tue 26/11/2024

Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me, BBC Four | reviews, news & interviews

Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me, BBC Four

Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me, BBC Four

Arena and Clint Eastwood's superb evocation of the multi-talented songwriter

Johnny Mercer (right) with Nat King Cole, one of his discoveries for Capitol Records
Jazz enthusiast Clint Eastwood, who co-produced this film with the BBC's Arena, clearly harbours a particular regard for songwriter, singer, impresario and record company mogul Johnny Mercer. When Eastwood made his film of John Berendt's book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which was set in Mercer's home town of Savannah, Georgia and partly shot in Mercer House, built by Johnny's grandfather, the accompanying soundtrack was a newly recorded collection of some of Mercer's most celebrated songs.
Jazz enthusiast Clint Eastwood, who co-produced this film with the BBC's Arena, clearly harbours a particular regard for songwriter, singer, impresario and record company mogul Johnny Mercer. When Eastwood made his film of John Berendt's book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which was set in Mercer's home town of Savannah, Georgia and partly shot in Mercer House, built by Johnny's grandfather, the accompanying soundtrack was a newly recorded collection of some of Mercer's most celebrated songs.

Comments

I saw this on Friday, and was amazed by Mercer's eloquence in lyrics and charm in person; the Lyttleton interview was a gem, and so was the editing in this documentary, which seemed as free and easy as most of the folk featured, Jamie Cullum awkwardly excepted.

I was not aware soon enough to see all of the programme but I was more than impressed with his voice and personality. I actually remember him from before WW 2. I loved his music and was humming his tunes for days afterwards. Is there any way I could get a copy of the programmes referred to?

Add comment

The future of Arts Journalism

 

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

newsletter

Get a weekly digest of our critical highlights in your inbox each Thursday!

Simply enter your email address in the box below

View previous newsletters