Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer

Play trailer

Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer

Released Aug 15, 2008

1h 33m

Documentary

Music

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

31 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

This documentary explores the life of jazz singer Anita O'Day. As a child, Anita had a tonsillectomy, during which her uvula was accidentally removed. The surgery prevents her from singing vibrato and holding long notes, but lends to her much-revered percussive style. Anita overcomes her vocal hurdle, as well as many others -- including poverty, heroin addiction and jail time for a drug arrest -- to become one of the most prolific and respected jazz vocalists of the 20th century.

Critics Consensus

This rich documentary chronicles the highs and lows of one of the medium's finest singers, utilizing remarkable archive footage and insightful interviews with O'Day herself.

Read Critics Reviews

Peter Schilling

Minneapolis Star Tribune

The incomparable songbird is finally given her due in one of the greatest music documentaries I've ever seen.

Rated: 4/4

Dec 12, 2008

Full Review

Steven Rea

Philadelphia Inquirer

A close-up look at the strange alchemy that is jazz singing -- singing at its most sublime.

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 5, 2008

Full Review

Theresa Everline

Austin Chronicle

The story of O'Day's talent and innovation is well told.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 26, 2008

Full Review

David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

O'Day survived the ups and downs of life as a female in the music business, sexual assault, more than a decade of heroin addiction and a nearly fatal overdose from the drug.

Feb 13, 2021

Full Review

Dorothy Woodend

The Tyee (British Columbia)

Filmmakers Robbie Cavolina and Ian McCrudden recreate O'Day's extraordinary life through archival footage of some of her greatest performances, as well as interviews with the woman herself.

Aug 23, 2017

Full Review

Mike Scott

Times-Picayune

Even with that uninspired title, Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer is a fitting tribute, a fascinating and swinging documentary.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 17, 2009

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

awesome performance doc

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

OMG, I totally LOVED this movie. What a voice, what a story. Love Anita O'Day. Highly reccomend. It's on Netflix..

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

a great look at one of the most fascinating jazz icons.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Fascinating documentary on a great jazz singer who should be more well known. It was a tough life for Anita but the pluck which saw her through many hard times, some admittingly of her own making, is showcased front and center by reminiscences from the lady herself and backed by the people who either knew her when or admire her now.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Anyone who likes jazz, or pop vocals, should see this, not because it's a technically amazing documentary -- it's not -- but because it's full of such amazing old footage, & because O'Day is such a great subject.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

She is incredible. What a life and what a singer!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Robbie Cavolina

Director

Ian McCrudden

Director

Anita O'Day

Actor

Buddy Bregman

Actor

Leonard Feather

Actor

Will Friedwald

Actor

Amazing Journey: The Story of the Who

80%

92%

Amazing Journey: The Story of the Who

Watchlist

Berlin

78%

86%

Berlin

Watchlist

Joy Division

100%

92%

Joy Division

Watchlist

Loudquietloud: A Film About the Pixies

68%

77%

Loudquietloud: A Film About the Pixies

Watchlist

The Wrecking Crew

94%

84%

The Wrecking Crew

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Wrecking Crew

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Critics Consensus: Tropic Thunder Is Certified Fresh

View more photos

Synopsis

This documentary explores the life of jazz singer Anita O'Day. As a child, Anita had a tonsillectomy, during which her uvula was accidentally removed. The surgery prevents her from singing vibrato and holding long notes, but lends to her much-revered percussive style. Anita overcomes her vocal hurdle, as well as many others -- including poverty, heroin addiction and jail time for a drug arrest -- to become one of the most prolific and respected jazz vocalists of the 20th century.

Director: Robbie Cavolina, Ian McCrudden
Producer: Robbie Cavolina, Ian McCrudden, Melissa Davis
Screenwriter: Robbie Cavolina, Ian McCrudden
Genre: Documentary, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 15, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 5, 2016
Runtime: 1h 33m

Most Popular at Home Now