Movies Similar to Music Hall: Cincinnati Finds Its Voice

Jimmy McGary: The Best Jazz You Never Heard(2019)

Tenor saxophonist Jimmy McGary was a major presence in the Cincinnati music scene from the 1950s until his death in the early ’90s. With music rooted in Bebop with a progressive slant, the Jazz legend was a session player for King Records and released his first album as a bandleader — The First Time (with a quartet that included pianist Pat Kelly) — in 1979. McGary’s spirit and legacy have lived on well after his passing and well beyond Cincinnati, as evidenced in this new documentary film.

Le Petit Monde de Fernandel(2020)

The Night That Changed Rock(2019)

Forty years later, rock legends Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey sat down for first-of-a-kind, exclusive interviews with WCPO Anchor Tanya O’Rourke. Their candid revelations about the horrific night of Dec. 3, 1979 in Cincinnati form the basis for O'Rourke's historical documentary, "The Who: The Night That Changed Rock."

Cincinnati's Rock 'N Roll Legends(1995)

An excellent comprehensive look at all the music that came out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati "Rock Legends" "James Brown" "King Records" "Pure Prairie League" "Lemon Pipers" "Syd Nathan" WEBN "Bootsy Collins" "Lonnie Mack" "The Who concert 1979" "Rick Derringer"

Quest for Beauty: The Life and Art of William Schickel(2025)

Quest for Beauty is a film documentary on the life and prolific art career of William Schickel who was a prominent 20th century Catholic artist. Schickel had a very prolific art career spanning sixty-plus years; he produced a large body of mostly commissioned work in painting, sculpture, stained glass, and architectural design. He is most well-known for his renovation of the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky, where he worked personally with Thomas Merton. His works can be found in numerous private collections and museums, including the Vatican Museum. The film explores his Quest for Beauty and the challenges he faced, and his vision for the Church and his heart for unity in the Body of Christ.

Birth of the Tramp(2013)

A look back at Charlie Chaplin's early life and career, from his rough childhood and music hall success in England to his early Hollywood days and the development of his enormously popular character, the Little Tramp, also called Charlot.

Midsummer Rock: The Cincinnati Pop Festival 1970(1970)

Midsummer Rock is a television program based on the Cincinnati Pop Festival. The 90-minute TV version featured Alice Cooper, Mountain, Grand Funk Railroad, The Stooges, and Traffic.

Raymond Devos, un hommaginaire(2016)

Yves Montand entre en scène(2021)

"It's very strange, on stage I always feel very good, but during the two hours before, there is fear, uneasiness, a great sadness" declared Yves Montand to the press in 1980. To commemorate the 100 years of his birth, this portrait rich in archives and songs unfolds the career of a music-hall artist with unforgettable charisma.

How We Lookin'?(2020)

This is the story of Cincinnati's own Reds broadcast legend Marty Brennaman. Over the course of his forty-six years with the Cincinnati Reds, Marty has called some of the most famous events in Major League Baseball history including three World Series, Hank Aaron's home run 714 and Pete Rose's hit number 4192. This is his story as told by himself and the players, fans and fellow broadcasters who were there to witness history in the making.

Waite's World: The Life and Times of Waite Hoyt(1997)

How could this privileged man of overwhelming accomplishment and talent be suicidal? Journey through the 84 years of the 20th century that are Waite's World with his friends, coworkers, and family for a unprecedented inside look at an extraordinary talent. Heartfelt memories of Waite Hoyt who was a Major League pitcher, memeber of the '27 Yankees, teammate and friend to Babe Ruth, a Cincinnati Reds' broadcasting legend and a storytelling racconteur.

Cincinnati’s Uncle Al(2022)

Award-winning documentary filmmaker Billy Miossi and WCPO 9 award-winning producer/editor Jeremy Glover use original archival show footage and new interviews with former cast and crew to reveal the behind-the-scenes magic that shaped generations of childhood memories.

Cincinnati: Great, Near Great and Not So Great Moments in Cincinnati History Vol. 3(2007)

Highlights include Dan Ransohoff's "Cincinnati Algorithm," the Great Flood of 1937, the Taft political dynasty, a profile of Cincinnati Reds player Ival Goodman, the 1946 Cincinnati Bearcats football team, the last days and rebirth of the Albee Theater, controversy surrounding the Cincinnati bicentennial mascot "Cincinnatus," the walking metal men of Crosley Field fame, saving cash with Kash D. Amburgy, and a shopping trip through Swallen's.

The River's Voice(2025)

'The River's Voice' showcases people from Cincinnati and Kentucky and the stories and connections they have surrounding the river and their communities around it.

Saving Union Terminal(2018)

The 43-minute documentary tells the story of Union Terminal from its rise as a railroad station, fall as a shopping mall and vacant "white elephant" to its reopening as the Cincinnati Museum Center and $224 million restoration.

Liza Minnelli, la dernière héritière d'Hollywood(2025)

Singer, dancer, and actress, Liza, daughter of Vincente Minnelli and Judy Garland, with whom she had a close relationship, made a name for herself on Broadway and in Hollywood with her unique voice and flamboyant style. A sensitive portrait of the unforgettable Sally Bowles from Cabaret.

Cincinnati Music Hall: The Next Movement(2017)

For 16 months the doors of Music Hall are closed as an historic renovation process ensues. CET is documenting this complex undertaking with compelling interviews and stunning visuals that provide the audience a seat at the table where decisions are made and progress is monitored. It all leads to the much-anticipated grand re-opening of Music Hall on October 6.

Discoveries... America: Ohio(2004)

Ohio is the Midwest's eastern gateway, a vast land originally controlled by the Iroquois Indians. An important rail link, Ohio is bordered by the Allegheny Mountains to the east and the farmlands of the Great Plains to the west. A century ago, Ohio's most famous residents, Orville and Wilber Wright, were two bicycle mechanics who ended up leaving their mark in aviation.

King of the Hill: A 70th Anniversary Retrospective of Cincinnati’s King Records(2014)

James Brown was the jewel in the crown, but the throne of Cincinnati’s King Records always belonged to its irascible founder, Syd Nathan. This is the 70th anniversary of the legendary record label and studio. It closed shop nearly 40 years ago, in a now long-neglected warehouse on the neighborhood border of Evanston and Walnut Hills, but its impact still reverberates across today’s music.

Danny Adler: Trespassin' at King Records - The Last Session on Brewster(2017)

Danny fulfilled his great ambition to play and record in his native Cincinnati's King Records studio. On this unique video, he illegally enters the derelict King building in order to commune with the spirits of the great King Records artists from the past -- and, in so doing, becomes the last musician to ever record at the original studio on Brewster Avenue in Cincinnati's Evanston neighborhood. Video ncludes tracks written by Danny and others that were inspired by his King heroes such as "Cincinnati' Fatback"