Movie of the Week: Broken Strings (1940) - Review

Broken Strings (1940) was the featured film for the week of May 19th-26th.

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*Epilepsy Warning: 
Use of animated GIF images near bottom*

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"After noted violinist Arthur Williams (Clarence Muse) suffers a hand injury which ends his playing career, his hopes are transferred to his son (Johnny, played by William Washington), who prefers swing music to classical." [IMDb]

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Oh, the many race movies I've watched and thought "all it needed was a bigger budget..." This was the case with Broken Strings. The story wasn't new: classic/classical music lover hates the more popular music of the time; child wants to play that popular music. But different elements, such as, the instrument used (violin), secondary stories, and I'll say it--an all-black cast--gives the movie a special spin.


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Story/Writing

Again, the storyline was simple, not exactly something fresh and new to the screen (a film with a similar storyline I can remember off the bat is 1938's Everybody Sing). However, the secondary storylines are what really "make" this movie--especially the ones that formulate after Arthur's hand injury. There's stubbornness, disobedience, jealousy, framing, deceitfulness, and even with all of this, the movie manages to not turn into something you'd see in a Murder-Mystery Dinner show. 

Nobody gets murdered, by the way.


Of course, all of those elements and additional storylines would require more time--and Broken Strings didn't have that, which serves as a negative for the film. Everything is rushed and jam-packed to this 60 minute movie, leaving very little time to let things cook before they're uncovered! Very unfortunate.



Characters/Acting

There wasn't one character that this film could have done without. Every major character had a purpose. As far as the acting goes, I'm going to come right on out and say that the only good actors in this movie were the more trained and seasoned ones--Clarence Muse, Matthew "Stymie" Beard (as Dickie Morley, a young, aspiring, but pompous violinist), and Edward Thompson (who is barely even in the movie). 

Young "Stymie" Beard

Everyone else...William Washington, Sybil Lewis (as Arthur's daughter, Gracie), Tommie Moore (as young pianist, Mary)...they all needed a little work. 


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Honorary Mentions

It's always a treat to see Ms. Ruby Dandridge, who plays a small, but memorable role. Ironically, when Ms. Dandridge first came to Hollywood with her daughters in the early 1930s, she sought counsel from Mr. Muse on getting her daughters (Vivian and Dorothy) into movies. 

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If you look very closely in one of the nightclub scenes (in fact, you don't even have to look closely, her face is unmistakable), you'll see the late Juanita Moore sitting down from a dance.

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The Stevens Sisters

These talented little ones appear near the end of the film. I made animated GIF photos of them!

(Left to right): Charmaine, Cecile, Leonetti

The girls are singing a song called "Kentucky Babe"

Charmaine and Leonetti tap dancing

Little Cecile tap dancing

*I wonder where The Stevens Sisters are today?*



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Directing/Cinematography

For the most part, Broken Strings was simply shot, but there were some cool effects added to keep the audience's interest--some Busby Berkeley-like kaleidoscope effects, tilted camera movements, faded images in the background--all things used to give the movie a "fantasy" feel. They also helped to create the sense that time was flying by (as if the movie needed any more of that). They didn't go overboard with these effects, either.


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Overall Thoughts

I highly recommend that you watch Broken Strings. Bad acting aside, it is very entertaining. In fact, it ranks pretty high on my list of great race movies.


*Broken Strings (1940) on YouTube*
(Animated GIF images created from ^this^ link)

Rest in Peace, Herb Jeffries

The "Bronze Buckaroo", Mr. Herb Jeffries passed away yesterday (Sunday, May 26th) at the age of 100.

From Jazz Wax

I send all of my love and my condolences to Mr. Jeffries' family and friends.  

The New York Times


*Update*

A fundraiser has been created to finance Mr. Jeffries' funeral. If you have it to give, please donate.


Herb Jeffries Funeral Fundraiser

That's Old News! (#6)

I hope you find interest in this month's featured articles!

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"My pappy was a crap-shootin' fool," he mimics himself with disdain. "That don't rub me too good today."

Matthew "Stymie" Beard--one of the original "little rascals".

Matthew "Stymie" Beard didn't care too much for his dialogue in the Our Gang series. In fact, he'd grown to actually hate the shorts. Read his interview with the Associated Press--included in a February 1973 issue of St. Petersburg Times. [Click here]

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"One by one they came and said there was no crabmeat, there was no steak, there was no wine," she said. "Then the waiters wouldn't even come near us. It was just silence."

Josephine Baker in her famous banana skirt

International superstar, Josephine Baker spoke to the Associated Press about her horrendous experience in The Stork Club in New York. You can read about the infamous incident in The Milwaukee Journal. [Click here]

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"Shortly after concluding a performance Friday night at the Alhambra Theatre in this city, Lawrence Chenault, for the past score of years, one of the most popular dramatic stars, fell to the floor in a state of complete collapse."

Lawrence Chenault with Iris D. Hall in The Symbol of the Unconquered (1920) (POCCF Screenshot)

An emotional Lawrence Chenault collapsed while performing one night. According to The Afro-American, the actor had just lost his longtime friend, a ventriloquist named Johnnie Woods. Click here to read the 1928 article.

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"Miss Dunham and her vastly talented troupe have really concocted an undefinable and enormously gratifying melange. From the hot lands of the Caribbean, the gifted dancer-choreographer-singer-director has garnered native rhythms of many years and locales and has placed them on the stage to be sung, danced, and mimed."

Katherine Dunham in 1956

Donald Steinfirst praised a 1948 dance revue choreographed and directed by Katherine Dunham, and performed by her and her dance company. Read the review in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by clicking here.

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"Alvin Childress...just call him 'Amos'

Thought he'd be a doctor...college proved turning point."

Alvin Childress as "Amos" (of Amos 'n' Andy) in 1951

The Afro-American dedicated a biographical column to actor, Alvin Childress, a star in one of television's most popular shows in the early 1950s, Amos 'n' Andy. Click here to read it.

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"Albert Einstein Theorizes With Actress Eartha Kitt"

Eartha Kitt as "Catwoman" in the Batman television series

Blossoming starlet Eartha Kitt discussed everything from reincarnation to the state of theatre with Professor Albert Einstein in his Princeton, New Jersey home. Read all about the hour long talk in this Palm Beach Daily News article here.

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Again, I hope you find these article links to be interesting and informative! :) 

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Unless noted otherwise, the images in this post were obtained from Wikipedia. They are being used for informational purposes only. If the rightful owner(s) of any of these images wishes to have them removed, please contact me, and I will do so immediately.

--Adrienne

Movie of the Week: The Scar of Shame (1927) (Review)

The Scar of Shame was the featured film for the week of May 12th-19th.

*Epilepsy Warning: 
Use of animated GIF images*

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From Wikipedia

An educated, upscale young black musician (named Alvin Hillyard - played by Harry Henderson) marries a woman (Louise Howard - played by Lucia Lynn Moses) from a lower socioeconomic class to get her out of the clutches of her stepfather ("Spike" Howard - William E. Pettus), who beats and abuses her. However, once he "saves" her, he won't let his new wife meet his mother, as he knows she will be angry and disappointed with him for marrying someone "below his station". [IMDb]

Oh, there's so much more to this film than that IMDb summary, but going any further would require some spoiler alerts. 


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Story/Writing
Screenplay by David Starkman (also the producer)

Alvin (Harry Henderson) consoles Louise (Lucia Lynn Moses)

There really isn't much I have to say about The Scar of Shame's writing. As far as the plot goes, it nicely written and played out very well. The few problems I did have--problems having to do with social issues--will be discussed in my 'Overall Thoughts'.

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Characters/Acting

Like the storyline, this movie's characters were very well written. They were multi-dimensional, they were genuine, and they were human. Of course, you had your protagonists and antagonists, but no one was "all good" and no one was "all bad". There's one character who isn't mentioned in the summary--a very important character, actually. His name is Eddie Blake (played by Norman Johnstone) and he's a friend of Louise's father who devises a scheme to break up Louise and Alvin's marriage.

Eddie Blake (Norman Johnstone) wants to "talk" to Louise)

This particular character is more of an antagonist than the abusive father, but at one point (a very small point), we see a little inkling of guilt in his face. I liked that--he was a bad guy with a conscience, but not so much of a conscience that he would unrealistically do a "180" to make amends. At least, not at the drop of a hat. This is pretty much how the majority of the characters were written.


Direction/Cinematography

Both director (Frank Peregini) and cinematographer (Al Liguori) paid great attention to detail for The Scar of Shame--and it's very obvious. They made great use of the motifs and the editing was seamless. Like the writing, this is another aspect of the film I really don't need to go on and on about--it was all good. Throw up my "OK" sign, good. 

One of the symbol's of the film's recurring theme.

I might also add that the director and producer--both white--probably had better budgets and backing than the Oscar Micheauxs of early American Cinema.


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Overall Thoughts

Obviously, I enjoyed watching this movie. I would definitely watch it again. In fact, I can see myself watching it very often. However, I must point out the things that bother me--and I will try to do so without spoiling anything:

The character, Louise, is abused, misused, and disrespected throughout this film. When she starts lashing out at those who mistreat her, she is made out to be the "wrong" one. As I'm writing this, I still feel a little irritated. Louise deserved nothing but great things and (*cue my accent*) it was some bull that she didn't git 'em, eitha.

The point in which Louise stopped caring--or at least pretended to.

Also, the film seems to serve as a commentary on class, particularly the separation of class within the black race. It acknowledges negative attitudes and personalities that dwell in both upper class society and lower class society. However, the problems with classism--and the bad ways in which people from different backgrounds interact--are placed solely on members of the lower class in The Scar of Shame. Of course, Louise's father and Eddie Blake bring Louise physically and emotional harm, but Alvin's failure to correct his mother's snobby attitude (and the snobby attitude itself) plays a big part in the unraveling of Louise's life and sanity, as well--and neither Alvin nor snobby thinking were held accountable in the screenplay. 

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To reiterate, despite the aforementioned flaws, I still enjoyed this movie, and would definitely watch it again and again.

 I recommend that you watch it as well!

*The Scar of Shame on Youtube*

(All gifs used in this post were created using ^this^ video link)


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The images used in this post are being used for informational purposes only. If the rightful owner(s) of any of these images wishes to have them removed, please contact me, and I will do so immediately. 

--Adrienne

Movie of the Week: STORMY WEATHER (Review)

Stormy Weather (1943) was the featured film for the week of May 5-12th. Check out my video review of the 20th Century-Fox musical!

From Wikipedia

Movie of the Week: PINKY (Review)

Pinky was the featured film for the week of April 28-May 5.

From Wikipedia

Pinky, a light skinned black woman (played by Jeanne Crain), returns to her grandmother's house (Dicey Johnson, played by Ethel Waters) in the South after graduating from a Northern nursing school. Pinky tells her grandmother that she has been "passing" for white while at school in the North. In addition, Pinky has fallen in love with a young white doctor, Dr. Thomas Adams (William Lundigan), who knows nothing about her black heritage. Pinky says that she will return to the North, but Granny Johnson convinces her to stay and treat an ailing white woman, Miss Em (Ethel Barrymore). Meanwhile, Dr. Canady (Kenny Washington), a black physician from another part of the state, visits Pinky and asks her to train some African American students, but she declines. Pinky nurses Miss Em but is resentful because she seems to feel that she is doing the same thing her grandmother did. Pinky and Miss Em slowly develop a mutual respect for one another. Mrs. Em leaves Pinky her property when she dies, but relatives of the deceased woman contest the new will in court. [IMDb Plot Summary - remainder contains spoilers]

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I was going to do a video review for Pinky, but I know I would be better at getting my irritations and frustrations out in writing.

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Story/Writing

*Warning: Mention of Rape/Attempted Rape & Harassment* 

To be honest, there were a few moments in this film that I found to be unrealistic (like Pinky's white boyfriend holding her close in a courtroom full of racist white people without as much as a "gasp" from them), but overall, this was a really good story and I was not expecting it to be as good as it was. It stirred so many emotions for me--sadness, anger, pity, rage. Pinky goes places that I did not expect a 1949 film to go--in the same way that I didn't expect No Way Out to go to some of the places it went. 

My only problem with the writing is the erasure of Pinky's blackness (or her history as a black woman). To me, it seemed as though the writers of this film made the assumption that mixed race black people (or fair enough to "pass" black people) were incapable of relating to or understanding the (Southern) black experience. It would have been one thing if Pinky had grown up passing for white her entire life, or if she'd gone her entire life not knowing that she was black. Not the case! Pinky was born and raised by her grandmother, Dicey (played by Ethel Waters) in a shack on what I believe used to be a plantation, but for some reason, when she returned from nursing school, she was completely out of the loop about how the "Colored section" of the community lived. The character wasn't defiant or rebellious, but she was unwittingly doing and saying things that would have immediately lead to imminent danger for a darker person:

For example, early in the film, a stressed Pinky thought it would be a good idea for her to "take a walk" along the road of a racist town by herself--at night. She would soon be harassed by two white men in a car--because she was a woman. When she informed the men that she was black, they turned up the hostility--chasing her in their car and almost raping her. This goes to show that if Pinky were a dark or brown-skinned black woman, (she probably wouldn't have been walking along the road by herself at night, for starters), chances are, these men would have assaulted her immediately. Light or not, a black woman would not have been walking up a dark country road by herself in Mean White People Town unless she was a "bad mother--shutyomouf!". Pinky was nowhere near it. 

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Characters/Acting

Jeanne Crain

I can't say that I was able to "overlook" Luise Rainer as "O-Lan" in The Good Earth or Susan Kohner as "Sarah Jane" in Imitation of Life (1959), but I can say that I their performances were good enough for me to "tolerate" them. For me, Jeanne Crain's performance wasn't good enough for me to "tolerate" her as 'Pinky'. Whenever she mentioned being "colored" or "Negro" I couldn't restrain myself from rolling my eyes. She didn't make me (almost) believe her. Don't get me wrong, her performance was good, but it wasn't standout (and certainly not worth an Oscar nomination, in my opinion). 

The majority of supporting cast, however, gave very memorable performances--a rare occurrence in my previous viewings and reviews. 

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Jake and Rozelia

First of all, I was a bit saddened to witness Hollywood's first black Leading Lady playing such a small role twenty years after her big debut (in fact, Nina Mae McKinney's second Hollywood role--only a year after her debut--was uncredited). I was also irritated that Jake Walters and Rozelia--the only other black characters (besides Pinky, Dicey, and Dr. Canady, who we only see in two scenes) were two of the movie's most despicable characters. Nonetheless, Ms. McKinney and Frederick O'Neal (as Jake, a man whose actual profession I'm still clueless on--he owed (and stole) a lot of people's money, that's all I know) played their roles well enough to stay embedded on the audience's brain. At least mine.

Frederick O'Neal (photographed by Carl Van Vechten)

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Judge Shoreham

This character (played by Raymond Greenleaf) really didn't become significant until near the film's end. In fact, his "shining" moment (more like Mr. Greenleaf's) was his last moment on the screen--and I will tell you, what he says and does will cut you like the sharpest of knives.


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Melba Wooley

This character annoyed and frustrated me to no end--and you know what I always say: If a character makes you mad, then the actor did their job. Evelyn Varden did an amazing job as "Melba Wooley"--Miss Em's greedy and trouble-making cousin. You will not forget this character or the actress!

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Dicey & Miss Em

Ethel Waters

Ethel Waters and Ethel Barrymore both received the Oscar-nomination for 'Best Supporting Actress' for their work in this film, and the nominations were well deserved. Of course, the character of "Dicey" is your typical "mammy" stereotype--she does domestic work for Miss Em and is painfully devoted to the woman. Nonetheless, like most of the actresses who played these kinds of characters, Ethel Waters played Dicey Johnson seamlessly. 

Ethel Barrymore (photographed by Carl Van Vechten)

Miss Em is an ailing, no-nonsense woman who's actually beloved for her sharp tongue. This was the first time I'd seen a film with Ethel Barrymore in it, so as a first time observer of her work, I thought to myself: "Either Ethel Barrymore was as strict as Miss Em in real life, or she was extremely good at what she did..." I'm going to assume that the latter is the answer, especially since she was a member of acting dynasty known as "the Barrymore Family".


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Overall Thoughts

Overall, I thought Pinky was a well-written story. There were some moments that made me yell "Oh, come on, really, Pinky?!", but then, there were a lot of moments that were absolutely real and realistic--moments that filled me with anger and sadness because I knew that something like that, whatever it was, happened often in Southern communities of the time (and sometimes, still happens today). 

Of course, it was especially disappointing to not see a black actress playing this part. Black Hollywood's "it girl", Lena Horne campaigned for the role, as did the blossoming starlet, Dorothy Dandridge, but of course, neither actresses would win the role. Fredi Washington, Hollywood's go-to actress for "passing" roles had long left Hollywood for good, plus, she was 46 years old at the time of the film's release. Even the movie's own Nina Mae McKinney could have been a good candidate, but I guess that 37 would have been a bit too old for a recent college grad, as well. The studio could have gone for a big name like Lena or unknown, but to avoid controversy and violating miscegenation laws, Fox Studios decided that it would be "best" to cast a white actress, and that they did (the film still met some "miscegenation violation" trouble, anyway). The majority of Jeanne Crain's lukewarm performance (that even director Elia Kazan commented on) pained me to watch and the whole time, all I could think was "Lena Horne...Lena Horne...Lena Horne...".


However, what's done is done. I do recommend that people watch this movie for both historical and entertainment purposes.


*Watch Pinky on Youtube*



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All photos used in this post were obtained from Wikipedia. They are being used for informational purposes only. If the rightful owner(s) of any of these photos wishes to have them removed, please contact me, and I will do so immediately. (Adrienne)