Boogie-Woogie Dream

Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson play the title tune, their composition, and Lena Horne sings "Bad Luck Woman" with Teddy Wilson's orchestra backing her up.

What more do you want? Ammons and Johnson were two great performers, and this is the only movie they appeared in, and to listen to Miss Horne sing the blues is to hear them sung right. Yes, there's a bit of a story, of Ammons, Johnson, and Miss Horne being drudges at a jazz club, dreaming of being performers, leading into the actual performance. But is that really necessary for a great short subject? I think not.

Wilson and his orchestra are no slouches either.

Boogie-Woogie Dream (1944)

*** (out of 4)

Nice short from Official Films features Lena Horne is a pretty good role. A nightclub for white folks closes down so the dishwasher (Horne) and a couple co-workers come out to play some music not knowing that a couple people are still in there and can hear their music. Fans of Horne will certainly want to check this short out as we get a smoking version of "Unlucky Woman" with the actress giving some pure fire to the role. For the life of me I kept expecting her head to come off as her vocal range was amazing and she really made you feel like you should get up and dance. Teddy Wilson and His Band back her up and add a lot of fire as well. Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson play on the title track and make it well worth listening to as well. Apparently this was shot in 1941 but not released until after Horne became famous but either way this is certainly worth checking out.

This movie short features the talented music of Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson, who play their composition "Boogie Woogie Dream".

In addition, Lena Horne is featured singing "Unlucky Woman" accompanied by Ammons, Johnson, and Teddy Wilson and His Band.