Ragtime

Ragtime is a 1981 American drama film directed by Miloš Forman, based on the 1975 historical novel Ragtime by E. L. Doctorow. It is set in and around turn-of-the-century New York City, New Rochelle, and Atlantic City, and includes fictionalized references to actual people and events of the time. The film stars James Cagney, Mary Steenburgen, Howard Rollins, Brad Dourif, James Olson and Elizabeth McGovern. Ragtime featured Cagney's and Pat O'Brien's final film appearances, as well as early roles for Jeff Daniels, Fran Drescher, Samuel L. Jackson, Ethan Phillips, and John Ratzenberger.