Leadbelly
Leadbelly (1976)
The life of Blues and folk singer Huddie Leadbetter, nicknamed Leadbelly is recounted. Covering the good times and bad from his 20s to 40s. Much of that time was spent on chain gangs in the south. Even in prison he became well known for the songs he had composed and sung during and before the time he spent there. Director: Gordon Parks, Writer: Ernest Kinoy, Roger E. Mosley: Huddie Ledbetter, Paul Benjamin: Wes Ledbetter, Madge Sinclair: Miss Eula, Alan Manson: Prison Chief Guard, Albert Hall: Dicklicker, Art Evans: Blind Lemon Jefferson, James Brodhead: John Lomax, John Henry Faulk: Gov. Neff, Vivian Bonnell: Old Lady, Dana Manno: Margaret Judd, Lynn Hamilton: Sally Ledbetter, Rhetta Greene: Lethe (as Loretta Greene), Valerie Odell: Amy and Rozaa Jean: Sugar Tit.
Leadbelly (film)
Leadbelly is a 1976 film chronicling the life of folk singer Huddie William Ledbetter (better known as “Lead Belly”). The film was directed by Gordon Parks, and starred Roger E. Mosley in the title role. The film focuses on the troubles of Lead Belly’s youth in the segregated South including his time in prison, and his efforts to use his music to gain release.
Plot
Set in the 1940’s, the story follows Leadbelly during the early years when he worked to be a far famed singer/composer. In flashbacks, it follows his first marriage, his going to different places including a brothel, and recounts the many times he got into trouble with the law, including landing in jail for an accidental murder he never meant to commit.
Cast
Roger E. Mosley as Huddie Ledbetter
Paul Benjamin as Wes Ledbetter
Madge Sinclair as Miss Eula
Alan Manson as Prison Chief Guard
Albert Hall as Dicklicker
Art Evans as Blind Lemon Jefferson
James Brodhead as John Lomax
John Henry Faulk as Gov. Neff
Vivian Bonnell as Old Lady
Dana Manno as Margaret Judd
Lynn Hamilton as Sally Ledbetter
William Wintersole as Sheriff
