Cab's on a train when a conductor sends him a message from the Cotton Club to change their number so he gets his band to rehearse from their compartments right away. At the next stop, Cab sends that conductor a card that has the address of a radio shop so his wife won't be so lonely while listening to her favorite singer. Before segueing to a Calloway number, we next see the conductor presenting his wife her present as he turns it on. Then he leaves for a week so the wife goes to the club herself as she sees "The Lady with the Fan" number. Cab sees her and they kiss as the affair continues at home with her husband coming back during that time with the Hi-De-Ho man hiding in the bedroom. After he threatens to shoot, Calloway comes out with his band playing right behind him as we fade out...Well, you know you're watching a pre-Code film when the leading character is allowed to get away with adultery! Other than that contrived plot, this is a wonderful showcase for the singing, conducting, and dancing talents of Mr. Cab Calloway. Presumably Prince must have seen some of Cab's movements since many of them resemble his style. So to many jazz fans out there, I recommend Cab Calloway's Hi-De-Ho.
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I was very surprised that with a title like "Cab Calloway's Hi-Di-Ho" that this musical short did NOT include his most famous song "Minnie the Moocher"--since its chorus is filled with the famous line "Hi-Di-Hi-Di-Ho". But, even with his second-string material, it's a lot of fun--as are all the Calloway shorts I've seen over the years. That's because his musical shorts ALWAYS included two important things--FUN and a SENSE OF HUMOR! For instance, the opening number is dynamite--loud, fast, fun and infectious. Also, there is a sub-plot involving a train porter and his cheating wife (who, incidentally, is making time with Calloway himself!) that just made me chuckle. It's all in good fun and a great window into our past. See this one!
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boblipton19 November 2002Cab Calloway sings some of his songs with with orchestra in his high-energy 'coke-y' style. Great music. great performance and just a touch of story about infidelity to keep things moving along. A must for any fan of jazz music. "Lady With A Fan" is performed brilliantly.
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Michael_Elliott1 May 2011Cab Calloway's Hi-De-Ho (1933)
*** (out of 4)
A rather strange one-reeler from Paramount features Cab Calloway performing three songs (I Love a Parade, Lady with the Fan, Zaz Zuh Zaz) and while they're all terrific numbers the thing that really stands out here is the story. It starts off with Calloway on a train and receiving a telegram that the Cotton Club wants him to change the opening number so he wakes his band up and they start rehearsing. After a music number we see the conductor on the train giving his wife a radio so that she can listen to Cab but instead she goes to the club to see him. The film then presents us with another number and then it flashes back to the woman's apartment where she's now making out with Cab on the couch when her husband comes back home. As you can tell, the story is certain pre-code and I found it somewhat shocking that Paramount would show the jazz star in the arms of a married woman but perhaps this was just part of the image back in the day. Even in 2011 it's pretty brass to present the story this way but at least it keeps you entertained and it's certainly something you don't typically see from this era. The three music numbers are all extremely good but the most catchy one is certainly Lady with the Fan, which takes place at the Cotton Club. The music is extremely catchy as are the lyrics and the added visuals are just icing on the cake. Fans of Cab or these period of jazz will certainly want to check this one out.