The Making of HALLELUJAH!

I keep unintentionally finding excellent reads on the 1929 film, Hallelujah!. First, I found an article written by an Afro American correspondent and cast member [read it here] and Wednesday night, I found a detailed post on the making of the film on Hollywood Filmograph--"a research site dedicated to Film Restoration".

POST HERE

It's a lengthy read, but it contains some great information and some rare, must-see photos. Please check it out!

That's Old News! (#4)

As you may or may not know, Google has been working on revamping the Google News Archive for a few months, and for awhile, I assumed that there was no way to access the archive. I soon discovered that there actually was a way to continue accessing vintage articles, but I just couldn't find it. Well, I finally found it--and I found it right on time! Last day of the month! Unfortunately, I won't be able to specifically search for articles from the month of March (the archive search doesn't really give you the option of being date specific), but that is A-OK. I've found some great stuff to share.

That's Old News is back! :)

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In July of 1930, nearly a year after the release of the landmark 1929 film, Hallelujah! a writer for The (Baltimore) Afro-American (also a cast member in the movie) wrote a series of articles including behind-the-scenes information on "the making of Hallelujah!". Click here to read the must-read second installment of the series titled "The Truth About Hallelujah" (Warning: use of the N-word).

Movie poster from Wikipedia

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From NNDB

Ralph Cooper, star of the previously reviewed film, The Duke is Tops "started the original Harlem Amateur Hour in April 1933 at the Lafayette Theater.  In 1934, he began the Wednesday Amateur Night at Sidney Cohen and Morris Sussman’s 125th Street Apollo Theatre. Cooper’s Amateur Night in Harlem radio shows were broadcast live from the Apollo over WMCA and carried on a national network of 21 stations. When Amateur Night at the Apollo debuted in 1934, it quickly became the leading showcase for many young, talented, new performers such as a 15-year-old Ella Fitzgerald, who went on to become one of the first Amateur Night winners. [apollotheater.org]

Click here to read an article (also from The Baltimore Afro-American) that promoted an "upcoming" Apollo stage show, hosted by Mr. Ralph Cooper (also the star of the previously reviewed film, The Duke is Tops).

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From Listal

Legendary movie columnist, Louella Parsons reported on some of the latest moves in Hollywood in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. In a 1931 column, she dubbed Toshia Mori as the next (or, in her words, "another") Anna May Wong. Read the short section here. 

(second section, scroll down just a bit)

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Bessie Smith's St. Louis Blues co-star, Jimmy Mordecai (spelled "Jimmie" in this article) introduced a dance duo to patrons of the Theatrical Grill in New York. However, that's not all that went down during an exciting week in New York. Read Harold Lockley's article titled "Thru Gotham and 'Round Harlem". 

Harlem flappers (From westga.edu)

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From Wikipedia

If a jazz-loving Floridan was given the opportunity to travel back in time, I'd recommend that they choose to travel back to a Thursday night at St. Petersburg's Coliseum in March of 1956. On February 28, 1956, St. Petersburg Times (now Tampa Bay Times) informed their readers of an upcoming tribute to the legendary Duke Ellington. Read more about the event here.

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From Jazz Street Vancouver

"Jeni Legon, Colored Star, Gets Chance in Movies"--that's the great, big title of a column written by Louella Parsons for The Milwaukee Sentinel in December of 1934. Read about Jeni's "new" role and other exciting things in store for Hollywood in 1935.


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I hope you all find these articles and columns to be important, informative, and perhaps entertaining. I'm excited to be continuing this segment! :)

Warner Archive's New Releases: Hallelujah! (1929)

Get your copy of King Vidor's Hallelujah! (starring Daniel L. Haynes and Nina Mae McKinney) today!

Hallelujah | Shop.WarnerArchive.com

Animated Gifs I Made

I've been interested in learning how to make animated gifs for a long time and I think I've finally got the hang of it. I made my first ones during the week.

From the trailer for the 1935 film, Reckless (my actual FIRST gif)

From the beginning credits for the 1940 film adaptation of The Green Hornet.

I've also shared these gifs on my Tumblr blogs: Classic Ladies/Men of Color and the Tumblr for People of Color in Classic Film.

Also, check out the gifset I made of Theresa Harris & the Hall Johnson Choir in Banjo on My Knee:

http://pocinclassicfilm.tumblr.com/post/58304943696/theresa-harris-with-the-hall-johnson-choir-singing

August 5th on TCM

It's all about Charlton Heston on Turner Classic Movies today! The legendary actor's films are being shown as apart of the channel's "Summer Under the Stars" segment. A lot of the films being shown today feature classic entertainers of color, as well......

Diamond Head (1963)

"A rich Hawaiian pineapple grower tries to control everything and everyone around him, including his headstrong sister".

This film features France Nuyen as 'Mai Chen', Philip Ahn as 'Mr. Immacona', Harold Fong as 'Coyama, Howland Cook', and a host of other performers of color. Also, be sure to keep an eye open for Hawaii Five-O's Kam Fong!

Diamond Head airs shortly at 10:45AM (EST).

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55 Days at Peking (1963)

"An American major leads the defense against Chinese revolutionaries in 1900 Peking".

"Ironically" enough, only two performers of Asian descent are credited in this film: Jûzô Itami as 'Col. Shiba' and Lynne Sue Moon as 'Teresa'. Many other performers go uncredited in this film, including Lucille Soong, the actress probably best known for her work as 'Jasmine Choong' on the series, Coronation Street, 'Popo' in The Joy Luck Club, 'Ming' in Nora's Beauty Salon, and 'Yao Lin' on the series Desperate Housewives. 

55 Days at Peking airs at 12:45PM (EST).

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Major Dundee (1965)

"Cavalry misfits cross the Mexican border to destroy an Indian 
Native American outpost".

This film features Brock Peters as 'Aesop', José Carlos Ruiz as 'Riago',
Aurora Clavel as 'Melinche', and Enrique Lucero as 'Doctor Aguilar'.

Major Dundee airs at 8:00PM (EST).

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Ben-Hur (1959)

"While seeking revenge, a rebellious Israelite prince crosses paths with 
Jesus Christ".

This film features an uncredited appearance by Les Ballets Africains as the 'Dancers at the Roman Banquet' and if my memory serves me correctly, some men of color are featured as--wait for it--galley slaves.

I could be wrong, though--my memory could be serving me incorrectly.


Ben-Hur airs at 10:30PM (EST).


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I hope you check out these films today and stay on 
the lookout for mentioned (and unmentioned) 
stars of color!


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Sources

TCM Monthly Schedule
IMDb

Movie of the Week: Boy! What a Girl! (Review)

This week, I watched our seventh "Movie of the Week"--1947's Boy! What a Girl!--a movie whose title was often repeated in the film.

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I really, really enjoyed this film and although Tim Moore has been made out to be the "star" and the "show-stealer", I have to disagree with those who share that sentiment. Each actor--particularly the comedic ones (Moore, Alan Jackson as "Tim Cummings", and Warren Patterson as "Donaldson the Landlord")--held their own in this movie and all made me "L-O-L". 

Mr. Cummings spending some time with "Madame Deborah".

Boy! What a Girl! is your average "Guy-Tells-Girl-Lie-About-Being-Rich-and-Has-to-Tell-More-Lies-to-Cover-That-Lie" kind of story, but that doesn't stop it from being an entertaining film. It was very much a Marx Brothers-meets-Eddie Murphy (in the 80's) kind of movie, and a tight budget and racist country are probably the only things that prevented it from becoming a well-known Comedy Classic today.

Small-time producers Jim Walton and Harry Diggs discussing matters.

My only problem with this movie was the lack of imagination that came with Tim Moore's character, Bumpsie. Bumpsie--a comedian who performs in drag--has to turn his act into something real to save his bosses' (Jim Walton and Harry Diggs--played by Elwood Smith and Duke Williams) hides. Somehow, the characters were convinced that Bumpsie--a man in a dime store wig and Grandma Hattie's dress--was actually a woman. Only in the movies!

Two of the "International Jitterbugs"

Other than that, this movie was hilarious and cleverly written. There's some "breaking-of-the-fourth-wall", physical comedy, awesome Jazz music, and some high-energy Jitterbugging!

I HIGHLY recommend that you watch this film!

Click Here 

to watch Boy! What a Girl! (1947) on Youtube.

Movie of the Week: The Emperor Jones (Review)

I apologize for posting this review so late! I've been super busy, but I'm back!

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The Emperor Jones is the film adaptation of the Eugene O'Neill play of the same name. I usually try to refrain from reviewing movies that are based off of plays or books (particularly when I haven't read them), but The Emperor Jones was such a monumental film for Hollywood and for Paul Robeson, that I felt it was a must-see/must-review anyway.

SUMMARY

Unscrupulously ambitious Brutus Jones (Paul Robeson) escapes from jail after killing a guard and through bluff and bravado finds himself the emperor of a Caribbean island. [IMDb]

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While watching this film, I began to really see the importance of reading the play first. Not because the film was hard to understand, but because it was very clear that a lot of things went missing. It wasn't too difficult to keep up with the story, but things were happening unbelievably fast. Brutus Jones had gone from a Pullman Porter-to-a gambler-to-a prisoner in only the first 30-40 minutes of the movie! Why the rush?

Wikipedia and IMDb gives us explanations:

The film is based rather loosely on the play, adds an entire backstory before O'Neill's actual play begins, and includes several new characters that do not appear in it (such as Jones' wife, and a friendly priest who advises him to give up his evil ways). Some people consider the movie to be just a vehicle for showing off Robeson's musical talent (he sings a number of times in the film) [Wikipedia]

About a half-hour of completely original material was added to the movie adaptation in order to give the main character, Brutus Jones, a more detailed backstory, leaving only about 45 minutes from Eugene O'Neill's play. [IMDb]

In his autobiography, Paul Robeson said he regretted making the film because it deviated too much from the play. [IMDb]

For those--like me--who've never seen or read the play, this "emptiness" is very apparent even without knowledge of the above facts. As I stated before, things were happening too fast. I believe that the writer intended for Brutus Jones' story to be a "climbing of the ladder" kind of story, but his climb was more like: 1. First step 2. Second step 3. First step 4. Top step 5. Ground again. 

Brutus Jones (Paul Robeson) looking himself over as Smithers (Dudley Digges) looks on. 

Along with the rapid pace of the movie, I didn't care too much for the its message, either--it seems to say that if a poor black man dares to want more in life, bad things will happen to him--and if he acquires power, he'll abuse it, and only spiritual torture (and the good Lawd's fo'-giveness) will save him. Oh, and a white man will stand over him to reiterate his failure.

The Emperor's power has been question.

I really didn't care too much for this movie, but Paul Robeson (as expected) definitely gave an unforgettable performance--I rarely took my eyes off of him while watching! I'd recommend that you watch it for historic purposes. 

The Emperor Jones (1933) [Youtube]

The sound quality of this video is pretty bad--high volume suggested.

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The Emperor Jones movie poster was obtained from the film's Wikipedia page.

The first photo of Brutus Jones and Smithers was obtained from moma.org; The second from UMBC.edu.

 

Movie of the Week: Melancholy Dame (Review)

SUMMARY

A nightclub owner's wife, jealous of his attentions to his star singer, schemes to get her fired. [IMDb]

This comedy short isn't exactly a "knee-slapper", but it is still quite delightful to watch--I got some chuckles out of it. The storyline wasn't new or unique, but it did have some interesting plot points to keep you entertained.

An irritable Jonquil Williams (Evelyn Preer) with her husband, Permanent (Edward Thompson)

I really enjoyed watching Evelyn Preer in this movie. It's hard to find her work online--I've only seen her in the silent Micheaux film, Within Our Gates and I've heard her song "It Takes a Good Woman to Keep a Good Man at Home". After watching Melancholy Dame, I immediately realized just how versatile and multi-talented Ms. Preer was. She's definitely a criminally unsung talent. I got a big kick out of hearing her speaking voice for the first time, too.

 It was also nice to see Mrs. Preer's real-life husband, actor Edward Thompson--he plays his meek (and often jittery) role with ease. I'm anxious to see more of the Thompsons' individual and collaborative work. 

Permanent's in some hot water with Webster Dill (Spencer Williams). 

Young Spencer Williams (previously a sound technician for the Christie Film Company) doesn't get much shine throughout the film, but this is purposely done to build up to the funny conclusion! Playing his wife is the captivating Roberta Hyson...

Sappho Dill (Roberta Hyson) and Permanent having a talk. 

Melancholy Dame was Roberta Hyson's first film, but she stole the show with her commanding presence and flawless delivery. She reminds me a lot of Erika Alexander and her character "Maxine Shaw" on Living Single. 

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The one and only problem I have with Melancholy Dame is its (torturous) dialogue! As was the case for a lot of "all-Negro" pictures (or for black characters in general), the African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) was terribly over-exaggerated. Listening to the dialogue nearly drove me crazy!!! 

Sappho knows something that Jonquil doesn't...

Other than that, this short film is fun to watch and an important piece of history. Click the link below to check it out!

Melancholy Dame (1929) [Youtube]

Youtube Find: Melancholy Dame (1929)

Hearts in Dixie and Hallelujah! were Hollywood's first all-black cast (and all-talking also) films. Both were released in 1929 (Hearts in Dixie was released in May, Hallelujah! in August). However, Oscar Micheaux and other independent companies were making "all-Colored" cast films way before Hollywood was. One film company in particular was key in helping to blaze trails for Black-American filmmakers (like Spencer Williams, Jr.) and performers--The Christie Film Company [link to a Blogpost post].

I am delighted to inform you that a Youtube user has posted a "Christie" comedy short and it is believed to be the first all-black "talkie" period. 

Opening credits of Melancholy Dame (1929)

Click Here to watch Melancholy Dame, a short comedy released on February 2, 1929 by The Christie Film Company. It stars Edward Thompson, Evelyn Preer (real-life husband and wife), Spencer Williams, Roberta Hyson, and Charles Olden. 

Enjoy!

Warner Brothers' New Release: The Decks Ran Red

The 1958 film starring legendary actress, Dorothy Dandridge, has been released as a part of Warner Brothers' Archive Collection. 

Visit Warner Archive to purchase your copy!

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*Shoutout to DorothyDandridge on Tumblr* 

Movie of the Week: Phantom of Chinatown (Review)

I hope you all have watched (or plan to watch) the featured movie of this past week, 1940's Phantom of Chinatown starring Keye Luke, Grant Withers, and Lotus Long.

SUMMARY

In the middle of a pictorial lecture on his recent expedition to the Mongolian Desert, Dr. John Benton the famous explorer, drinks from the water bottle on his lecture table, collapses and dies. His last words "Eternal Fire" are the only clue Chinese detective Jimmy Wong and Captain Street of the police department have to work on. Win Lee, Benton's secretary, reveals the doctor's dying words refer to a scroll which tells the location of rich oil deposits. Wong and Street then begin the search for the killer among Benton's associates. [IMDb]

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I actually don't have much to say about Phantom of Chinatown. I don't think it would be necessary to watch the previous "Detective Wong" films to understand this particular movie, but if you'd like to know more about the relationship between Detective Wong and Captain Street (as I would), it probably would be a good idea to watch them.

Signed publicity shot of Keye Luke

Phantom of Chinatown doesn't really stand out alongside other classic detective movies, but it was still quite a joy to watch--it was especially refreshing to see so many Asian and Asian-American performers playing non-stereotypical roles in a Classic Hollywood film. 

Lotus Long in Phantom of Chinatown

Keye Luke was one of Hollywood's most naturally talented actors--and that natural talent exudes from him as he leads this movie. Grant Withers squeezes perfectly into his role as the tough "Captain Street", a role he'd played five times before, and Lotus Long plays the mysterious "Win Len" with a cool, calm, and sophisticated demeanor--very much similar to Keye Luke's acting style. 

(L to R) Grant Withers, Keye Luke, and Lotus Long in Phantom of Chinatown

This movie's cast was a pretty good one, basically, but other than a distinct aspect of its casting, it doesn't really stand out alongside other classic detective movies (as stated before). I wouldn't say that it was highly predictable, but there simply weren't enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. However, it was entertaining enough to make you sit back enjoy the ride. 

With that said, I do recommend that you watch Phantom of Chinatown; and you can do so by clicking this Youtube link.

If Ethel were Chick...

Ethel [Waters] could have had her first starring role in MGM's Hallelujah!, which was released on August 20, 1929. She was the first choice of the film's director, King Vidor, but lost the part to a sixteen year old chorus girl named Nina Mae McKinney when "the talent man King Vidor went East to wave gold bags at me was stalled on the job by the colored theatrical people unfriendly, to me." Consequently, it was Nina, not Ethel, who was given the chance to be the first black actress to play a leading role in a Hollywood film. [From Ethel Waters: Stormy Weather, Stephen Bourne (2007)]

While Hollywood was casting dark-skinned black women in all of their "happy-to-be-serving" supporting (or uncredited) roles, they were also laying foundations for their (few) black Leading Ladies. Nina Mae McKinney would arguably (see page 181 for criticism of Oscar Micheaux's casting) set the blueprint for Hollywood's future black Leading ladies (Lena Horne, Dorothy Dandridge, etc.)--and the character of "Chick" would lay the foundation for the "tragic" roles that these women were often offered (characters that would eventually fade away by the late 50's/early 60's, though).

However, I don't want to get into the intricacies of color-coded casting--that's another subject for another day. Instead, I would like to pose a question with the hope of encouraging a lot of discussion in the 'Comments' section. Before I ask this question, keep the following things in mind: The "look" of Chick (and Nina Mae McKinney) is believed to have set the standard for Hollywood's next black Leading Ladies, but while the black community has revered these women--Nina Mae, Lena Horne, Dorothy Dandridge, etc.--there has also been criticism of the roles that they've played (tragic mulattoes, "harlots"). With that in mind, I now pose this question:

In your opinion, how would the casting of Ethel Waters in Hallelujah! have changed the course of American history for black women (of all shades and complexions) in Film, Television, Music, and perhaps society in general? 

Ethel Waters

Sidney Poitier: A Book & A DVD Collection

TCM released a collection of four Sidney Poitier films in March as apart of their "Greatest Classic Legends" series. 

You can purchase the DVD collection on TCM, Amazon, or at one of your local video stores or bookstores. 

"A baby is born with a coin in her hand. An orphan crafts a mysterious wooden object. The CEO of a large corporation finds himself under extraordinary pressure at work and at home. And on a remote hilltop on a Caribbean island, a medicine man seems to understand the meaning of all these events and to hold the key to the future."

You can also purchase Mr. Poitier's first novel, titled Montaro Caine: A Novel on Amazon or at one of your local bookstores. 

Turner Classic Movies (May 5-7)

Turner Classic Movies recently released their program schedule for the month of May. I've gone through the credits of the movies set to air between Sunday (May 5) and Tuesday (May 7) in search of performers of color. Here's what I found...

(All times Eastern Standard Time)

Sunday, May 5

Actor Rex Ingram

10:00AM God's Little Acre (1958)--featuring Rex Ingram as "Uncle Felix".

5:15PM Hello, Dolly! (1969)--featuring Louis Armstrong as the "Orchestra Leader" and "Scatman" Crothers (uncredited) as "Mr. Jones--Porter".

8:00PM Rose of Washington Square (1939)--featuring Blue Washington (uncredited) as "Prisoner". 

2:45AM Late Spring (1949) (Original Title: Banshun)--Japanese film starring Chisû Ryû, Setsuko Hara, and Yumeji Tsukioka.

4:45AM Father of the Bridge (1950)--featuring Marietta Canty as "Delilah--the Maid".

Monday, May 6

8:15AM The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921)--featuring Ramon Novarro (uncredited) as "Guest at Ball".

11:00AM The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)--featuring Olive Ball (uncredited) as "Mary--Maid".

12:30PM The Lady from Shanghai (1948)--featuring Evelyn Ellis as "Bessie", Wong Artarne (uncredited) as "Ticket Taker", Doris Chan (uncredited) as "Chinese Girl", Wong Chung (uncredited) as "Li", Preston Lee (uncredited) as "Chinese Man", Grace Lem (uncredited) as "Chinese Woman", Billy Louie (uncredited) as "Chinese Girl", Jean Wong (uncredited) as "Ticket Seller", and a host of other Asian/Asian-American performers. 

4:00PM Soldiers Three (1951)--featuring Movita (as Movita Castaneda) as "Cabaret Woman".

6:00PM King Solomon's Mines--featuring Kimursi of the Kipsigi Tribe as "Khiva", Siriaque of the Watusi Tribe as "Umbopa", Sekaryongo of the Watusi Tribe as "Chief Gagool", Baziga of the Watusi Tribe as "King Twala", and possibly a host of other black performers.

Hattie McDaniel in 1941

8:00PM The Shopworn Angel (1938)--featuring Hattie McDaniel as "Martha".

9:30PM--Boom Town (1940)--featuring Marietta Canty (uncredited) as "Karen's Maid")

Tuesday, May 6

8:15AM Irene (1940)--featuring Mildred Boyd (uncredited) as "Dancer in Harlem Version of Alice Blue Gown Number", The Dandridge Sisters (uncredited), Avanelle Harris (uncredited) as "Dancer in Harlem Version of Alice Blue Gown Number), Hattie Noel as "Herself--as "Mama" in the Show", Neva Peoples as "Singer in Harlem Version of Alice Blue Gown Number), and possibly a host of other black performers. 

10:00AM Virginia City (1940)--featuring Sam McDaniel (uncredited) as "Sam Moore--Black Driver".

3:30PM South of the Suez (1940)--featuring Jimmy Robinson as "Spying Native Boy" and possibly a host of other black performers. 

6:30PM Little Men (1940)--featuring Lillian Randolph as "Asia".

11:30PM Out of the Past (1947)--features a host of black and Latino performers--including Mildred Boyd as "Woman in Harlem Club".

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Turner Classic Movies Monthly Schedule

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All of the above images were obtained from Wikipedia. If the rightful owner(s) of any of these images wants them removed, please contact me and I will do so as soon as possible.--Adrienne