Gilda Gray who popularized the shimmy in America made one of her few sound films in this feature based on the popular tragedy of Frankie and Johnny.
One of the reasons this short subject is not better known and with it Ms. Gray for today's times is the horrible and slovenly way that black people are stereotyped. Some nice Negro spirituals as well as the famous Frankie and Johnny song are used, but the stereotypes take over when Gilda is not doing her shimmy.
Anyway she's in love with Walter Fenner as Johnny, but Johnny's been stepping out with Nellie Bly. As the legend goes, He Was Her Man, but he was doing her wrong.
Fenner truly does play it in a most despicable way. Makes you wonder what she saw in him in the first place.
Interesting short subject, but horribly dated and racist beyond belief.
One of the reasons this short subject is not better known and with it Ms. Gray for today's times is the horrible and slovenly way that black people are stereotyped. Some nice Negro spirituals as well as the famous Frankie and Johnny song are used, but the stereotypes take over when Gilda is not doing her shimmy.
Anyway she's in love with Walter Fenner as Johnny, but Johnny's been stepping out with Nellie Bly. As the legend goes, He Was Her Man, but he was doing her wrong.
Fenner truly does play it in a most despicable way. Makes you wonder what she saw in him in the first place.
Interesting short subject, but horribly dated and racist beyond belief.
