Duke Ellington in a jazz musical short with a tragic plotline.Duke Ellington in a jazz musical short with a tragic plotline.Duke Ellington in a jazz musical short with a tragic plotline.
- Awards
- 1 win
Photos
Duke Ellington Orchestra
- Cotton Club Orchestra
- (as The Cotton Club Orchestra)
Barney Bigard
- Band Member - Clarinet Player
- (uncredited)
Wellman Braud
- Band Member - Bass Player
- (uncredited)
Hall Johnson
- Choir Leader
- (uncredited)
Arthur Whetsol
- Trumpet Player
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAn advertising poster for this film is pictured on one stamp of a set of five 42¢ USA commemorative postage stamps honoring Vintage Black Cinema, issued 16 July 2008. Other films honored in this set are The Sport of the Gods (1921), Princesse Tam-Tam (1935), Caldonia (1945), and Hallelujah (1929).
- Quotes
Fredi - Duke's Girlfriend: Duke, I've got some wonderful news! I've just landed a job in a nightclub. And I'm going to dance and you're going to play. Isn't that wonderful?
- ConnectionsFeatured in Black Shadows on the Silver Screen (1975)
Featured review
Aside from some unfunny comedy, this is a nice showcase for what was occurring in the Harlem Renaissance.
This film was included in the three DVD set "Saved From the Flames"--a collection of mostly ephemeral movies that have managed to avoid turning to powder, catching fire or melting--something that usually happened with the nitrate film stock used up through the 1950s. Like so many of the very early sound films, the sound quality is fair at best. However, it is your earliest sound film featuring Duke Ellington--and that alone makes it worth seeing and hearing.
Wow....will this film make a few heads turn here in the 21st century! It features some VERY broad acting by some VERY stereotypical black men--men who love to drink and are illiterate. I think this 'comedy' was included to please white audiences who might have seen it, as this was the sort of image of black America they felt comfortable seeing. Then, after the pair leave, Ellington and his friends perform some nice jazz--and inventive camera work. Personally, I think they should have just shown the jazz and dancing of the folks from the famed Cotton Club instead of inserting the needless comedy--especially as it isn't particularly funny.
As a window into the Harlem Renaissance, this is an invaluable film historically speaking. Lovers of early jazz will no doubt enjoy it and you can't help but admire these talented folks.
Wow....will this film make a few heads turn here in the 21st century! It features some VERY broad acting by some VERY stereotypical black men--men who love to drink and are illiterate. I think this 'comedy' was included to please white audiences who might have seen it, as this was the sort of image of black America they felt comfortable seeing. Then, after the pair leave, Ellington and his friends perform some nice jazz--and inventive camera work. Personally, I think they should have just shown the jazz and dancing of the folks from the famed Cotton Club instead of inserting the needless comedy--especially as it isn't particularly funny.
As a window into the Harlem Renaissance, this is an invaluable film historically speaking. Lovers of early jazz will no doubt enjoy it and you can't help but admire these talented folks.
helpful•62
- planktonrules
- Jul 9, 2011
Details
- Runtime19 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.20 : 1
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