WHEN I FALL IN LOVE: THE ONE & ONLY NAT KING COLE (TV)
Summary
This documentary, narrated by Dennis Haysbert, is about singer/pianist Nat King Cole and features remembrances from his family members as well as archival footage of Cole performing on his own television show. The program opens with a clip of Cole singing "When I Fall in Love," followed by a clip showing Cole performing "Chicago." Daughter Casey Cole talks about his "inviting" presence and his "magnetism." Casey's twin, Timolin, and older sister Natalie also discuss their father's charisma. The program notes how Nat began his career as a shy, jazz pianist. His brother Freddy talks about Nat's skills as a pianist before the program talks about the King Cole Trio, Nat's first musical group. Maria Cole discusses the recognition she believes her husband should get as a jazz artist before a clip shows Nat performing "Just You, Just Me." Casey further discusses her father's "God-given talent" before a clip shows Nat being introduced by jazz impresario Norman Granz to perform "Sweet Lorraine" with The Oscar Peterson Trio. Maria and Freddy discuss Nat's personality and sense of humor before a clip shows him performing "Somewhere Along the Way" in a comedic style with Sammy Davis Jr. Next, a clip shows Nat performing "Caravan." Timolin and Casey talk about their father's unique take on "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" before a clip shows him performing it. Maria talks about her husband's mastery of lyrics before a clip shows him performing "I'm In the Mood for Love." Then, a clip shows him performing "Zing Went the Strings of My Heart." Next, Bob Henry, a producer/director on "The Nat King Cole Show," details how Nat became the first black man to host his own network television series before a clip shows him performing "Crazy Rhythm." Haysbert details how Nat's show struggled to find an audience, causing many members of the close-knit Hollywood community to appear on his show to try to boost ratings before a clip shows Nat performing "Opus One" with The Mills Brothers. Next, Maria talks about how her husband's show never attracted a national sponsor before it eventually was canceled in 1957. A clip shows Nat performing "It's Only a Paper Moon." Next, the program discusses Nat's relationship with Ella Fitzgerald before a clip shows them performing "Too Close For Comfort." Natalie discusses her father's "accessibility" on stage before a clip shows Nat performing "Tenderly." Then, Maria talks about the "great success" of "Mona Lisa" before a clip shows Nat performing the song. Then, a clip shows Nat performing "Almost Like Being in Love." Next, Maria talks about how her husband "loved people, and loved being around people," before a clip shows Nat and Billy Preston performing "Blueberry Hill." Then, a clip shows Nat and Johnny Mercer performing "Save the Bones for Henry Jones." Next, family members discuss how much they love Nat's "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" before clips show him performing it. Then, Maria talks about her husband's place in pop music history before a clip shows him performing "Unforgettable." Family members offer their final thoughts on Nat before a clips shows him performing "I'm Sitting on Top of the World."
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: March 2, 2003 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:59:48
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:78765
- GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Music, popular (songs, etc.); Biography; African-American Collection - Music
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV, 2003
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Carole Cole … Executive Producer
- Ann Douglas … Executive Producer
- Ralph Goldman … Executive Producer
- David Leaf … Producer, Director, Writer
- John Scheinfeld … Producer, Director, Writer
- Steve Ligerman … Producer
- Dennis Haysbert … Narrator
- Casey Cole
- Freddy Cole
- Maria Cole
- Nat King Cole
- Natalie Cole
- Timolin Cole
- Sammy Davis Jr.
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Norman Granz
- Bob Henry
- King Cole Trio
- Johnny Mercer
- Mills Brothers, The
- Oscar Peterson Trio, The
- Billy Preston