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IMDbPro

St. Louis Blues

  • 19291929
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 16m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
444
YOUR RATING
St. Louis Blues (1929)
ShortDramaMusic
In her only known film appearance, legendary blues singer Bessie Smith witnesses her lover's betrayal, then sings a powerful rendition of the title song.In her only known film appearance, legendary blues singer Bessie Smith witnesses her lover's betrayal, then sings a powerful rendition of the title song.In her only known film appearance, legendary blues singer Bessie Smith witnesses her lover's betrayal, then sings a powerful rendition of the title song.
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
444
YOUR RATING
    • Dudley Murphy
    • Dudley Murphy
  • Stars
    • Bessie Smith
    • Jimmy Mordecai
    • Isabel Washington
    • Dudley Murphy
    • Dudley Murphy
  • Stars
    • Bessie Smith
    • Jimmy Mordecai
    • Isabel Washington
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 12User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Photos

    J. Rosamond Johnson
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    Top cast

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    Bessie Smith
    Bessie Smith
    • Bessie - Battered Wife
    Jimmy Mordecai
    • Jimmy the Pimp
    Isabel Washington
    • Jimmy's Girlfriend
    Hall Johnson Choir
    • Choir
    Edgar Connor
    • Craps game leader
    Johnny Lee
    • Bartender
    Hall Johnson
    • Choir Leader
    • (uncredited)
    James P. Johnson
    • Piano Player
    • (uncredited)
    Alec Lovejoy
    • Gambler
    • (uncredited)
    Thomas Morris
    • Coronet Player
    • (uncredited)
      • Dudley Murphy
      • Dudley Murphy
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This short film starring Bessie Smith was built around the blues singer's song of the same title. It is the only footage of her in existence.
    • Connections
      Edited into Bessie Smith (1969)
    • Soundtracks
      St. Louis Blues
      (uncredited)

      Written by W.C. Handy

      Sung by Bessie Smith

    User reviews12

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Must-See Race Film
    St. Louis Blues (1929)

    *** 1/2 (out of 4)

    This early race Musical is without question one of the strongest I've seen for a number of reasons. The plot is fairly simple as legend Bessie Smith walks into a gambling hall and catches her husband with a younger, prettier woman. She begs for him to come back with her but the husband knocks her to the ground and walks out, which causes Bessie to pour herself a drink and sing the title song. This film works on a number of levels but as a race movie I think it's perhaps the best I've seen from the 20s or 30s. We've seen a black gambling house in house white films made by white folks so it was very interesting seeing the difference here and I'm going to go out on a limb and say this here is a lot more authentic than what the major studios were showing. The film is also interesting because it shows how women were looked at during this era because we see Bessie get knocked down and kicked yet she begs for the man to keep her. Even before this happens Bessie storms into the room and beats the fire out of the other woman, which is certainly something that didn't show up in those MGM shorts. Finally, I've read that this is the only known video footage of Bessie Smith and man what a voice she had. Her singing the blues would make anyone a fan of the genre and she certainly gives it her all and delivers a strong vocal performance. Her acting ability wasn't the greatest but I thought she did OK with it. The film is extremely raw and authentic and part of this is probably due to the obvious low-budget. This film works on just about every level and is highly recommended.
    helpful•2
    2
    • Michael_Elliott
    • May 1, 2011

    Details

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    • Release date
      • September 8, 1929 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
      • RCA Photophone, Gramercy Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • RKO Radio Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 16 minutes
      • Black and White

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