1923-1939 Jazz, Blues, Spirituals and Black music and dance performances in films
List activity
220 views
• 0 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
260 titles
- DirectorJ. Searle DawleyLee De ForestStarsNoble SissleEubie BlakeIn a rare filmed record, the famed songwriters and vaudevillians perform. One of De Forest's earliest experimental sound films.parts of 2 songs
- StarsEubie BlakeBlake plays the neoclassical piece on the piano. The highest notes failed to record in this seminal experiment with synchronized sound.
- DirectorLee De ForestStarsThe Jubilee FourAfrican-American gospel group The Jubilee Four perform in a short film produced in the DeForest Phonofilm sound-on-film process.
- DirectorF.W. MurnauStarsGeorge O'BrienJanet GaynorMargaret LivingstonA sophisticated city woman seduces a farmer and convinces him to murder his wife and join her in the city, but he ends up rekindling his romance with his wife when he changes his mind at the last moment.Fletcher Henderson: part of 1 song
- DirectorDudley MurphyStarsDuke EllingtonDuke Ellington OrchestraFredi WashingtonDuke Ellington in a jazz musical short with a tragic plotline.Duke Ellington: all or part of 5 songs
- DirectorDudley MurphyStarsBessie SmithJimmy MordecaiIsabel WashingtonIn her only known film appearance, legendary blues singer Bessie Smith witnesses her lover's betrayal, then sings a powerful rendition of the title song.Bessie Smith
- DirectorHarry A. PollardArch HeathStarsLaura La PlanteJoseph SchildkrautEmily FitzroyA mostly silent version of Edna Ferber's original novel, with some songs from the musical as a last-minute additionJules Bledsoe: 2 songs; Dixie Jubilee Singers: all or part of 4 songs
- DirectorBasil SmithStarsMamie SmithJ. Homer TuttPeter GraingerMamie Smith: all or part of 2 songs
- DirectorKing VidorStarsDaniel L. HaynesNina Mae McKinneyWilliam FountaineA sharecropper decides to become a preacher after falling for a vamp from the city.Nina Mae McKinney: 3 songs
- DirectorBasil SmithStarsJules BledsoeJules Bledsoe: 2 songs
- DirectorSammy LeeStarsRaymond HackettMary DoranBrox SistersNina Mae McKinney: 1 song
- DirectorAlan CroslandStarsArthur LakeBetty CompsonJoe E. BrownA musical advertised as the first 100% natural color, all-singing production. The plot concerns a wide-eyed former hatcheck girl who takes the place of a rebellious star.Ethel Waters: 2 songs
- DirectorWalter GrahamStarsSpencer WilliamsRoberta HysonHarry TracyIn Harlem, Bud Peagler's "Barbecue Lunch and Poolroom" (the home of Brunswick Stew), also serves as the meeting place and hangout for many citizens and organizations such as 'The Sons and Daughters of The I Will Arise Society," and also Mosby's Blues Blowers. It is also where Roscoe Driggers hangs out. Roscoe claims to be the world's champion cornet player, although he can't play a note, even a sour one. But when the chance to earn $500 for playing his cornet at the big concert held by the "Over the River Burying Society" arises, Roscoe signs up. Roscoe needs $500 in order to buy a beauty shop for his manicurist-fiancée, Zenia Sprowl. Roscoe makes plans for his buddy Sam Ginn, who can play a cornet, to hide under the stage and play while Roscoe fakes it on the stage. But Sam gets taken out by some dudes who have a bone to pick with Roscoe. No sweat, though, as another of Roscoe's musician friends, Willie Trout, sees this and takes Sam's place under the stage....with his saxophone.
- DirectorMurray RothStarsThe Norman Thomas QuintetteStanley BrownAlphonse KennedyOpens with a man singing. He is followed by a couple of tap dancers and a comic drummer who is also unique. The person playing the keyboards may not ever be outperformed.Norman Thomas Quintette: all or part of 3 songs
- DirectorCarl HarbaughStarsFord Washington LeeJohn W. BubblesSpencer WilliamsIn this two-reel short, adapted and adjusted from Hugh Wiley's "Wildcat", the comedy team of Buck (Ford Washington Lee) and Bubbles (John W. Bubbles), simple in their methods and refreshing in their style, sing, dance and laugh their way to the end.
- DirectorS. Jay KaufmanStarsJames BartonElaine ArdenMattie PurnellChick Webb
- DirectorBasil SmithStarsJules BledsoeIke PaulIsmay BlakelyJules Bledsoe: all or part of 3 songs
- DirectorMurray RothStarsThe Washboard SerenadersMary BarnesBillie GriffinWashboard Serenaders
- DirectorMurray RothStarsCora Green
- DirectorMurray RothStarsRed NicholsEddie CondonThe Five PenniesMusical performance from the Roaring Twenties by this hot jazz combo, featuring Dixieland jazz, a singer and trumpet trio.all or part of 5 songs
- DirectorWilliam WatsonStarsSam McDanielGeorgia Jubilee SingersEvelyn PreerGeorgia Jubilee Singers
- DirectorBryan FoyStarsBen PollackRay BauducAl BellerJack Teagarden (with Ben Pollack): part of 4 songs
- DirectorMelville W. BrownStarsFreeman F. GosdenCharles J. CorrellSue CarolTypical Amos 'n Andy storyline has the boys trying to make a go of their "open-air" taxi business while they get caught up in a society hassle, involving driving musicians to a fancy party. All the regular characters are here (or mentioned), including the famous Mystic Knights of the Sea. The only film appearance of radio's long-running characters.Duke Ellington: all or part of 3 songs
- DirectorHanns SchwarzStarsRalph Arthur RobertsLilian HarveyWilly FritschThe young wife of a rich old husband is prevented of a fling by a gentleman-burglar, who falls in love to her.Sidney Bechet
- DirectorJoseph SantleyStarsHelen TwelvetreesFred ScottDorothy BurgessTo avoid hostilities, Maryan, the ward of Doc May, a medicine show owner, induces Pop Garner, a circus owner, to join forces with her guardian. Doc May and Daphne, his wife, work as clowns; and Garry, a singing soldier of fortune, sings along with Maryan's act. Ruth, Maryan's partner, quits to get married; and Joe, who is jealous of Garry, replaces her with Trixie, his former assistant. When Garry announces his engagement to Maryan, Trixie persuades him to join a strip poker game in a drunken state and "compromises" him in the presence of his fiancée. Grief-stricken, Maryan falls during her act, and Garry, robbed of circus funds, is arrested. In spite of her injuries, Maryan, learning of Trixie's treachery, performs the act with her and forces a confession by threatening to drop her; Garry is released and is welcomed back to the show.Clarence Muse: 1 song
- DirectorLuther ReedStarsBebe DanielsEverett MarshallBert WheelerIn antebellum New Orleans, two men vie for the affections of a beautiful young girl during Mardi Gras.Bill Robinson: part of 1 song
- DirectorJack ConwaySam WoodStarsGus VanJoe SchenckBessie LoveWhen Jack and Jerry are not playing professional baseball with the Blue Sox, they are packing them in on the Vaudeville circuit. Jack is engaged to Mary, but a gold digger named Daisy has worked her way into his confidence. When Mary sees Jack and Daisy together, she leaves Jack and Jack marries Daisy the next day. When Daisy decides that she wants into the Vaudeville act, she has Jack dump both Jerry and his baseball contract. But Jack soon finds that - no act - means no money - means no Daisy.Nina Mae McKinney: part of 1 song
- DirectorMurray RothStarsBuddy RichJuvenile drummer, Buddy Traps [sic], later known as Buddy Rich, taps out harmony out of a wide assortment of objects, from drums to bottles, can, chairs, and whatnot.Buddy Rich
- DirectorWilliam James CraftStarsJohn WrayBetty CompsonJohn HarronA reporter is assigned to do a story on a notorious racketeer.Mildred Bailey: ghost singer on 1 song
- StarsJules BledsoeA rare early forerunner of the music video, in which bass-baritone Jules Bledsoe is seen singing "Dear Old Southland", a song with new lyrics, but melody adapted from the famous spiritual "Deep River".Jules Bledsoe: 1 song
- DirectorMurray RothStarsLouise CookHugo MarianiJimmy MordecaiIn a wordless story with semi-surreal stage sets, a poor black man ventures from his ramshackle rural home to the big city, where a dancing girl in a dive two-times him. He returns to his home and wife's arms.Louise Cook dancer
- DirectorEloyce GistJames GistIf you listen to jazz, you will go to Hell, where the scorching fires of torment are mighty and endless.silent film with plot about Jazz putting you on the track to hell
- DirectorHarry A. GantStarsClarence BrooksIrene WilsonEvelyn Preer
- StarsWillie BestDaisy BuffordClarence MuseA father and daughter are leaving their southern plantation. This makes them sad, so they sing nostalgic songs.
- DirectorFrank CapraStarsJack HoltFay WrayRalph GravesJack Bradon is tasked to reach the South Pole with a dirigible.Clarence Muse: part of 1 song
- DirectorWilliam A. WellmanStarsDorothy MackaillDonald CookRalf HaroldeAfter accidentally killing the man who raped her and forced her into prostitution, a New Orleans woman flees to a Caribbean island. While she awaits her fiancé, the vicious local police chief sets his sights on her.Nina Mae McKinney: part of 1 song
- DirectorOscar MicheauxStarsEunice BrooksStanley MorrellCeleste ColeA young man named Jean in post-World War I Chicago falls in love with a beautiful girl named Edith. He proposes to her, but realizes that she's involved in the rackets and won't leave them, so he goes back home to South Dakota, where he becomes a successful rancher. There he falls for a white girl, but guilt drives him back to Chicago, where he runs into Edith again, and they agree to marry. When Edith is later found murdered, Jean is blamed for the crime.First All-Black Talkie: Don Heywood Band with Leonard Harper & Chorines; Celeste Cole singer; Louise Cook & Roland Holder dancers
- DirectorRussell MackBert GlennonStarsLew AyresAnita LouiseHarry BeresfordA young boy finds out that the man he thought was his father actually killed his real father, then adopted him.Clarence Muse: part of 1 song
- DirectorOscar MicheauxStarsCeleste ColeAmon DavisDonald HeywoodMusical numbers and comedy routines.Don Heywood Choir with Celese Cole singer
- DirectorJames ParrottStarsStan LaurelOliver HardyJune MarloweTwo guys end up in prison after attempting to sell beer to a policeman during Prohibition.
- DirectorDave FleischerWillard BowskyStarsCab Calloway and His Cotton Club OrchestraCab CallowayBilly MurrayBetty Boop and Bimbo run away from home, but that night they are scared by a chorus of ghosts singing the title song.Cab Calloway: all or part of 3 songs
- DirectorRoy MackStarsSmall's Paradise EntertainersWayman CarverSidney CatlettA group of redcaps in a train station perform musical numbers to raise money for a sick member of their group.Small's Paradise Entertainerd: all or part of 5 songs
- DirectorIrwin FranklynStarsBill RobinsonEubie BlakeJohn 'Spider Bruce' MasonThe director and star of a Harlem theater troupe puts his feelings aside to help unite two lovers.Bill Robinson, Eubie Blake
- DirectorBud PollardStarsA.B. DeComathiereVivianne BaberKnolly MitchellAn unscrupulous minister starts a 'back to Africa' movement.all or part of 2 songs
- DirectorMervyn LeRoyStarsJoan BlondellEric LindenJobyna HowlandYoung man from small town moves to New York City looking for better life.Clarence Muse: all or part of 2 songs
- DirectorDave FleischerWillard BowskyStarsLouis ArmstrongAnn LittleLouis Armstrong and His OrchestraBetty Boop and friends meet Louis Armstrong on a jungle safari.Louis Armstrong: all or part of 3 songs
- DirectorJames CruzeH. Bruce HumberstoneErnst LubitschStarsGary CooperCharles LaughtonW.C. FieldsA dying tycoon gives million-dollar windfalls to eight people picked from the city directory.Clarence Muse: part of 1 song
- DirectorDave FleischerWillard BowskyStarsThe Mills BrothersDonald MillsHarry MillsThe Mills Brothers perform two songs with the Bouncing Ball.Mills Brothers: all or part of 2 songs
- DirectorFrank TuttleStarsStuart ErwinBing CrosbyLeila HyamsA radio-singer, Bing Crosby, is none-too-concerned about his job, and an affair with Mona leads to his dismissal. When it appears Hornsby is getting and paying a lot of attention to his fiancée, Anita Rogers, station manager Leslie McWhinney buys the station, gives Hornsby his job back, and goes on a honeymoon with Anita.Cab Calloway: 3 songs; Mills Brothers: 1 song
- DirectorAubrey ScottoStarsLouis ArmstrongFanny Belle DeKnightSidney EastonA husband who listens to jazz instead of mopping the floor is brained with a mop by his wife; he dreams he's King of Jazzmania, a land of soapsuds where Louis Armstrong performs 'I'll Be Glad When You're Dead You Rascal You' and 'Shine'.Louis Armstrong: 2 songs
- DirectorRoy MackStarsEubie BlakeNina Mae McKinneyThe Nicholas BrothersTwo boys eat a blackberry pie, then they and their mother are transported to a musical set where Eubie Blake and his band are playing some great jazz.Eubie Blake: all or part of 5 songs; Nina Mae McKinney: all or part of 2 songs; Nicholas Brothers: part of 1 song
- DirectorOscar MicheauxStarsLucille LewisWalter FlemingLaura BowmanJohn Walden, left home 20 years earlier and has been "passing" as white in a town where no one knew of his background. He returns home to take his now grown sister back with him so she too can live a life as a white woman. He even goes so far as to find her a suitable white man to marry. Unfortunately, she can not get over the young black man she left back home.Bernardine Mason: all or part of 2 songs; Mabel Garrett: part of 1 song
- DirectorOscar MicheauxStarsLawrence ChenaultA.B. DeComathiereLaura BowmanA movie producer offers a nightclub singer a role in his latest film, but all he really wants to do is bed her. She knows, but accepts anyway. Meanwhile, a patron at the club gets a note saying that she'll soon get another note, and that she will be killed ten minutes after that.Don Haywood: arranger and bandleader
- DirectorDave FleischerRoland CrandallStarsCab CallowayBilly MurrayMae QuestelTrouble starts when the queen's magic mirror says Betty Boop is fairest. Cab Calloway sings "St. James Infirmary Blues."Cab Calloway: part of 1 song
- DirectorDave FleischerDave TendlarStarsDonald MillsHarry MillsHerbert MillsThe Mills Brothers perform the title song with Bouncing Ball; cartoon animals load and sail the cargo ship 'Dinah Lee' to Mills music.Mills Brothers
- DirectorRoy MackStarsNoble SissleCora La ReddThe Washboard SerenadersTwo night watchmen hear songs performed in a haunted pawn shop.Noble Sissle: all or part of 6 songs; Washboard Serenaders: part of 1 song
- DirectorDave FleischerBernard WolfStarsCab CallowayBonnie PoeBetty Boop goes to see the fearsome Old Man of the Mountain for herself; he sings the title song and a duet with Betty.Cab Calloway: all or part of 4 songs
- DirectorDave FleischerBernard WolfStarsDonald MillsHarry MillsHerbert MillsMills Brothers: all or part of 2 songs
- DirectorFred WallerStarsDuke EllingtonIvie AndersonFlorence HillDuke Ellington and his orchestra play two jazz compositions plus 'Stormy Weather' (sung by Ivy Anderson).Duke Ellington: all or part of 5 songs (1 sung by Ivie Anderson)
- DirectorRoy MackStarsEthel WatersSammy Davis Jr.Hamtree HarringtonRufus Jones, a black child, is elected President of the United States in this short musical comedy. The film features song and dance numbers by a seven year old Sammy Davis Jr..Ethel Waters: 3 songs; Sammy Davis Jr.: 1 song
- DirectorLynn ShoresStarsRae SamuelsBill RobinsonAnn SeymourA grab-bag of singers and dancers featuring, at the time, New York-based performers such as Rae Sanuels, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, the four Mullen Sisters and the team of Evans & Mayer. Dancers Pops & Louie (Albert Whitman and Louis Williams), later to be seen in Republic's "Hit Parade of 1943", are also along.Bill Robinson: part of 1 song
- DirectorDave FleischerWillard BowskyStarsDon RedmanBilly MurrayMae QuestelThe miners at Never Mine go to Betty Boop's Tavern (a jazz-jumpin' place) for lunch; back in the mine, Bimbo delves into weird realms.Don Redman: all or part of 3 songs
- DirectorLouis LewynStarsCliff EdwardsClarence MuseWarren WilliamIn this short subject, performer Cliff Edwards introduces musical numbers and archival footage of various Hollywood stars, connecting them loosely with a "tribute" to theme songs -- none of which actually are theme songs. Clarence Muse performs a song of his own composition, and a mariachi band plays a musical tribute to Lupe Velez. Other footage shows the stars visiting the Caliente racetrack in Mexico.Clarence Muse: 1 song
- DirectorDudley MurphyWilliam C. de MilleStarsPaul RobesonDudley DiggesFrank H. WilsonUnscrupulously ambitious Brutus Jones escapes from jail after killing a guard and through bluff and bravado finds himself the emperor of a Caribbean island.Paul Roberson: all or part of 4 songs; James P. Johnson: part of 1 song
- DirectorJack GoldbergStarsLucky MillinderPutney DandridgeJoe ByrdA musical comedy telling a simple story of backstage life and romance.Lucky Millinder
- DirectorJoseph HenaberyStarsClaude HopkinsClaude Hopkins & OrchestraOrlando RobersonAn elderly barber shop owner wins a sweepstake and uses the winnings to elaborately remodel his run-down shop. For in-house entertainment he hires his musician friends as the jazz orchestra and the four shoeshiners are skilled tap dancers.Four Step Brothers (with Claude Hopkins)
- DirectorDave FleischerSeymour KneitelStarsBudd HulickF. Chase TaylorHarold NicholasAn animated short chronicling the adventures of Colonel Stoopnagle and Budd.Harold Nicholas (imitating Cab Calloway): part of 1 song
- DirectorRay McCareyStarsEthel WatersSouthernaires QuartetEthel Waters & Southernaires Quartet
- DirectorMonte BriceStarsConnee BoswellMartha BoswellVet Boswell
- DirectorA. Edward SutherlandStarsW.C. FieldsPeggy Hopkins JoyceRudy ValleeAssorted wacky characters converge on a Chinese hotel to bid on a new invention: television.Cab Calloway: 1 song
- DirectorLynn ShoresStarsNick LucasAdelaide HallMary BovardAdelaide Hall
- DirectorMonte BriceStarsNick KennyArmidaArthur L. JarrettRadio Reporter Nick Kenny does a little socializing in his radio studio, greeting and schmoozing with radio performers of the day such as Arthur Tracy, Leo Reisman, Mildred Bailey, Donald Novis, Buddy Rogers and violinist Jacques Renard. Arthur L. Jarrett) then tells a little tale, in flashback, of a vacation trip he took in Mexico and was mistaken for a bandit. But he and his servant save a Mexican grandee and his daughter, Armida), from a gang of real bandits.Mildred Bailey
- DirectorFrank CapraStarsWarner BaxterMyrna LoyWalter ConnollyA runaway heiress and her sister's husband join forces to race the latter's fast horse, Broadway Bill.Clarence Muse: part of 1 song
- DirectorFred WallerStarsCab CallowaySidney EastonFredi WashingtonThis jazz musical short has a comedy plot about marital infidelity.parts of 3 songs
- DirectorRoy MackStarsBill RobinsonErnest WhitmanDusty FletcherA talented tap dancer who can't get an audition uses his prowess at playing craps to gain ownership of a musical show, making himself the star.Bill Robinson: all or part of 6 songs (2 with Hattie Noel)
- DirectorMitchell LeisenStarsCarl BrissonVictor McLaglenJack OakieA homicide detective with an eye for the ladies, investigating a murder in Earl Carroll's Vanities, allows the music revue to continue during the investigation.Duke Ellington: part of 1 song
- DirectorRichard BoleslawskiStarsMarion DaviesGary CooperJean ParkerUnion spy Gail Loveless impersonates a black maid in the early days of the Civil War, but complications arise when she falls in love with a Confederate officer.Mills Brothers: part of 3 songs
- DirectorRowland V. LeeStarsRobert DonatElissa LandiLouis CalhernAfter greedy men have Edmond Dantes unjustly imprisoned for 20 years for innocently delivering a letter entrusted to him, he escapes to get his revenge on them.Clarence Muse: 1 song
- DirectorMarc AllégretStarsJosephine BakerJean GabinPierre LarqueyZou Zou tries to help her childhood friend prove his innocence after he's accused of murder.Josephine Baker: 3 songs
- DirectorMilton SchwarzwaldStarsJoe SmithCharles DaleGloria GraftonInk Spots
- DirectorRoy Del RuthWilly PoganyStarsEddie CantorAnn SothernEthel MermanA musical comedy about a Brooklyn boy (Eddie Cantor) who inherits a fortune from his archaeologist father, but must go to Egypt to claim it.Harold Nicholas: all or part of 2 songs
- DirectorJohn FordStarsWill RogersTom BrownAnita LouiseJudge Priest, a proud Confederate veteran, uses common sense and considerable humanity to dispense justice in a small town in the Post-Bellum Kentucky.Hattie McDaniel: all or part of 5 songs
- DirectorReginald DenhamStarsIan HunterAustin TrevorLilian OldlandWhen an actor is murdered at the BBC Inspector Gregory finds he has many suspects to choose from.Elisabeth Welch: 1 song
- DirectorRay EnrightStarsDick PowellPat O'BrienGinger RogersUnscrupulous agent Rush makes singing waiter Clayton a big radio star while Peggy, who has lost her own radio show, helps Clayton.Mills Brothers: all or part of 3 songs
- DirectorJoseph HenaberyStarsDon RedmanRed & StruggieRedIn a nightclub setting, Don Redman and His Orchestra perform three songs, and one number is performed by singers/tap dancers 'Red' and Struggie. (For the list of songs, check the soundtrack listing).all or part of 4 songs
- DirectorLeo McCareyStarsMae WestRoger PryorJohnny Mack BrownRuby Carter, the American Beauty queen of the night club-sporting world, shifts her operations from St. Louis to New Orleans, mostly to get away from prizefighter Tiger Kid. Installed as the prize attraction of "The Sensation Club", ran by Ace Lamont, she quickly becomes the toast of the town and also marked as personal property by Ace, arousing the fury of Ace's former flame, Molly Brant. The not-overly-bright Tiger comes to town and is set for a title match with the champ by Ace, while the latter also has him steal some of Ruby's jewels. Ruby, no dumb-belle, figuring Ace has the fix in on the fight, uses some of her other jewels to lay a trap for Ace. Tiger confesses, after the fight, to Ruby his role in the jewel robbery while she hints that Ace was the one who slipped him the knock-out drops. Tiger goes after Ace, who, for his own reasons, has Molly locked in a closet.Duke Ellington: all or part of 3 songs (sung by Mae West)
- DirectorMilton SchwarzwaldStarsWarren BoydeAdelaide HallThe Mosconi BrothersAdelaide Hall
- DirectorLeigh JasonStarsEthel WatersSouthernaires QuartetHamtree HarringtonA family play on the nerves of a hard working housewife, but they soon get busy when a rich relative is due to arrive.Ethel Waters: 2 songs; Southernaires Quartet: 2 songs
- DirectorRoy MackStarsMills Blue Rhythm BandSally GoodingFredi WashingtonMusical and dance acts perform, first at a night club, then at a "rent party."all or part of 7 songs
- DirectorWilliam KeighleyStarsAline MacMahonGuy KibbeeClaire DoddMiddle-aged George F. Babbitt is a leading citizen in the town of Zenith, the fastest-growing community in America according to its town sign. George is a large part of that growth as a property developer and realtor.Hattie McDaniel: 1 song
- DirectorDave FleischerMyron WaldmanStarsCab CallowayDave FleischerMax FleischerA reporter interviews Max Fleischer about his creation, and Betty illustrates with excerpts from three prior cartoons.Cab Calloway: parts of 2 songs
- DirectorGeorge M. ArthurStarsAnson WeeksBob CrosbyToby WingBob Crosby feels inferior to brother Bing, but needs to land a big band job before he can marry sweetheart Toby. Auditioning for Anson Weeks' band, he fantasizes about Toby and some barely clad showgirls.Bob Crosby: all or part of 4 songs
- DirectorNorman Z. McLeodStarsGeorge BurnsGracie AllenGeorge BarbierGracie Allen assumes the "management" of the shop owned by her papa Horatio Allen, turning it into a radio station and then an aviary, with the usual Gracie Allen logic. While distracted, Papa is trying to get younger daughter, beauty contest winner Florence, married before she can head to Hollywood and get into the movies. The story moves to Hollywood, where, with Gracie around, kidnappers get kidnapped and the chatter between her and George Burns even takes a few satirized shots at Filmland, in addition to their usual unusual routines. Guy Lombardo, top-billed on the ads and posters with Burns and Allen but not the cast listings, and dance team Frank Veloz and Yolanda, fill in where needed between the cracks of the mostly on-the-fly plot, and they don't seem to be taking their gigs all that seriously either. Burns and Allen Radio fans, the few of us that still remember "radio", will love it, while others are likely to give it a "say what" or "duh", especially if they were raised on television comedy of the past twenty years.Duke Ellington: 1 song (with Guy Lombardo)
- DirectorElliott NugentStarsJimmy DuranteLupe VelezNorman FosterA struggling writer finds success writing scripts for a radio comic at the expense of his high-brow ambitions.Mills Brothers: 2 songs
- DirectorKarl FreundStarsEdmund LoweGloria StuartRuth EttingConceited radio announcer irritates everyone else at the station.Ethel Waters & Beale Street Boys: 1 song
- DirectorMilton SchwarzwaldStarsGeorgie PriceRamonaThe Ink SpotsInk Spots
- DirectorArthur HoerlStarsLaura BowmanAugustus SmithMorris McKennyIn a small Southern town, Baptist preacher Amos Berry and a local voodoo priestess, Auntie Hagar, get together to thwart the aims of a pimp who has come to town to recruit a beautiful young girl, Myrtle Simpson. In addition, Auntie Hagar's grandson is aiming to marry the young girl, which Auntie Hagar is also determined to stop.
- DirectorLeo BulgakovStarsNancy CarrollGeorge MurphyThelma ToddStarring Nancy Carroll, George Murphy, Thelma Todd, Jack La Rue, Arthur Hohl, Thurston Hall Directed by Leo Bulgakov Print: black/white Runtime: 60 min. Genre: drama In this tuneful crime drama, a falsely-convicted man escapes from prison and hides out with a comely chorine. She discovers that he has talent and the two become a popular dancing team. Their fast ascent to stardom is stopped in its tracks when the dancer's jealous ex-partner turns in the fugitive. The cops don't seem to care that the fellow is innocent and insist that he complete his sentence. If he serves his sentence quietly, they promise to release him in two years. The dancer vows to wait for him and remains true to her word.Clarence Muse: part of 1 song
- DirectorOscar MicheauxStarsAndrew BishopEthel MosesLorenzo TuckerHelen Ware, an artist's model, known as the Brown Venus is sad, discouraged and unhappy. When her men friends learn that she often poses nude, they try to become unduly "friendly" or just shun her, with the result that a beautiful girl with the figure of a Goddess finds herself without a lover. In desperation, she goes to a notorious night club and is later seen about to start on the downward trail. In New York's Harlem section, gangdom is running riot. Gangster Kid Cotton kills a man and runs away with the man's sweetheart, who is unaware of the crime until she reads about it in a newspaper at the "Mad Mullah" club in Chicago. Helen is near their table, overhears their discussion of the killing, and later finds herself involved in the case. Government undercover man Robert Fletcher trails Cotton to Chicago, and a peculiar twist of fate brings Helen to his hotel room, and a most intimate situation follows. Cotton sets up a numbers bank in Chicago in opposition the the policy gang, and a gang war breaks out. Gomez and his gang are rubbed out and Cotton becomes the king of the underworld. But the dragnet, thrown around him by Fletcher, begins to tighten.
- DirectorZoltan KordaStarsPaul RobesonLeslie BanksNina Mae McKinneyA British District Officer in Nigeria in the 1930s rules his area strictly but justly. He struggles with gun-runners and slavers with the aid of a loyal native chief.Paul Robeson: 5 songs (1 with Nina Mae McKinney)