A Bundle of Blues (1933) User Reviews

"Keeps Raining All The Time"

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 23 November 2008]

Unlike his previous short subject A Bundle of Blues dispensed with anything resembling a plot. This film simply has Duke Ellington and his Orchestra playing a pair of instrumental jazz compositions and then having Ivie Anderson do a soulful rendition of Stormy Weather.

Maybe because Ellington wanted the audience to concentrate on him and his music rather than Stormy Weather which Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler wrote was the reason the short subject wasn't entitled Stormy Weather. It certainly is the highlight of the short.

One person said this was Lena Horne and it certainly sounds like her, but she was a kid when this short was made. Lena would be making the big time in the next decade. What we're listening to is the beautiful strains and watching the beauty of Ivie Anderson who was Ellington's regular female vocalist.

Anyway you slice it, A Bundle of Blues is for real music lovers.

A Bundle of Blues is a nice showcase for Ellington and featured singer Anderson

[tavm · 8/10 · 9 February 2008]

As the credit for Duke Ellington and his Orchestra slowly blinks back and forth, it dissolves to the marquee with the name still standing. Then we go right to the performance with the band playing one composition before going into "Stormy Weather" with featured singer Ivie Anderson, then one more jazz instrumental with a couple of female dancers before it's called a reel...This was another musical short compiled for the DVD collection "Hollywood Rhythm Vol. 1: The Best of Jazz and Blues". Since there's no contrived plot to mess things up, this was quite a find indeed. What there is here are some unusual wipes like during the "Stormy Weather" number when Ivie is transposed from the stage to a house inside as she watches rain through a window which wipes through other areas with storms brewing. Some of the wipes during the instrumentals are shaped like musical notes. So on that note, A Bundle of Blues is essential for anyone interested in everything Ellington.

The blues are only on the screen.

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 3 December 2016]

There's a reason that this fabulous music is still sung today, performed on Broadway in the frequent musical revue like "Ain't Misbehavin'", "Sophisticated Ladies" and "After Midnight", and its stories documented in show like "Bubbling Brown Sugar" and "Shuffle Along". Here, the focus is on the wonderful Duke Ellington. This starts off with a bit of Duke's orchestra, followed by a profound "Stormy Weather" where off stage visuals add a profound effect to the song, including some special effects and a masterful use of camera work. The one reel concludes with a hot dance number which will send you out on a jazzy high.

You really should see this one...

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 14 July 2012]

Of all the musical shorts on the disc "Hollywood Rhythm: Volume One", this might be among the very best. There's just so much to like about this short chock full of the great Duke Ellington and his orchestra. One of the best thing is that unlike many of the other Black shorts of the day made by White studios (such as Paramount and Warner-Vitaphone), Ellington is a man--not a walking stereotype of what American might have wanted to see in a talented Black man. He was very well-spoken and proud and none of the silly theatrics of the time were used to demean him or his music. I also liked Ellington's version of "Stormy Weather". While Ivie Anderson's singing of the song isn't nearly as good as the famous Lena Horne version (Anderson sings with much less feeling), Ellington's version of the song is slower and more languid--and very, very good. Overall, this is a delight for anyone who loves history or great music. Well worth anyone's time...unless they have absolutely no taste.

Duke Ellington

[boblipton · 9/10 · 19 November 2002]

Ellington and his orchestra give you a hint of his 'Jungle Period' music, and then move into "Stormy Weather" sung by Ivy Anderson. Although no one can beat Lena Horne singing this song, it's wonderful to hear a clean recording of Ellington's orchestra at this time, with its lush orchestrations.

The Duke Is Top

[Michael_Elliott · 1 May 2011]

A Bundle Of Blues (1933)

*** (out of 4)

There's certainly no plot to be found in this Paramount short but what it lacks in story it certainly makes up in music. Duke Ellington and His Orchestra perform five songs and to say there's fire to them would be an understatement. Bugle Call Rag, Lightnin', Rockin' in Rhythm, A Bundle of Blues and Stormy Weather are the five songs and it's doubtful you could play this to anyone and they not feel something positive. The Stormy Weather tune will always be remembered for the Lena Horne version from the film of the same name but I was quite impressed with the version done here. It doesn't contain that certain sting that the Horne version does but I thought they did a good job with the number. The other numbers aren't quite as entertaining but it's still impossible for you to grow boring. Ellington's entire performance here hits all the right spots as the tempo pretty much stays the same from number to number but this is still pretty powerful stuff. Just check out the number when a couple female dancers do a little act and see how well shot it is and how well it goes against the music being played. Fans of Ellington's music will certainly do themselves a favor by checking this short out, which can be found on the Kino release titled Hollywood Rhythm Vol. 1.