It would be impossible to put together a documentary on the brilliant cornetist Bix Beiderbecke today without relying exclusively on third-hand accounts. Since Bix passed away in 1931, it seems quite certain that there is no one alive who actually knew or saw him. A ten-year old in 1931 would be 101 today while someone who was 18 would be 109.
Fortunately Brigitte Berman conceived of this documentary over 40 years ago, conducting extensive interviews during 1978-80 when Beiderbecke’s contemporaries were in their seventies and eighties. While she missed Bing Crosby (who passed away in 1977), the list of people who she did get to interview is remarkable. The 116 minute documentary, first released as a videotape in 1981, has now been reissued as a DVD by Kino Lorber Inc. While it has been restored and remastered, otherwise no changes or additions have been made.
This is a superb and near-perfect production and is impeccably edited, holding onto one’s interest throughout. Sticking to the facts of Beiderbecke’s colorful life rather than engaging in fanciful theories and legendary but unprovable tales, one learns about the cornetist’s up-and-down life and career through the words of those who actually knew him. Since the only sound film (a newsreel from 1928 that has Beiderbecke leading part of the Paul Whiteman ensemble) had not been discovered by 1981 and there are only a few ve
