Rufus Jones for President (1933) User Reviews

Take a deep breath and relax before you put this in your DVD player...I'll explain why...

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 27 August 2011]

This is a product of its time. Because the 1930s was a rather racist period in our history, the audience watching this film today might be apt to turn it off because of the negative stereotypes (and there are plenty). However, I advise you to take a deep breath (perhaps two) and then repeat to yourself 'I do NOT need to be 100% politically correct all the time--and if I do so with this film I'll be missing some great history'. Do this as many times as you need to...then turn on the film! Why do I say this? Well, because you'll hear about 'pickininnies' and see many black characters who are giant negative stereotypes (eating fried chicken and obligatory watermelons, shooting dice, carrying razors and the like). Again, just remind yourself that this is a time that has fortunately passed--and it's STILL a great chance to see some great entertainers of the day.

The film begins with Ethel Waters yelling at her neighbor--who is yelling at Waters' kids. One of them (Rufus) is played by a very young and quite precocious Sammy Davis Jr.--and he's quite adorable. She sings him a song about 'staying on your side of the fence' and then tells him that perhaps one day he'll grow up to be president (a very progressive idea for 1933). Then, a dream sequence begins in which the very young Rufus is elected (don't ask how). Then we are treated to some great dancing from Sammy but unfortunately he also sings--and at this point in his life this was NOT his forte to say the least. It was after he was halfway through that I finally realized he was supposed to be singing the classic "I'll Be Glad When You Are Dead, You Rascal You". Waters sings one of her classics ("Am I Blue") and the singing by her and Davis' dancing are more than enough reasons to see this odd little film. The film is very peculiar but very watchable.

Historical sociological milestone worth preserving

[jeannine-17 · 7/10 · 22 January 2009]

Given the opposite circumstance of 2009 where the reality is we do have a black president, this movie takes on quite a powerful historical significance. For entertainment value I found this movie to be both engaging and repugnant. I was quite taken back of course by the blatant racism of the time, but also found the music and dancing incredible. Also it is quite cool to see Sammy Davis Jr as such a very young child actor. He plays Rufus Jones, a young boy who is being consoled by his Mammy. He is told 'Why some day you could be President'. This was so ridiculous in 1933 that it was mocked and thought to be endearing, charming and funny. The bulk of the movie is a fantasy sequence of what the government would be like if it was run by a black man. They depict the seats of government as being like a revivalist Baptist church.

The fact was when I stumbled onto this movie one day it drew me in. It is really well done and very entertaining. I believe if we can look beyond the racism we can see this movie for all it brings us. In fact to realize that it is not only not ridiculous to have a black president, but that it is normal, just makes this movie that much more relevant. It clearly marks a moment in time for our collective consciousness.

Perhaps the single most racist film I've ever seen. But it's very funny in a sick way, and shows how black people suffered not just discrimination, but true dehumanizationn.

[guanche · 8/10 · 18 February 2022]

This one checks all the worst boxes with regard to stereotypes. Mostly portraying black people as clownish simpletons with superior rhythm and dancing prowess. Rufus (a seven year old Sammy Davis Jr.) offers anyone who votes for him not one but 2 porkchops. When he takes power, presiding over an all black government, the most pressing issues are laying in a good supply of porkchops, fried chicken and watermelon. And the legislative chamber has a razor check booth. A reminder that among themselves they're not always funny.

Some of this is a real howl, despite it's crude racism. Nevertheless, it's a great illustration of how African Americans faced not just the ethnic or religious biases that afflicted many disfavored groups, but true dehumanization. It's still a gas, yet the laughter it produces is a guilty pleasure. But it also teaches a real history lesson and acts as a great counterpoint to those claiming blacks didn't have it any worse than Jews, Italians, Irish, and other white immigrant groups when it came to discrimination. Even Native Americans, who to this day are the poorest and most deprived group in the country, and also often negatively portrayed in film, were still human beings to be taken seriously. Despite the fact that it could be due to their often unfair portrayal as bloodthirsty savages. But black people were generally comic relief, their sole purpose to serve and sometimes amuse others. Not quite human. Sort of like talking animals in children's books. Hilarious in spots but very sad upon reflection.

Ethel Waters- Truly a Black Legend!

[msladysoul · 9 July 2002]

Ethel Waters is great in this short film. She sings some great song, probably white people will take offense to one of her songs "Underneath our Harlem Moon", but black folks understand it. Ethel Waters sit the standards in music and movies for blacks, she was one of the first blacks to sing on white radio, her songs were sung by everyone, she was praised by both black and whites, her voice appealed to everyone. Sammy Davis Jr. is great, he's young, but its evident to see why he made it. You think Michael Jackson and Frankie Lymon was great, well Sammy Davis Jr. is great in this, not shy at all. Great dancing and singing by well-known singing of that time. Check this one out if you can. Turner Classic Movies shows if from time to time, search hard for this one, but when you'll find it, you'll treasure it.

Judge the movie in the context of its time, not yours

[LyonME · 10/10 · 2 November 2008]

I turned this on to see the incredible Ethel Waters, whose autobiography I am now reading. I'll admit my jaw dropped when the pork chops and watermelon references started rolling in, but people cannot look at this movie as a stereotypical or racist piece. It's pretty much a short film made by blacks, for blacks at a time when the entertainment industry was quite segregated and the stereotypes to the people involved were the jokes of their time, old trends exaggerated for humor. We see modern black movies do the same thing, but with the new trends (stereotypes), "ho's" and the "hood" and such. I think if you look back in eighty years, you would find today's movies will look just as racist. What viewers should appreciate about this film is the talent of Waters and the pint-sized Sammy Davis Jr., who out taps his contemporary, Shirley Temple, and looks remarkably the same facially as he did as an adult. Everyone involved in this film clearly had a lot of fun making it. Why not enjoy it for what it is, instead of what you think it should have been?

This didn't inspire Barack Obama I'm sure

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 18 August 2020]

Now that we've actually had a black president we have an interesting perspective to view Rufus Jones For President. 8 year old Sammy Davis, Jr. plays the title role in this Warner Brothers Vitagraph short subject. Ethel Waters plays his mom and the presence of these two talents in this film and the singing and dancing they demonstrate is reason enough and the only reason to watch this dated and typically stereotypical film.

It's important to remember that this came from whte studio Warner Brothers and not from an independent black film maker of the time. Both Ethel and Sammy would be better treated by Hollywood later on. In the same year this film came out Ethel Waters starred on Broadway in As Thousands Cheer.

The stereotypes arethere, but that is not the worst thing about this film. The whole story is set in a dream sequence as Ethel rocks Sammy to sleep singing a song about being happy by staying on your own side of the fence.

What a dream crusher. Not a message that Barack Obama ever took to heart.

It's a satire, albiet not a particular successful one. Great performances

[barrymn1 · 9/10 · 15 January 2018]

To see the legendary Ethel Waters at her prime, as well as such an early performance from Sammy Davis, Jr. makes this a must-see. This despite the rather stupid attempt at satire. It did little to advance the mid-1930's plight of Black folks, other than giving the actors paying jobs!

Enjoy it for the historic performances and try to ignore the pretty awful stereotypical goings-on.

Despite stereotypes, Rufus Jones for President is worthy for Waters and a very young Davis

[tavm · 4/10 · 8 February 2008]

Well, if it weren't for Ethel Waters and a 7-year-old Sammy Davis, Jr. (here billed without the Jr.), Rufus Jones for President would be one of the worst representations of African-American stereotypes I've seen from the early talkie era and wouldn't have been worth seeing because of that. Ms. Waters is excellent here singing "Am I Blue?" and "Underneath Our Harlem Moon" while Mr. Davis shows us how his childhood experience in showbiz prepared him for his superstar status as an adult. He's so good tap-dancing here that for awhile I thought he was a little person with decades of experience. So if you're willing to ignore the negative connotations here, Rufus Jones for President should provide some good enjoyment. P.S. This marks the fourth time today I've seen and heard the song, "I'll Be Glad When You're Dead You Rascal You" performed on film, this time by Davis. Must have been a very popular song about this time.

What a shame to see such great talent squandered in this offensive, degrading short subject!

[jkpr1 · 12 February 2002]

While it is almost impossible to endure the horrible script, viewer patience is advised, because it's a thrill to see the wonderful Ethel Waters reprising her hit "Am I Blue?", then doing a segue into "Under a Harlem Moon." Her live singing, her concentration and empathetic interpretation gives one a sense of what it was like to have seen her on stage.

This short was made in 1933, the same year Ms. Waters starred on Broadway in "As Thousands Cheer" - introducing Irving Berlin's "Heat Wave," "Supper Time" and "Harlem on My Mind." It was also just after she played the Cotton Club with Duke Ellington's orchestra, introducing another of her signature songs, "Stormy Weather." If only Vitaphone had filmed those performances instead of this racist stereotype garbage.

(To give an example, the "Harlem Moon" number contains a lyric that goes, "That's why schvartzers were born.")

The 8-year old Sammy Davis Jr. is nothing short of phenomenal, giving everything he's got in several song and dance routines. It's sad to realize that racism kept him from attaining the early stardom he so clearly deserved.

TCM shows this short from time to time. If you chance upon it, try to ignore the stereotypes and enjoy the warmth, talent and dignity of two great African-American performers.

Entertaining

[mammamia701 · 8/10 · 11 August 2020]

No need for the PC culture to watch if they're going to not enjoy this classic. I absolutely loved this movie. I never knew how cute and talented Sammy Davis Jr was as a child star. My reference was his many guest spots on tv shows and the rat pack movies. I see he started out as a child star. Truly a gifted person!

One of the most offensive products ever turned out by Hollywood

[Dick-42 · 1/10 · 7 January 1999]

This must have been an embarrassment to every member of the entirely African-American cast. Every derogatory, disparaging stereotype of the black American community is featured prominently. I won't reinforce the insults by listing them here, except to mention chickens, watermelons, and dice.

One good song by Ethel Waters (and a couple of bad ones), and the fantastic singing and dancing talents of 8-year-old Sammy Davis bring the total up to something below 1 on the IMDb scale.

Saved by Ethel Waters

[bowiebks · 25 December 2003]

This really is a wretched bundle of nasty racial cliches, but oh my, when Ethel Waters sings I can forgive and forget all the vile and mean-spirited muck around her. What a shame that this great artist had so few chances to be recorded on film in her prime as a singer...and when Ethel Waters was in her prime, she was Number One.