A young black pianist becomes embroiled in the lives of an upper-class white family set among the racial tensions, infidelity, violence and other nostalgic events in early 1900s New York Cit... Read allA young black pianist becomes embroiled in the lives of an upper-class white family set among the racial tensions, infidelity, violence and other nostalgic events in early 1900s New York City.A young black pianist becomes embroiled in the lives of an upper-class white family set among the racial tensions, infidelity, violence and other nostalgic events in early 1900s New York City.
- Nominated for 8 Oscars
- 2 wins & 22 nominations total
Jeffrey DeMunn
- Houdini
- (as Jeff Demunn)
- Director
- Writers
- E.L. Doctorow
- Michael Weller
- Heinrich von Kleist(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaJames Cagney had been advised by his doctors and caregivers that making a film at this point in his life was very important for his health. The actor never flew, so he and his wife took an ocean liner to London, where his scenes were filmed. Despite his numerous infirmities, he stayed on-set during his fellow actors' close-ups to give them line readings.
- GoofsCharles W. Fairbanks was not Vice President when he ran with Theodore Roosevelt in 1904. He was a Senator from Indiana, chosen as Roosevelt's running mate that year. Roosevelt was William McKinley's Vice President; he became president when McKinley was assassinated, and had no Vice President for his first term.
- Quotes
Coalhouse Walker Jr.: I read music so good, white folks think I'm fakin' it.
- Alternate versionsA work print version was included on the film's US Blu-ray release in 2021. It runs 19 minutes longer than the theatrical version.
- ConnectionsFeatured in James Cagney: That Yankee Doodle Dandy (1981)
Featured review
No, NOT the 30's, not the 20's, the 'oughts ...
1906, to be specific, is when Stanford White was shot -- which of course marks the beginning date bookmark of the movie.
The "declaration of war" -- WW I -- as announced in a Newspaper headline at the end of the film, bookmarks the end of the movie -- and of the era.
Not trivial points, since a good part of the interest of this movie lies it it's serving as a relatively rare window into this period. Which unlike the 1930s or the 1920s which the plot summary and first comment confuse it with, is not a period which is much portrayed in film.
I'd say it's a pretty good, although not great, "costume" film. The first half is much stronger than the second half, both in historical interest and in character development.
Worth seeing though. Perhaps try seeing it right after "Age of Innocence", which is set primarily in the New York of the 1870s (although entirely among the upper upper class, instead of the somewhat broader class look, and city/near country look of Ragtime).
The "declaration of war" -- WW I -- as announced in a Newspaper headline at the end of the film, bookmarks the end of the movie -- and of the era.
Not trivial points, since a good part of the interest of this movie lies it it's serving as a relatively rare window into this period. Which unlike the 1930s or the 1920s which the plot summary and first comment confuse it with, is not a period which is much portrayed in film.
I'd say it's a pretty good, although not great, "costume" film. The first half is much stronger than the second half, both in historical interest and in character development.
Worth seeing though. Perhaps try seeing it right after "Age of Innocence", which is set primarily in the New York of the 1870s (although entirely among the upper upper class, instead of the somewhat broader class look, and city/near country look of Ragtime).
helpful•179
- djexplorer
- Apr 30, 2000
- How long is Ragtime?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Ragtime. Tiempo de injusticia
- Filming locations
- 81 West Main Street, Mt. Kisco, New York, USA(as Ragtime Victorian mansion)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $14,920,781
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $151,351
- Nov 22, 1981
- Gross worldwide
- $14,920,781
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