In 1947 Chicago, Leonard Chess, a Polish immigrant turned bar owner, stumbles upon a blues phenomenon in Muddy Waters and Little Walter. As their fame grows, Chess becomes the mastermind behind some of music's biggest stars, including Etta James, Howlin' Wolf, and Chuck Berry. But as the boundaries between business and personal lives blur, dark secrets and fiery passions ignite in this gritty tale of music, power, and desire.

In 1947 Chicago, Leonard Chess, a Polish immigrant turned bar owner, stumbles upon a blues phenomenon in Muddy Waters and Little Walter. As their fame grows, Chess becomes the mastermind behind some of music's biggest stars, including Etta James, Howlin' Wolf, and Chuck Berry. But as the boundaries between business and personal lives blur, dark secrets and fiery passions ignite in this gritty tale of music, power, and desire.

Does Cadillac Records have end credit scenes?

No!

Cadillac Records does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Cadillac Records

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Ratings and Reviews for Cadillac Records

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Metacritic

65

Metascore

7.2

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

66%

TOMATOMETER

review

65%

User Score

IMDb

7.0 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

71

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Cadillac Records Movie Quiz

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Cadillac Records Quiz: Test your knowledge about the biopic 'Cadillac Records' and its fascinating depiction of Chess Records and its artists.

Who plays Leonard Chess in 'Cadillac Records'?

Awards & Nominations for Cadillac Records

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66th Golden Globe Awards 2009

Nomination

Best Original Song – Motion Picture

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Cadillac Records

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This film draws inspiration from the remarkable true story of Chess Records, a modest music recording studio nestled on the south side of Chicago. It all began in 1947 with the captivating sounds of Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright) and the talented Little Walter (Columbus Short). By 1955, this humble studio would play a pivotal role in the birth of rock and roll, thanks to the legendary Chuck Berry (Mos Def).

At the helm is Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody), a visionary record producer with an ear finely tuned to the vibrant, emerging genres. He eagerly signs new talent, including the brilliant songwriter Willie Dixon (portrayed by Cedric the Entertainer), Howlin’ Wolf (Eamonn Walker), and the soulful Etta James (Beyoncé Knowles). Leonard treats all his artists like family, striving to nurture their talents while handling the challenges that come with their extravagant lifestyles, which often involve spending funds on drugs, alcohol, and the high life.

The journey takes a twist when Chuck Berry encounters legal troubles, which leads Leonard to discover another gifted artist, Etta James, who steps in during this turbulent time. As music tastes begin to evolve and the popularity of their sound wanes in the late sixties, Leonard Chess ultimately decides to exit the record scene. This tale encapsulates the trials, triumphs, and profound influence of a studio that changed music history forever.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Cadillac Records

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Cadillac Records - Trailer

Cars Featured in Cadillac Records

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Explore all cars featured in Cadillac Records, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Austin

1958

FX4

Buick

1956

Special

Cadillac

1956

Coupe DeVille

Cadillac

1955

Eldorado

Cadillac

2008

Escalade ESV

Cadillac

1954

Fleetwood 60 Special

Cadillac

1956

Fleetwood 60 Special

Cadillac

1957

Fleetwood 60 Special

Cadillac

1956

Sedan DeVille

Cadillac

1965

Sedan DeVille

Movie Themes and Keywords

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billboard the magazinemusic bandman in a bathtubarson fire1940sinterrupted sexjunkyarddrug overdosecadillacjewish manfolk musicbare chested malesharecroppercar as a giftsex sceneblack harmonica playerfemale singermississippirace musicwritten and directed by femaledirected by writerepiloguehusband wife relationshipwomanizerimplied fellatiochild born out of wedlockfemale topless nuditycompetitorcountry western singerracial integrationcrossover artistreference to minnesota fatscultural appropriationincarcerationreference to the rolling stonesdeed to house1960slondon englandrock and roll hall of famefemale directorfemale filmmakerinterracial romancerock music1950sf ratedjazz musicjazzsouthern accentrecording studioracist cop

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