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Nat King Cole: Afraid of the Dark

Documentary about crooner Nat King Cole, the only black TV star in Hollywood at a time when America groaned under the weight of racial segregation and prejudice.

Nat King Cole was the only black television star in Hollywood at a time when America groaned under the weight of racial segregation and prejudice. Yet he possessed a natural talent so great that these issues were seemingly swept to one side to allow him to become one of the greatest jazz icons of all time. However, behind closed doors those around him were trying to think of a way to package him as something he was not: bi-white.

This candid account of what really happened in and around his 'fairytale' life is taken from his private journals, interviews with his widow Maria and contributions from other family members, Tony Bennett, Buddy Greco, Harry Belafonte, Nancy Wilson, Sir Bruce Forsyth, George Benson, Aaron Neville, Johnny Mathis and many more.

Featuring archive never seen before, it reveals Nat King Cole's feelings behind his ultimate calling as a 'beacon of hope' to the legions of the oppressed.

1 hour, 30 minutes

Last on

Sat 14 Apr 2018 02:30
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:00

    Nat King Cole

    The Magic Window

    Lyricist: Jimmy Van Heusen. Lyricist: Johnny Burke.
  • 00:01

    Nat King Cole

    Nature Boy

    Lyricist: eden ahbez.
    • The Nat King Cole Story (1961).
  • 00:22

    Nat King Cole

    My Kinda Love

    Lyricist: Jo Trent. Lyricist: Louis Alter.
    • L-O-V-E (1965).
  • 00:06

    The Nat King Cole Trio

    I Like to Riff

    Lyricist: Nat King Cole.
    • In the Beginning (1956).
  • 00:08

    June Christy

    How High the Moon

    Lyricist: Morgan Lewis. Lyricist: Nancy Hamilton.
  • 00:10

    Nat King Cole

    I'm Lost

    Lyricist: Otis RenΓ©.
    • Nat King Cole Sings (1962).
  • 00:10

    The Nat King Cole Trio

    (Get Your Kicks on) Route 66

    Lyricist: Bobby Troup.
    • After Midnight (1957).
  • 00:13

    The Nat King Cole Trio

    Poor Butterfly

    Lyricist: John Golden. Lyricist: Raymond Hubbell.
    • Nat King Cole at the Piano (1950).
  • 00:15

    Nat King Cole

    Unforgettable

    Lyricist: Irving Gordon.
    • Penthouse Serenade (1952).
  • 00:26

    The Nat King Cole Trio

    Straighten Up and Fly Right

    Lyricist: Nat King Cole. Lyricist: Irving Mills.
    • Harvest of Hits (1950).
  • 00:29

    Nat King Cole

    Sweet Lorraine

    Lyricist: Mitchell Parish. Lyricist: Cliff Burwell.
    • After Midnight - Nat King Cole Trio (1957).
  • 00:30

    Beverly Mahr, Gordon Jenkins & Eliot Lewis

    New York's My Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

    • The Complete Manhattan Tower (1946).
  • 00:31

    The Nat King Cole Trio

    I Love You For Sentimental Reasons

    Lyricist: Ivory "Deek" Watson. Lyricist: William Best.
    • Unforgettable (1952).
  • 00:35

    Nat King Cole

    Smile

  • 00:35

    Nat King Cole

    Smile

    Lyricist: John Turner. Lyricist: Geoffrey Parsons. Lyricist: Charlie Chaplin.
    • Ballads of the Day (1956).
  • 00:41

    Natalie Cole & Nat King Cole

    Unforgettable

    Lyricist: Irving Gordon.
    • Unforgettable with Love (1991).
  • 00:47

    The Nat King Cole Trio

    It's Only a Paper Moon

    Lyricist: Billy Rose. Lyricist: Harold Arlen. Lyricist: Yip Harburg.
    • Penthouse Serenade (1952).
  • 00:52

    Nat King Cole

    Calypso

    Lyricist: Nat King Cole. Lyricist: Don George.
  • 00:53

    Nat King Cole

    Zing Went the Strings of My Heart

    Lyricist: James F. Hanley.
    • The One & Only Nat King Cole DVD.
  • 01:02

    Tony Bennett

    In the Middle of an Island

    Lyricist: Ted Varnick.
  • 01:05

    Nat King Cole

    Little Joe from Chicago

    Lyricist: Mary Lou Williams. Lyricist: Henry James Well.
    • The Nat King Cole Trio (1944).
  • 01:09

    Nat King Cole

    The Christmas Song

  • 01:22

    Maria Cole

    Blue Prelude

    Lyricist: Gordon Jenkins. Lyricist: J. Bishop.
  • 01:24

    Nat King Cole

    Stardust

    Lyricist: Mitchell Parish. Lyricist: Hoagy Carmichael.

Credits

Director Jon Brewer
Producer Jon Brewer

Broadcasts

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