IMDb RATING
6.3/10
5.4K
YOUR RATING
A pair of kidnappings expose the complex power dynamics within the corrupt and unpredictable workings of 1930s Kansas City.A pair of kidnappings expose the complex power dynamics within the corrupt and unpredictable workings of 1930s Kansas City.A pair of kidnappings expose the complex power dynamics within the corrupt and unpredictable workings of 1930s Kansas City.
- Awards
- 3 wins & 1 nomination
A.C. Tony Smith
- Sheepshan Red
- (as A.C. Smith)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaRobert Altman gathered together some of the greatest living jazz musicians, put them on a set representing the Hey Hey Club and asked them to play period material in the style of the Kansas City jazz giants like Count Basie, Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. He filmed this separately after he had done the fictional plotline, and then intercut it with the narrative.
- GoofsWhile the music sessions were not strictly done as period pieces, the inclusion of the Gibson electric guitar jumped the gun by a few years. The ES-150 didn't go into production until 1936 and had a blade type pickup.
- Quotes
Carolyn Stilton: [saying her husband's pet name for her] Pussy.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Robert Altman: Giggle and Give In (1996)
- SoundtracksHosts of Freedom
Written by Karl King (as Karl L. King)
Published by C.L. Barnhouse (SESAC)
Performed by The Lincoln College Preparatory College Band
Featured review
pretty good movie with amazing music
I happen to like this film... apparently quite a bit more than most people. I even still have a copy of it on VHS somewhere. First and foremost is the music. Absolutely INCREDIBLE old time jazz. The best scene to me is clearly the 'battle' between the sax players at the club. The music in the club throughout the movie and the background score during the non-club scenes is about as good as it gets. And I'm not really a huge jazz guy though I have always liked the Miles Davis - John Coltrane type stuff. This is my favorite non - Angelo Badalamente (sp?)film score. Seriously, see this flick just for the music alone.
And, see it for Miranda Richardson who is AWESOME in this movie. I think she really steals the show in this one. J. Jason Leigh is solid and plays the part of a not too bright, not very successful midwest girl decently. Also, Harry Belafonte is great as Seldom Seen and he just looks and sounds the part so well. Steve Buscemi, Dermot Mulroney and the woman who plays J. Jason Leigh's sister are all quite good in supporting roles, and Michael Murphy is perfect for the part of the slightly confused, yet somewhat powerful husband to the kidnapped Richardson character.
The clothes, cars, and look of the film is nicely done (cmon it IS an Altman picture!!!) and really does make you feel as if you are in Missouri circa 1935-1940. Add to that a slightly twisted ending and you have a really good and def. underrated film that I really want to see again... on DVD this time to REALLY crank up the music scenes. I give Kansas City 7.5/10
And, see it for Miranda Richardson who is AWESOME in this movie. I think she really steals the show in this one. J. Jason Leigh is solid and plays the part of a not too bright, not very successful midwest girl decently. Also, Harry Belafonte is great as Seldom Seen and he just looks and sounds the part so well. Steve Buscemi, Dermot Mulroney and the woman who plays J. Jason Leigh's sister are all quite good in supporting roles, and Michael Murphy is perfect for the part of the slightly confused, yet somewhat powerful husband to the kidnapped Richardson character.
The clothes, cars, and look of the film is nicely done (cmon it IS an Altman picture!!!) and really does make you feel as if you are in Missouri circa 1935-1940. Add to that a slightly twisted ending and you have a really good and def. underrated film that I really want to see again... on DVD this time to REALLY crank up the music scenes. I give Kansas City 7.5/10
helpful•274
- dblaa2000
- Jun 18, 2004
- How long is Kansas City?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $19,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $1,356,329
- Gross worldwide
- $1,356,828
- Runtime1 hour 56 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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![Jennifer Jason Leigh, Harry Belafonte, and Miranda Richardson in Kansas City (1996)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BODE1ZjIwMjYtMmFhMC00NGZiLTgxNmUtYTVmYTg1MDg2NDBkXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTQ4NDY5OTc@._V1_QL75_UY133_CR0,0,90,133_.jpg)