Pat O'Brien

This vivid, high-energy human tableau interweaves the lives and passions of a middle class, small town family against the scandals and events of a transitional America in 1906. Director Milos Forman and producer Dino De Laurentiis have assembled an all-star cast - including legendary James Cagney - that brings the best-selling E.L. Doctorow novel to life in unforgettable fashion, with memorable music by composer/conductor Randy Newman. Ragtime is both a compelling story of human emotions and a reflection of the innocence, excitement and drama of that important time in America's history.

When Chicago musicians Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) accidentally witness a gangland shooting, they quickly board a southbound train to Florida, disguised as Josephine and Daphne, the two newest - and homeliest - members of an all-girl jazz band. Their cover is perfect... until a lovelorn singer (Marilyn Monroe) falls for "Josephine," an ancient playboy (Joe E. Brown) falls for "Daphne," and a mob boss (George Raft) refuses to fall for their hoax!