CADILLAC RECORDS directed by Darnell Martin:
1. The film is entitled Cadillac Records yet chronicles the story of Chess Records. Why did the producers choose to call it Cadillac Records?
What is the significance of the title?
2. What role did Cadillacs, homes and other material items play in the film?
3. Describe the relationship between Leonard Chess and Muddy Waters. How did the relationship change over time? Have you had relationships that
have changed or evolved over time? If so, how?
4. Little Walter didn’t drink in the first part of the film, why did he begin drinking?
5. Little Walter’s mother passed away. How did he react? Have you or a friend had a similar experience? If so, how did you/they react?
6. After Little Walter quit Muddy Water’s band, how did Walter change?
7. Towards the end Leonard took the amp away from Walter. What did this signify to Walter? Have you ever had something taken from you similar to
Walter? If so, how did it affect you?
8. During the film The Beach Boys and Elvis Presley were heard, shown or mentioned. What was the purpose of this?
9. Chuck Berry’s introduction into the film was a changing point for music, how did it affect Muddy Waters and other older musicians?
10. Leonard Chess stated tha Chuck Berry integrated the airwaves. Are there other artists, past or present, that have had such an impact
crossing over musical lines? If so, who and how?
11. Chuck Berry had two incidents, one where he was denied the opportunity to perform and then when he was arrested for transporting a minor
across state lines. What are your thoughts on these incidents? Would he have had the same issues if he was white?
Could/does this happen today?
12. Racism was apparent in various police dealings with Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry and Little Walter. Has society changed in
how it deals with racial issues? If so, has it changed for the better or worse? Explain.
13. Have you ever dealt with racism like the characters in the film did? Do you know anyone that has dealt with racism?
14. What were some of the issues that Etta James was dealing with? Do you know anyone that has or is dealing with similar issues?
15. How did she deal with these issues? How do you and your friends/peers deal with issues?
16. Muddy Water’s girlfriend, Geneva, accepted at some level, his infidelity. Why do you think she did that? Do you know of anyone that acts in
the same way?
17. Towards the end of the film, after Little Walter’s death, Muddy Waters says “I killed Walter…”, what does he mean by this?
18. What impact do you believe these individuals had on music and culture, both then and now? What current artists do you believe will have a
similar impact 50 years from now?
19. Leonard Chess moved money around to help his musicians. Was this ethical? Are there similar things occurring today?
20. At the end of the film, Howlin’ Wolf said “It feels good not to have a daddy”, what did he mean by this? Do you think he was right?
21. As society changed so did the music, how do the two parallel each other?
22. Leonard Chess’s work was obviously influential. Could he be considered a leader? If so why? If not a leader, how would you describe him?
23. Do you feel that Leonard Chess treated the musicians that he recorded fairly? Did he improperly benefit from their talents?
If so how?
24. Can you relate to the characters in the film? If so, who and why?
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