Ray Charles

Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004), better known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records. He also helped racially integrate country and pop music during the 1960s with his crossover success on ABC Records, most notably with his Modern Sounds albums. While with ABC, Charles became one of the first African-American musicians to be given artistic control by a mainstream record company. Frank Sinatra called Charles “the only true genius in show business.” Rolling Stone ranked Charles number 10 on their list of "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" in 2004, and number two on their November 2008 list of "100 Greatest Singers of All Time". In honoring Charles, Billy Joel noted: "This may sound like sacrilege, but I think Ray Charles was more important than Elvis Presley. I don't know if Ray was the architect of rock & roll, but he was certainly the first guy to do a lot of things . . . Who the hell ever put so many styles together and made it work?" Description above from the Wikipedia article Ray Charles, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia​

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Spy Hard (1996)

The evil Gen. Rancor has his sights set on world domination, and only one man can stop him: Dick Steele, also known as Agent WD-40. Rancor needs to obtain a computer circuit for the missile that he is planning to fire, so Steele teams up with Veronique Ukrinsky, a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rick Friedberg
CAST:  Leslie Nielsen  •  Nicollette Sheridan  •  Charles Durning  •  Marcia Gay Harden

The evil Gen. Rancor has his sights set on world domination, and only one man can stop him: Dick Steele, also known as Agent WD-40. Rancor needs to obtain a computer circuit for the missile that he is planning to fire, so Steele teams up with Veronique Ukrinsky, a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rick Friedberg
CAST:  Leslie Nielsen  •  Nicollette Sheridan  •  Charles Durning  •  Marcia Gay Harden

The Blues Brothers (1980)

FunnyClassicMusicalAction-packed

Jake Blues, just released from prison, puts his old band back together to save the Catholic home where he and his brother Elwood were raised.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Landis
CAST:  Dan Aykroyd  •  John Belushi  •  Cab Calloway  •  Carrie Fisher

Jake Blues, just released from prison, puts his old band back together to save the Catholic home where he and his brother Elwood were raised.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Landis
CAST:  Dan Aykroyd  •  John Belushi  •  Cab Calloway  •  Carrie Fisher

Piano Blues (2003)

Director — and piano player — Clint Eastwood explores his life-long passion for piano blues, using a treasure trove of rare historical footage in addition to interviews and performances by such living legends as Pinetop Perkins and Jay McShann, as well as Dave ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Clint Eastwood
CAST:  Ray Charles  •  Dave Brubeck  •  Clint Eastwood  •  Cab Calloway

Director — and piano player — Clint Eastwood explores his life-long passion for piano blues, using a treasure trove of rare historical footage in addition to interviews and performances by such living legends as Pinetop Perkins and Jay McShann, as well as Dave ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Clint Eastwood
CAST:  Ray Charles  •  Dave Brubeck  •  Clint Eastwood  •  Cab Calloway

Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice (1994)

Ray investigates the murder of a psychiatrist.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gary Nelson
CAST:  Louis Gossett Jr.  •  James Coburn  •  Tracy Nelson  •  Danny Nucci

Ray investigates the murder of a psychiatrist.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gary Nelson
CAST:  Louis Gossett Jr.  •  James Coburn  •  Tracy Nelson  •  Danny Nucci

The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson (1990)

While the Muppets prepare a tribute to the late Jim Henson, they learn about the life and career of the renowned puppeteer/film maker.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Harris
CAST:  Jim Henson  •  Harry Belafonte  •  Carol Burnett  •  John Denver

While the Muppets prepare a tribute to the late Jim Henson, they learn about the life and career of the renowned puppeteer/film maker.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Harris
CAST:  Jim Henson  •  Harry Belafonte  •  Carol Burnett  •  John Denver

Barbra Streisand... and Other Musical Instruments (1973)

A mulitcultural musical potpourri, Barbra's fifth television spectacular is her most adventurous. Performing a startling array of new songs and classic hits, with genre-bending arrangements, Barbra Streisand... and Other Musical Instruments is a feast for the eyes ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Dwight Hemion
CAST:  Barbra Streisand  •  Ray Charles  •  Jack Parnell  •  Martin Erlichman

A mulitcultural musical potpourri, Barbra's fifth television spectacular is her most adventurous. Performing a startling array of new songs and classic hits, with genre-bending arrangements, Barbra Streisand... and Other Musical Instruments is a feast for the eyes ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Dwight Hemion
CAST:  Barbra Streisand  •  Ray Charles  •  Jack Parnell  •  Martin Erlichman

Listen Up: The Lives Of Quincy Jones (1990)

The extraordinary life of Quincy Jones -- one of the 20th century's most influential and talented composers, musicians and music producers -- provides the basis of this offbeat, free-form documentary tribute. With little regard for formal timelines and traditional ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ellen Weissbrod
CAST:  Quincy Jones  •  Clarence Avant  •  George Benson  •  Big Daddy Kane

The extraordinary life of Quincy Jones -- one of the 20th century's most influential and talented composers, musicians and music producers -- provides the basis of this offbeat, free-form documentary tribute. With little regard for formal timelines and traditional ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ellen Weissbrod
CAST:  Quincy Jones  •  Clarence Avant  •  George Benson  •  Big Daddy Kane

We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song (1985)

We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song is a documentary which examines how the song was written, how producer Quincy Jones and songwriters Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie persuaded some of the most popular performers in America to donate their services to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tom Trbovich
CAST:  Jane Fonda  •  Quincy Jones  •  Bob Dylan  •  Lionel Richie

We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song is a documentary which examines how the song was written, how producer Quincy Jones and songwriters Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie persuaded some of the most popular performers in America to donate their services to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tom Trbovich
CAST:  Jane Fonda  •  Quincy Jones  •  Bob Dylan  •  Lionel Richie

Ballad in Blue (1965)

Ray Charles plays himself in this film where he helps blind boy David in his struggle to regain his sight. David’s over-protective mother Peggy is afraid of the risks connected with restoring his sight. Ray tries to help the whole family, offering the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Paul Henreid
CAST:  Ray Charles  •  Tom Bell  •  Mary Peach  •  Dawn Addams

Ray Charles plays himself in this film where he helps blind boy David in his struggle to regain his sight. David’s over-protective mother Peggy is afraid of the risks connected with restoring his sight. Ray tries to help the whole family, offering the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Paul Henreid
CAST:  Ray Charles  •  Tom Bell  •  Mary Peach  •  Dawn Addams

Ray Charles: Live At Montreux (2008)

The unforgettable Ray Charles swings and sings with the best of them in this finger-snapping live performance at the 1997 Montreux Jazz Festival. The legend shows off his prodigious talents and wows the audience with such tunes as "I Don't Know," "Georgia on My ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Luca De Luigi
CAST:  Ray Charles

The unforgettable Ray Charles swings and sings with the best of them in this finger-snapping live performance at the 1997 Montreux Jazz Festival. The legend shows off his prodigious talents and wows the audience with such tunes as "I Don't Know," "Georgia on My ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Luca De Luigi
CAST:  Ray Charles

Limit Up (1989)

Casey is the assistant of commodity trader Peter Oak, but wants to get a license herself. When the diabolic Nike appears and promises to make her successful by use of her supernatural abilities, Casey hesitantly accepts. By correctly predicting the price of soy ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Richard Martini
CAST:  Nancy Allen  •  Dean Stockwell  •  Brad Hall  •  Danitra Vance

Casey is the assistant of commodity trader Peter Oak, but wants to get a license herself. When the diabolic Nike appears and promises to make her successful by use of her supernatural abilities, Casey hesitantly accepts. By correctly predicting the price of soy ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Richard Martini
CAST:  Nancy Allen  •  Dean Stockwell  •  Brad Hall  •  Danitra Vance

Swingin' Along (1961)

An amateur tunesmith and a con man pool their resources in order to win first prize in a songwriting contest.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Charles Barton
CAST:  Tommy Noonan  •  Peter Marshall  •  Barbara Eden  •  Ray Charles

An amateur tunesmith and a con man pool their resources in order to win first prize in a songwriting contest.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Charles Barton
CAST:  Tommy Noonan  •  Peter Marshall  •  Barbara Eden  •  Ray Charles

Blue's Big Musical Movie (2000)

Get ready for lots of musical fun in this first full-length movie based on the popular Nick Jr. TV series for preschoolers. Just as friendly cartoon pup Blue and her friends are ready for their big backyard music show, Tickety losers her voice... which means Blue ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Todd Kessler
CAST:  Steve Burns  •  Traci Paige Johnson  •  Ray Charles

Get ready for lots of musical fun in this first full-length movie based on the popular Nick Jr. TV series for preschoolers. Just as friendly cartoon pup Blue and her friends are ready for their big backyard music show, Tickety losers her voice... which means Blue ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Todd Kessler
CAST:  Steve Burns  •  Traci Paige Johnson  •  Ray Charles

The Big T.N.T. Show (1966)

Live performances by some of the top rock-and-roll acts of the mid 60s. Includes Ray Charles, The Byrds, Joan Baez, Ike and Tina Turner, Donovan, The Lovin' Spoonful, and several more.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Larry Peerce
CAST:  Joan Baez  •  Gene Clark  •  Estelle Bennett  •  Ray Charles

Live performances by some of the top rock-and-roll acts of the mid 60s. Includes Ray Charles, The Byrds, Joan Baez, Ike and Tina Turner, Donovan, The Lovin' Spoonful, and several more.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Larry Peerce
CAST:  Joan Baez  •  Gene Clark  •  Estelle Bennett  •  Ray Charles

The Statue of Liberty (1985)

For more than 100 years, the Statue of Liberty has been a symbol of hope and refuge for generations of immigrants. In this lyrical, compelling and provocative portrait of the statue, Ken Burns explores both the history of America’s premier symbol and the meaning of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ken Burns
CAST:  David McCullough  •  Jeremy Irons  •  Derek Jacobi  •  Paul Roebling

For more than 100 years, the Statue of Liberty has been a symbol of hope and refuge for generations of immigrants. In this lyrical, compelling and provocative portrait of the statue, Ken Burns explores both the history of America’s premier symbol and the meaning of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ken Burns
CAST:  David McCullough  •  Jeremy Irons  •  Derek Jacobi  •  Paul Roebling

Tom Dowd & The Language of Music (2004)

InspiringBrilliantRealHeartbreaking

Tom Dowd & the Language Of Music profiles the extraordinary life and legendary work of music producer/recording engineer Tom Dowd. Historical footage, vintage photographs and interviews with a who's who list of musical giants from the worlds of jazz, soul and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mark Moormann
CAST:  Tom Dowd  •  Ray Charles

Tom Dowd & the Language Of Music profiles the extraordinary life and legendary work of music producer/recording engineer Tom Dowd. Historical footage, vintage photographs and interviews with a who's who list of musical giants from the worlds of jazz, soul and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mark Moormann
CAST:  Tom Dowd  •  Ray Charles

Love Affair (1994)

Ex-football star Mike Gambril meets Terry McKay on a flight to Sydney, which is forced to land on a small atoll. They become romantic on board a ship sent to take them to a larger island. They agree to meet in New York three months later to see if the attraction is ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Glenn Gordon Caron
CAST:  Warren Beatty  •  Annette Bening  •  Katharine Hepburn  •  Garry Shandling

Ex-football star Mike Gambril meets Terry McKay on a flight to Sydney, which is forced to land on a small atoll. They become romantic on board a ship sent to take them to a larger island. They agree to meet in New York three months later to see if the attraction is ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Glenn Gordon Caron
CAST:  Warren Beatty  •  Annette Bening  •  Katharine Hepburn  •  Garry Shandling

Face of Unity (2014)

Face Of Unity is the definitive Nelson Mandela documentary feature and first retrospective to be released since the president's death in late 2013. It includes a never before seen speech where Mandela outlines the groundwork for peace and reconciliation to future ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam Radly  •  Robert Rippberger
CAST:  Ray Charles  •  Piper Dellums  •  Samuel L. Jackson  •  Henry Kissinger

Face Of Unity is the definitive Nelson Mandela documentary feature and first retrospective to be released since the president's death in late 2013. It includes a never before seen speech where Mandela outlines the groundwork for peace and reconciliation to future ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Adam Radly  •  Robert Rippberger
CAST:  Ray Charles  •  Piper Dellums  •  Samuel L. Jackson  •  Henry Kissinger

The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years (1986)

For the first time in their careers, all the Muppets (except the ones that couldn't make it, like the Doozers, Gorgs and most of the Fraggles) have gathered together in one place to celebrate their thirtieth anniversary and honor the one who brought them together: ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Harris
CAST:  Jim Henson  •  Frank Oz  •  Jerry Nelson  •  Richard Hunt

For the first time in their careers, all the Muppets (except the ones that couldn't make it, like the Doozers, Gorgs and most of the Fraggles) have gathered together in one place to celebrate their thirtieth anniversary and honor the one who brought them together: ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Harris
CAST:  Jim Henson  •  Frank Oz  •  Jerry Nelson  •  Richard Hunt

Ray Charles: Genius Loves Company (2004)

DVD that accompanied the CD release. Has behind the scenes and rehearsal footage.  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Ray Charles  •  Elton John  •  Phil Ramone  •  B.B. King

DVD that accompanied the CD release. Has behind the scenes and rehearsal footage.  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Ray Charles  •  Elton John  •  Phil Ramone  •  B.B. King
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