Duke Ellington and his orchestra for a great use of emerging sound technology in Hollywood? Yes, please. To see him collaborate with trumpeter Arthur Whetsel was a treat, and he had great screen presence besides. Fredi Washington also lights up the screen in her dance number, and as UCLA film historian Ellen Scott points out, it's easy to see that she was a protégé of the great Josephine Baker. It was the debut film for both Ellington and Washington, and even if it isn't a terribly well-developed story in its 19 minutes runtime, seeing them here easily makes this film worthwhile. If you've only seen Washington in her better known role in Imitation of Life(1934) with Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers, wow, you'll see a different side of her here.
Many have pointed out the stereotypical aspects of the two guys sent over to repossess the Duke's piano early on, as they can't read or tell time, and those are probably fair criticisms. I did like the line from one of them, who says "Move your anatomy off of that mahogany," when wanting Duke to get off the piano bench though. And more importantly, the film has several very positive aspects, starting with the two lead black characters being allowed to have a romantic relationship. It's also notable that when Fredi Washington's character has a health emergency and the Cotton Club owner wants the band to play on, Duke refuses, in a nice bit of labor (and importantly a black man) not being coerced under unreasonable circumstances to perform for management. There are a couple of nice visual moments shown from the perspective of Washington's character as well - a kaleidoscope effect when she's not feeling well prior to taking the stage, and later, a soft focus on her husband's face when she's ailing in bed.
As for the dancing, the quintet of male dancers who perform as if connected at the hip produced a very nice effect, and the shots of them in reflection on the dance floor was clever. The scantily clad women, Washington included, exude energy and sexuality in the relatively short time they're on the stage. It's kind of shame this wasn't a feature length film where the story and performances could have been expanded on. As it is though, it's a nice little hidden gem. I'm happy it was a part of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures' Regeneration exhibit that I was lucky enough to see recently, and as always, am in love with TCM and host Jacqueline Stewart for having partnered with them.
Many have pointed out the stereotypical aspects of the two guys sent over to repossess the Duke's piano early on, as they can't read or tell time, and those are probably fair criticisms. I did like the line from one of them, who says "Move your anatomy off of that mahogany," when wanting Duke to get off the piano bench though. And more importantly, the film has several very positive aspects, starting with the two lead black characters being allowed to have a romantic relationship. It's also notable that when Fredi Washington's character has a health emergency and the Cotton Club owner wants the band to play on, Duke refuses, in a nice bit of labor (and importantly a black man) not being coerced under unreasonable circumstances to perform for management. There are a couple of nice visual moments shown from the perspective of Washington's character as well - a kaleidoscope effect when she's not feeling well prior to taking the stage, and later, a soft focus on her husband's face when she's ailing in bed.
As for the dancing, the quintet of male dancers who perform as if connected at the hip produced a very nice effect, and the shots of them in reflection on the dance floor was clever. The scantily clad women, Washington included, exude energy and sexuality in the relatively short time they're on the stage. It's kind of shame this wasn't a feature length film where the story and performances could have been expanded on. As it is though, it's a nice little hidden gem. I'm happy it was a part of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures' Regeneration exhibit that I was lucky enough to see recently, and as always, am in love with TCM and host Jacqueline Stewart for having partnered with them.