Bubbling Over (1934) User Reviews

Ethyl Waters and the Southernaires Quartet are the highlights of the stereotypical short Bubbling Over

[tavm · 4/10 · 1 February 2012]

With today the first day of Black History Month, I'd thought I'd once again review movies starring, and in some cases directed by, many people of color. We're in 1934 when Ethyl Waters has made a short meant for segregated theatres. She plays the wife of a man who is lazy with a capital L and has various relatives that are living with them who are the same. There's also a fake swami (Frank L. Wilson) and a "rich" uncle involved. I'll stop there and just say I was partially amused and partially cringing during the whole thing but the four songs that are performed are quite good like "Darkies Never Dream" by Ms. Waters (despite the politically incorrect title) and "Hang Your Hat in a Harlem Flat" sung by four more visiting relatives called the Southernaires Quartet. In summation, Bubbling Over is worth a look for anyone curious about these obscure films featuring some icons. By the way, Hamtree Harrington is listed on this site as playing lazy husband Samson but on Wikipedia it's as his uncle Presbee.

Wow...this film might just make the politically correct out there have an aneurysm

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 20 October 2009]

In this world, there are many politically correct types who should definitely NOT see this film as they are likely to have an aneurysm or at least babble on insufferably when watching BUBBLING OVER. While this short musical was made by a Black production company for use in Black movie houses (back when they were segregated), the film abounds with tons of stereotypes that would make people in the 21st century sit up and take notice!! In other words, some of the very negative stereotypes the Whites had of Blacks were actually internalized and shared by many in the Black community. In this film, Black men are mostly shiftless--with no desire to work. In the world of BUBBLING OVER, these men are rather child-like--wanting to sleep and eat and,....well not much more! In addition, much of the humor seems like the stuff you'd see in an old episode of "Amos 'n Andy".

The film begins with Ethel Waters singing. I know she's a legend, but her songs didn't do much for me. However, the singing group the Southernaires Quartet was great fun and I wish the film had used them more. The plot involves Ethel's shiftless husband. The scenes with her trying to wake him are quite offensive...but also quite funny. Later, his insane uncle comes to the house--claiming to be a millionaire. Well, unaware of his sanity, the family puts out the dog for him--hoping that he'd share a little of his wealth with them. Unfortunately, it all ends with him being caught and taken back to the local nut house. It's reasonably funny but rather rough in style. Yes, it will likely be offensive to many with today's sensibilities. Frankly, I do think you should still watch it. First, because it's important to know your history and be aware of where you've been as a society. Second, because the film is likable and silly--and it would be a shame if it were totally ignored just because it is no longer fashionable.

watch out for kleptomaniacs who think they're "Emperor Jones"

[FieCrier · 18 January 2008]

I think this is the right "Bubbling Over"...

In this all-black short musical comedy, a woman has a husband so lazy she can stick a pin in him without him waking up... but announcing lunch gets him up pretty fast. She's also saddled with a bevy of his lazy relatives. Four more come by and sing as a quartet. After the wife learns they had been traveling men, she advises them to keep traveling and kicks them out. The phony Swami who lives upstairs announces that a wealthy relative will come by to share his wealth; unfortunately the man has actually just been mistakenly released from a mental asylum.

There's several songs, and nothing's terribly memorable, but it's enjoyable enough while it lasts.

Her Mournful Style

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 20 June 2011]

The short subject Bubbling Over finds Ethel Waters as the janitor's wife in a Harlem apartment house who is the only working member of her household. In a situation that predates her role in Cabin In The Sky Ethel has a lazy good for nothing husband who has the job, but Ethel does the work.

But the main reason for seeing this film is to see Ethel Waters deliver two sad ballads as only she could do. Waters was appearing on Broadway at this time in As Thousands Cheer and while the songs here don't match Heat Wave and Suppertime which Irving Berlin wrote for her, they certainly fit her mournful style perfectly. You won't forget Darkies Don't Dream after hearing her sing it.

Ethel Waters, nothing else to say.

She's more than welcome to be takin' my time.

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 13 December 2021]

A year before this short was made, Ethel Waters made Broadway history by introducing the solemn "Suppertime" in the musical revue "As Thousands Cheer". That song dealt with her preparing the family dinner, wondering how she was going to tell her children that their father was dead, the victim of a lynching. In the same musical, she really swung as she introduced Irving Berlin standard "Heat Wave" which is still performed today. Waters broke ground on Broadway and in film, and at least this short documents her powerful talent.

In this all black short, she's a hard-working wife and mother, complaining that all her family does is lay around all day, insisting that they should be tired of resting all the time. Her small apartment is literally the Dew Drop Inn, but among those who drop in are some very talented musicians including an amazing quartet. But they are under foot so she kicks them out, and sings a plaintiff torch song that unfortunately contains some now offensive lyrics. But the point is made in spite of that, and she delivers beautifully. There's a twist of course that will hopefully bring her some happiness, a depression-era black audiences, maybe some of that hope rubbed off on them too.