John Cassavetes directed Too Late Blues, a 1961 black-and-white feature, starring Bobby Darin, Stella Stevens and Everett Chambers.
Written by Cassavetes and Richard Carr, it is the story of jazz musician “Ghost” Wakefield and his relationship with his fellow band members and his love interest, Jess, a beautiful would-be singer.
It was the first film that Cassavetes produced for a major Hollywood studio, Paramount, and Darin’s first non-singing role.
“Ghost” Wakefield is the leader of a struggling jazz band. At a party he meets the attractive singer Jess, who is in a relationship with the Ghost’s agent, Benny. At Ghost’s insistence, she joins the band, and he begins a relationship with her. Benny arranges for the band to cut a record.
In a party at a bar celebrating the recording session, Benny encourages tough guy Tommy to pick a fight with the band. Ghost avoids fighting, causing a rift with Jess. She leaves the band, and it breaks up.
Ghost then becomes the protege of a rich patron, playing the piano in night clubs. His career is in decline, while the rest of the band plays inferior music to make a living.
In the end, Ghost locates Jess, who has become a prostitute, and goes with her to the other band members, who reject him but begin playing their old music with Jess singing.
Cast
Bobby Darin as John “Ghost” Wakefield
Stella Stevens as Jess Polanski
Everett Chambers as Benny Flowers
Nick Dennis as Nick Bubalinas
Vincent Edwards as Tommy
Val Avery as Milt Frielobe
Marilyn Clark as The Countess
James Joyce as Reno Vitelli
Rupert Crosse as Baby Jackson
Mario Gallo as Recording engineer
J. Alan Hopkins as Skipper
Cliff Carnell as Charlie
Richard O. Chambers as Pete
Seymour Cassel as Red
Dan Stafford as Shelley
Slim Gaillard as himself
