Turner Classic Movies is broadcasting Anatomy of a Murder on December 9. I love this film for its great courtroom scene, for the great performances by James Stewart, George C. Scott, Ben Gazzara and Lee Remick and for its exquisite pacing. But today, I want to recommend it because of its great jazz soundtrack by none other than Duke Ellington. It’s one of the few movie soundtrack CDs that I own.
The music perfectly complements the story of a murder investigation that reveals more and more ambiguity as it proceeds. Stewart’s character relaxes by dabbling in jazz piano, and Duke himself has a cameo leading a bar band in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (of all places).
Here’s the music under the opening credits.
Here’s Duke Ellington’s cameo.