before of his wife and child. The result is a caustic personality that wears even on those who care the most about him. One photo reveals Adam counting money besides Vincent, played by Frank Sinatra Jr. Another shot illuminates Adam Johnson playing the cornet on stage with saxophonist, pianist, trumpeter, and trombonist. There are four images capturing various emotive facial expressions by Claudia and Nelson, played by award-winning actress Cicely Tyson and Ossie Davis. In another image, Adam attempts to flee the grasp of the local sheriff in a forest. A Man Called Adam explores the troubled genius trope by centering the emotional core of the film on a cast of Black actors, showing pain and trauma that leads to tenderness and vulnerability, rarely seen between Black men in Hollywood movies of this era. The men embrace, apologize to, and find solace in each other. Adam’s self-destruction is shown as tied not only to his own actions but to a wider civil unease and the trappings of Black manhood. Verso of each card includes a 5" x 2.5" printed pastedown that highlights the movie's title, production team, and lead and supporting actors. Minor staining on photos blank white margins and versos, not affecting photo quality. This archive is bright and in very good condition. (Inventory #: 19163)
(818) 224-4555
