Created by

Studio Films, Inc., American, 1951 - 1956

Produced by

Frye, Ben, American

Subject of

Lionel Hampton, American, 1908 - 2002

Adams, Faye, American, born 1923

Bailey, Bill, American, 1912 - 1978

Jeffries, Herb, American, 1913 - 2014

Milburn, Amos, American, 1927 - 1980

Vaughan, Sarah, American, 1924 - 1990

Basie, Count, American, 1904 - 1984

Big Turner, Joe, American, 1911 - 1985

The Delta Rhythm Boys, American, 1934 - 1987

Davis, Martha, American, 1917 - 1960

Little Buck, American

Cole, Nat King, American, 1919 - 1965

Moreland, Mantan, American, 1902 - 1973

Russell, Nipsey, American, 1918 - 2005

Calloway, Cab, American, 1907 - 1994

Brown, Ruth, American, 1928 - 2006

Owned by

Bowser, Pearl, American, born 1931

Medium

35mm Film (a): acetate film;

35mm Film (b): acetate film;

35mm Film (c): acetate film;

35mm Film (d): acetate film.

Dimensions

Duration: 72 Minutes

Length (Film): 1850 Feet

Length (Film): 1560 Feet

Length (Film): 1650 Feet

Length (Film): 1450 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place depicted

Harlem, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1955

Caption

"Rhythm and Blues Revue", is a 1955 feature film compiled by Studio Films, Inc. from previously recorded Snader Telescriptions featuring renowned African American jazz singers and musicians from the 1950s. Performers include Faye Adams, Bill Bailey, Ruth Brown, Cab Calloway, Nat King Cole, Count Basie, Martha Davis, The Delta Rhythm Boys, Freddy and Flo, Lionel Hampton, Herb Jefferies, The Larks, Little Buck, Amos Milburn, Mantan Moreland, Nipsey Russell, Big Joe Turner, Sarah Vaughan and Willie Bryant.

Description

35mm black and white compilation film of a variety of short musical 'Soundie' films made for music-film jukeboxes, and television, by the Snader Telescription and Studio companies in the 1950s.

Consists of: Four 35mm Prints (a-d).

2012.79.1.105.1a-d: 35mm film. The film begins with a title sequence that announces each performer as a firework explodes behind their name. A credit roll then displays the below the line contributors. Next, an announcer introduces the emcee, Willie Bryant, during a shot of a theater audience. Bryant emerges from behind a curtain as the audience applauds. Before he can begin speaking, Bryant is interrupted by the comedian Freddie Lucas (Part of the Freddie & Flo comedy duo), who begs to be on the show. Later in the skit, Florence Hill (Flo) appears as a mind reading librarian. At the conclusion of the skit, Bryant announces the first performer, Lionel Hampton and his orchestra who perform “Jam Session.” After the conclusion of the song, the curtain closes and there are multiple shots of the audience cheering as Willie Bryant again appears to announce the next performer, Faye Adams who performs “Everyday” in front of the curtain. After the song ends there are multiple shots of the cheering audience and Bryant appears to announce the next performer, Bill Bailey. Bailey performs a tap dancing routine that includes dance moves from his teacher Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and concludes with a moonwalk. At the end of the performance, the curtain closes and there are multiple shots of the audience cheering as Willie Bryant appears to announce the next performer, Herb Jeffries who sings “In My Heart.” When the song ends, the curtain closes and there are multiple shots of the audience cheering as Freddie & Flo rush onto the stage to perform a comedy routine. After their routine there are multiple shots of the cheering audience and Bryant appears to announce the next performer, Amos Milburn, who sings “Bad Bad Whiskey” with backing from the Paul Williams Band. At the conclusion of the song, the curtain closes and then reopens so that Milburn can bow. Bryant appears to announce the next performers, The Larks, who sing “The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise.” At the end of the performance, the curtain closes and there are multiple shots of the audience cheering as Bryant brings Freddie & Flo back onto the stage for some comedic banter. Bryant then introduces Lionel Hampton who performs “Bongo Interlude.” Two unnamed women dance during the performance. The curtain closes and there are multiple shots of the audience cheering. When curtain opens, the stage is set up as a tobacconist and Leonard Reed is behind the counter listening to a Brooklyn Dodgers baseball game on the radio. Willie Bryant appears and the two men engage in a brief skit. Bryant then presents the next performer, Sarah Vaughan, who sings “Perdido.” The curtain closes and there are multiple shots of the audience cheering as Bryant returns to the stage. Nipsy Russell sneaks onto the stage behind Bryant and the two engage in comedic banter before Bryant presents the next performer, Count Basie who performs “Basie’s Conversation.” The curtain closes, there are multiple shots of the audience cheering, and Bryant introduces Big Joe Turner who sings “Shake Rattle And Roll.” The curtain closes, there are multiple shots of the audience cheering, and Bryant introduces the next performers, The Delta Rhythm Boys, who perform the spiritual “Dem Bones.” The curtain closes, there are multiple shots of the audience cheering, and Bryant introduces the next performers Martha Davis and her husband, Calvin Ponder, who perform “Just Goodbye.” The curtain closes, there are multiple shots of the audience cheering, and Bryant introduces the next performer, Little Buck, who performs a tap dance routine. The curtain closes, there are multiple shots of the audience cheering, and Bryant brings out Little Buck for more applause. Bryant then introduces the next performer, Nat King Cole, who sings “Calypso Blues.” The curtain closes, there are multiple shots of the audience cheering, and Nipsy Russell and Mantan Moreland come out for a comedy routine. Moreland leaves the stage and Russell continues on his own. Following Russell’s routine, Bryant introduces Cab Calloway who performs “Minnie The Moocher.” The curtain closes, there are multiple shots of the audience cheering, and Bryant brings out Ruth Brown for some stage banter before she performs “Teardrops From My Eyes” with backing by the Paul Williams Band. The curtain closes, there are multiple shots of the audience cheering, and Bryant introduces Count Basie for the film’s final performance, “One O’Clock Jump.”

Topic

African American

Actors

Comedy

Entertainers

Film

Jazz (Music)

Musicians

Rhythm and blues (Music)

Tap dancing

Variety shows (Television)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Pearl Bowser

Object number

2012.79.1.105.1a-d

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Pearl Bowser Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Designed by

Riggs, Rita, American, born 1930

Worn by

Rolle, Esther, American, 1920 - 1998

Medium

polyester and rayon knit with metal buttons

Dimensions

H x W x D (On form): 42 3/8 × 19 1/4 × 13 1/2 in. (107.6 × 48.9 × 34.3 cm)

Type

dresses

Place used

United States, North and Central America

Date

1974

Description

Orange knit dress worn by Esther Rolle as the character Florida Evans on the television show "Good Times." The A-line dress has full-length sleeves, a notched collar, and falls just below the knee. The dress closes at the center front with five (5) round gold buttons. There is one (1) small white button under the proper left front side of the notched collar. The sleeves taper slightly at the wrist, with three (3) small round gold buttons attached to a band with a pointed tip that serve decorative purposes only. The dress is not hemmed, though there is a heavy even crease 2 1/8 inches from the raw edge. The dress is not lined. A white tag with care instructions is sewn at the center back neck, with evidence of a second manufacturer's tag on top of it now removed. A union tag is sewn at the proper left side seam near the bottom of the dress. A white tag with handwritten text reading "GT" is hand sewn to the proper right front dart seam near the waist.

Topic

African American

Actors

Clothing and dress

Comedy

Costume

Families

Motherhood

Sitcoms

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2014.26.2

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Clothing-Costume

Exhibition

Taking the Stage

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 054

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Designed by

Riggs, Rita, American, born 1930

Manufactured by

Sears, Roebuck & Co., American, founded 1893

Worn by

Janet Jackson, American, born 1966

Medium

cotton, trimming, elastic, metal zipper, and plastic buttons

Dimensions

H x W x D (On form): 31 1/2 × 19 1/2 × 13 1/4 in. (80 × 49.5 × 33.7 cm)

Type

dresses

Place used

United States, North and Central America

Date

December 1977

Description

Red and yellow dress worn by Janet Jackson as the character Millicent "Penny" Gordon Woods on the television show "Good Times." The dress is made to appear as two separate pieces - a yellow long-sleeved shirt with a high ruffled collar under a red floral-printed jumper - though they are attached as one item. The sleeves are loose and gathered at the cuff with elastic. A decorative band of thin blue rickrack, red floral print cotton matching the jumper, and yellow cutwork embroidered trim with a scalloped edge is sewn around each sleeve between the elbow and the cuff. The same blue rickrack and yellow trim is sewn around the edge of the jumper sleeves on the upper bodice. There are three (3) small black plastic buttons sewn at the center front chest for decoration. The jumper is made of a red cotton printed in a small floral design of yellow and dark blue flowers with green leaves and stems. It has a smocked lower bodice and a full skirt that ends above the knee. A band of the blue rickrack and the yellow trim is sewn around the skirt approximately 7 1/2 inches above the hem. The garment closes at the center back with a red zipper and it is not lined. A white clothing tag with green printed text is sewn at the center back interior neck that reads: "REGULAR 12 / MACHINE WASH WARM / TUMBLE DRY / SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO.".

Topic

African American

Actors

Children

Clothing and dress

Comedy

Costume

Families

Sitcoms

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2014.26.3

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Clothing-Costume

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Distributed by

Warner Bros. Pictures

Subject of

Poitier, Sidney, American, born 1927

Cosby, Bill, American, born 1937

Belafonte, Harry Jr., American, born 1927

Pryor, Richard, American, 1940 - 2005

Wilson, Flip, American, 1933 - 1998

Cash, Rosalind, American, 1938 - 1995

Kelly, Paula, American, born 1943

Browne, Roscoe Lee, American, 1925 - 2007

Sekka, Johnny, British, 1934 - 2006

Lockhart, Calvin, Bahamian, 1934 - 2007

First Artists, American, 1969 - 1980

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 41 × 27 1/16 in. (104.1 × 68.7 cm)

Type

posters

Date

1974

Description

A promotional poster for the film Uptown Saturday Night. The poster lists cast members and the characters they play on the right-hand side in black text on a purple background. A black and white image accompanies each name. The tagline and title of the film are in black text at the top right of the poster and reads “They get funny when you / mess with their money. / UPTOWN / SATURDAY / NIGHT.” A caricature of Bill Cosby, Sidney Poitier, and Harry Belafonte is under the title. Various buildings, a water tower, street signs, and three women wearing short dresses are in the background of the image. Below the caricature written in black text is “A First Artists Production.” The billing block is at the bottom in black text. The NSS number is 74/152 and appears in the bottom right corner.

Topic

African American

Actors

Advertising

Comedy

Hollywood (Film)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from the Personal Collection of Bill Ivory Larson

Object number

2014.35.10

Restrictions & Rights

© Warner Bros Inc. Permission required for use.

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Advertisements

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Studio Films, Inc., American, 1951 - 1956

Directed by

Kohn, Joseph

Produced by

Frye, Ben

Subject of

Apollo Theater, founded 1913

Reed, Leonard, American, 1907 - 2004

Bryant, Willie, American, 1908 - 1964

Vaughan, Sarah, American, 1924 - 1990

Lionel Hampton, American, 1908 - 2002

Adams, Faye, American, born 1923

Jeffries, Herb, American, 1913 - 2014

Calloway, Cab, American, 1907 - 1994

The Clovers, American, founded 1946

Davis, Martha, American, 1917 - 1960

Frank Foster, American, 1928 - 2011

Moreland, Mantan, American, 1902 - 1973

Russell, Nipsey, American, 1918 - 2005

Milburn, Amos, American, 1927 - 1980

Coles & Atkins, American, 1940 - 1959

Williams, Paul Hucklebuck, American, 1915 - 2002

Owned by

Bowser, Pearl, American, born 1931

Medium

35mm Film (a): acetate film;

35mm Film (b): acetate film;

35mm Film (c): acetate film;

35mm Film (d): acetate film;

Dimensions

Duration: 61 minutes

Length (Film) - Reel 1: 1520 Feet

Length (Film) - Reel 2: 1320 Feet

Length (Film) - Reel 3: 1290 Feet

Length (Film) - Reel 4: 1370 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place depicted

Harlem, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1956

Caption

"Basin Street Revue is a 1956 feature film compiled by Studio Films, Inc. from previously recorded Snader Telescriptions featuring renowned African American jazz singers and musicians from the 1950s. Performers include Willie Bryant, Sarah Vaughan, Lionel Hampton, Paul Williams, Jimmy Brown, Amos Milbur, Faye Adams, Coles and Atkins, Herb Jefferies, Cab Calloway, Count Basie, The Clovers, Nat King Cole, Martha Davis, Frank Foster, Mantan Moreland, Nipsey Russell, and Marie Bryant.

Description

35mm black and white compilation film of a variety of short musical 'Soundie' films made for music-film jukeboxes, and television, by the Snader Telescription and Studio companies in the 1950s.

Consists of: Four 35mm Prints (a-d)

2012.79.1.85.1a-d: 35mm film. The film begins with a title sequence that announces each performer as a firework explodes behind their name. This is followed by a shot of a theater marquee with the title Basin Street Revue. A credit roll then displays the below the line contributors. Next, an announcer introduces the emcee, Willie Bryant, during a shot of a theater audience. Bryant emerges from behind a curtain as the audience applauds. As Bryant begins to speak, Nipsy Russell walks across the stage and interrupts Bryant with a joke about his mother in law. Bryant then begins his introduction of the show’s proceedings; he refers to the show as the “Harlem Variety Revue.” Bryant then introduces the first performer, Lionel Hampton and his orchestra. The curtain parts and Hampton and his orchestra perform “Ding Dong Baby.” An unknown woman joins Hampton on the stage as he sings, but does not sing herself; he gives her a kiss on the cheek before she exits. After the conclusion of the song, the curtain closes and there are multiple shots of the audience cheering as Willie Bryant again appears to announce the next performer, Sarah Vaughan, who performs “You’re Not The Kind.” The song concludes, the curtain closes, and there are multiple shots of the cheering audience as Bryant emerges to introduce the next performers, Jimmy Brown, the saxophonist from the Apollo Theater’s house band, the Paul Williams Band. Bryant and Brown engage in some stage banter before the performance of “My Love Is True.” The song concludes, the curtain closes, and there are multiple shots of the cheering audience as Bryant emerges to introduce the next performer, Martha Davis, who performs “We Just Couldn’t Say Goodbye.” Bryant mentions that Davis is performing with her spouse, bassist, Calvin Ponder. There are multiple insert shots of the audience during the performance. The song concludes, the curtain closes, and there are multiple shots of the cheering audience as Nipsy Russell and Mantan Moreland enter the stage. They perform a short comedy routine together before Bryant introduces the next performer, Amos Milburn. He performs “Bewildered.” The song concludes, the curtain closes, and Bryant has the curtain reopened so Milburn can take a bow. The curtain again closes and Bryant invites Faye Adams onto the stage. The engage in some brief stage banter before she performs “Somebody, Somewhere” in front of the curtain. Jimmy Brown emerges from behind the curtain to perform a solo. The song concludes, there are multiple shots of the cheering audience, and Bryant introduces the next performers, The Clovers, who perform “Lovey Dovey.” The song concludes, the curtain closes, and there are multiple shots of the cheering audience as Bryant emerges to introduce Sarah Vaughan for a performance of “These Things I Offer You (For A Lifetime).” The song concludes, the curtain closes, there are multiple shots of the cheering audience, and Bryant introduces Coles & Atkins. The duo sing and them perform a tap dance routine. Their performance concludes, they bow and Bryant introduces Herb Jeffries by way of a brief skit. Jeffries performs “A Woman Is A Worrisome Thing” from the balcony of a fire escape. The song concludes, the curtain closes, there are multiple shots of the cheering audience, and Bryant introduces Cab Calloway, who performs “Calloway Boogie.” Calloway dances with an unknown female dancer. A “The End” title card appears as the song and the film conclude.

Topic

African American

Actors

Comedy

Dance

Entertainers

Film

Jazz (Music)

Variety shows (Television)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Pearl Bowser

Object number

2012.79.1.85.1a-d

Restrictions & Rights

© Studio Films, Inc. Permission required for use.

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Pearl Bowser Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Studio Films, Inc., American, 1951 - 1956

Directed by

Kohn, Joseph

Produced by

Frye, Ben, American

Subject of

Apollo Theater, founded 1913

Ellington, Duke, American, 1899 - 1974

Lionel Hampton, American, 1908 - 2002

Vaughan, Sarah, American, 1924 - 1990

Russell, Nipsey, American, 1918 - 2005

Coles & Atkins, American, 1940 - 1959

Darnell, Larry, American, 1921 - 1983

Bryant, Willie, American, 1908 - 1964

The Clovers, American, founded 1946

Washington, Dinah, American, 1924 - 1963

Cole, Nat King, American, 1919 - 1965

Big Turner, Joe, American, 1911 - 1985

Reed, Leonard, American, 1907 - 2004

Owned by

Bowser, Pearl, American, born 1931

Medium

35mm Film (a): acetate film;

35mm Film (b): acetate film;

35mm Film (c): acetate film;

35mm Film (d): acetate film;

Dimensions

Duration: 70 Minutes

Length (Film) - Reel 1: 1630 Feet

Length (Film) - Reel 2: 1765 Feet

Length (Film) - Reel 3: 1520 Feet

Length (Film) - Reel 4: 1440 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place depicted

Harlem, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1955

Caption

"Rock-n-Roll Revue" is a 1955 feature film compiled by Studio Films, Inc. from previously recorded Snader Telescriptions featuring renowned African American jazz singers and musicians from the 1950s. The film includes performances by Duke Ellington, Larry Darnell, Coles and Atkins, The Clovers, Dinah Washington, Nat King Cole, Big Joe Turner, Willie Bryant, and Leonard Reed.

Description

35mm black and white compilation film of a variety of short musical 'Soundie' films made for music-film jukeboxes, and television, by the Snader Telescription and Studio companies in the 1950s.

Consists of: Four 35mm Film Prints (a-d) and Original Film Reels (e-h).

2012.79.1.84.1a-d: 35mm film. The film begins with a title sequence that announces each performer as a firework explodes behind their name. A credit roll then displays the below the line contributors. Next, an announcer introduces the emcee, Willie Bryant, during a shot of a theater audience. Bryant emerges from behind a curtain as the audience applauds. He begins his introduction of the show’s proceedings; he refers to the show as the “Harlem Variety Revue.” Bryant then introduces the first performer, Duke Ellington. The curtain parts and Ellington and his orchestra perform “The Mooche.” After the conclusion of the song, the curtain closes and there are multiple shots of the audience cheering as Willie Bryant again appears to announce the next performer, Larry Darnell. Darnell performs “What More Do You Want Me To Do.” After the performance ends, the curtains close while Darnell bows and the audience cheers. Willie Bryant then emerges onstage as the curtains re-open and Darnell bows in Bryant’s direction. The two men then exchange playful gestures and Bryant tells a joke. Bryant segues into an introduction of the tap dancing duo, Coles & Atkins. The duo then perform a short routine. After the routine, Bryant, Coles and Atkins perform a comedic piece based around Bryant interrupting their performance. Coles & Atkins then goad Bryant into dancing with them and the three men perform a brief routine. There are multiple shots of the audience cheering when they leave the stage. Bryant then introduces The Clovers, who perform “Your Cash Ain’t Nothin’ But Trash.” After the song ends, there is another comedy routine with Willie Bryant, Coles & Atkins, and Leonard Reed. There are multiple shots of the audience before Bryant introduces Dinah Washington, who performs “Only a Moment Ago.” Bryant then introduces Nat King Cole, who performs “The Trouble With Me Is You.” After multiple shots of the audience when the song concludes, Bryant again introduces Duke Ellington, who performs “The Hawk Talks” with his orchestra. There are multiple shots of the drummer Louie Bellson as he performs a drum solo during the song. Bryant introduces Big Joe Turner by way of a comedy bit with Leonard Reed. Turner performs “Oke-She-Moke-She-Pop” with backing by the Paul Williams Band. The film concludes with a shot of the audience cheering.

2012.79.1.84.1e-h: Original film reels.

Topic

African American

Comedy

Entertainers

Film

Jazz (Music)

Musicians

Rhythm and blues (Music)

Rock and roll (Music)

Tap dancing

Variety shows (Television)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Pearl Bowser

Object number

2012.79.1.84.1a-d

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Pearl Bowser Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Directed by

Leonard, Arthur H., 1904 - 1956

Composed by

Bishop McCollough, Walter, American, 1915 - 1991

Williams, Mary Lou, American, 1910 - 1981

Medium

16mm Film (a): acetate film;

16mm Film (b): acetate film;

Dimensions

Duration: 73 Minutes

Length (Film Reel 1): 1200 Feet

Length (Film Reel 2): 1200 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place depicted

New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Place filmed

New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1947

Caption

Two musical producers struggle to get enough investors to finance their latest show. One potential backer agrees to invest on one condition: the two producers must find an additional investor to co-finance their show. The producers convince an associate to impersonate a 'Madame' to pose as the other female investor. Everything goes as planned, until the real Madame shows up.

Description

2015.167.1.1ab: 16mm black and white films.

Jim Walton (Elwood Smith) and his partner, Harry Diggs (Duke Williams), as two aspiring producers who try to convince a Chicago businessman to back their musical show.

In a Harlem apartment building, Jim Walton listens to Slam Stewart and his band, which he plans to feature in his new show along with female impersonator Bumpsie. Jim is in love with Cristola Cummings, whose wealthy father, believing that Jim is a successful producer, has promised to put up half the money for the new show if Parisian Madame Deborah will supply the rest of the funds. Cummings arrives unexpectedly from Chicago with Cristola and her sister Francine, hoping to meet Madame Deborah. Attempting to maintain a pretense of wealth, Jim and his partner, Harry Diggs, ask one of their actors to impersonate a butler. Their ruse is almost exposed when their landlord, Mr. Donaldson, demands that they pay their back rent, but Jim manages to convince Cummings that Donaldson is an actor in a play called "I Want My Room Rent." Learning that Madame Deborah will not arrive for a few days, Harry persuades Bumpsie to impersonate her by promising to star him in the new show. Later, when she is alone with Jim, Cristola scolds him for not writing, but embraces him when he honestly admits he does not have the Long Island mansion he claimed. While Francine gets to know Harry, Cummings converses with Bumpsie. Cummings, who is attracted to Bumpsie, hints that he would like to marry again for the sake of his daughters. Meanwhile, the real Madame Deborah arrives and introduces herself as "Mrs. Martin." Seeing that she is wealthy, Donaldson is pleased to rent a room to her. From Gaston, who has followed her from Paris, Donaldson learns that Madame Deborah has "oodles of money" and suddenly takes an interest in Bumpsie, who he thinks is Madame Deborah. Donaldson then plans a garden party in Madame Deborah's honor and offers his actor residents free rent for a week, plus ten dollars, for providing the entertainment. When Cummings learns that his daughters want to marry Jim and Harry, he objects at first, but later agrees to give his consent if Madame Deborah approves, as he will announce his engagement to her that night. Coincidentally, both Gaston and Donaldson also intend to announce their engagements to Madame Deborah that night. During the garden party, Bumpsie invites his two suitors to a rent party for Jim and Harry, explaining it is a rehearsal of a show titled "The Rent Party." When Bumpsie dances in a scanty ballet costume, Cummings, thinking that "Madame Deborah" is exposing herself to other men, jealously stalks out. Escaping from pranksters, Bumpsie encounters the real Madame Deborah, who hides him in her room, where he falls asleep. Outraged because he thinks that the whole building is being lured by Bumpsie's charms, Cummings decides to return to Chicago with his daughters. When Cristola confesses that she knows Jim is broke, but admires the way he has kept up his courage, the real Madame Deborah vows to intercede with Cummings. Although he has sworn to avoid women, Cummings is immediately attracted by Madame Deborah's flirtations. Meanwhile, two French thugs kidnap Bumpsie after they, too, mistake him for Madame Deborah. When Gaston removes the cover over Bumpsie's head, in preparation for a kiss, he recoils in horror. Bumpsie challenges him to a fight and then, still dressed in a ballet costume, runs away. When a dropped handkerchief is found in Madame Deborah's room, Cummings and Donaldson think she has been kidnapped. Meanwhile, the rent party erupts in a fight. Gaston threatens Madame Deborah and Cummings, and Jim punches him. Later Bumpsie reappears without his disguise, and Madame Deborah reveals her true identity. Cummings and Madame Deborah decide to marry, and all ends happily when they agree to back Jim's show.

Source: AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Accessed on August 9, 2016 (http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=25096)

Topic

African American

Comedy

Jazz (Music)

Race films

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Randall and Sam Nieman

Object number

2015.167.1.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Nieman Film Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Directed by

Williams, Spencer, American, 1893-1969

Subject of

Orr, Robert, American, 1940 - 2000

Medium

16mm Film (a): acetate film;

16mm Film (b): acetate film;

Dimensions

Duration: 68 Minutes

Length (Film Reel 1): 1175 Feet

Length (Film Reel 2): 1175 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place filmed

Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, United States, North and Central America

Date

1947

Caption

Two con men arrive in Texas and pass themselves off as beauty pageant coaches in exchange for free room and board.

Description

2015.167.10.1ab: 16mm black and white films.

Bad News Johnson and July Jones, also known as Whitney Vanderbilt and Cornbread Green, when they go to Dallas where they acquire lodgings with Mama Lou and her family. The plot revolves around Mama Lou's efforts to keep her family intact.

Having fled Memphis, Tennessee, to start a new life, smalltime fugitive Bad News Johnson and his slow-witted companion, July Jones, arrive in Dallas with no place to stay and only twenty-five cents to their name. Johnson explains to July that they are taking the advice of the great thinker Horace Greeley, who said, "Go west young man, and do your best; then come east and spend your grease." When Johnson realizes that July does not understand the quote, he tells July that he is so dumb that he probably thinks that "Veronica Lake is some kinda' summer resort." Using his charm and graciousness, mixed in with a touch of pure deception, Johnson procures a room for himself and July at the home of the Holiday family. Mrs. Louella "Mama Lou" Holiday is at first reluctant take in two strangers as boarders, but when Johnson, who has introduced himself as Mr. Whitney Vanderbilt, impresses her as a great "thespian," she, in the hope that he will tutor her daughter Honey Dew in poise, decides to give them a room. Johnson and July, who is now known as Mr. Green, gladly accept the offer. Meanwhile, Mama Lou's lazy husband, Papa Sam, who was sent by his wife on an errand to the market, is instead at Johnny's Juke Joint playing poker with his pals. Papa Sam's daughter Florida, also at the juke joint, is being pursued by Johnny, the owner of the establishment, who wants to take her to Chicago. When Papa Sam returns home without the food he was sent to get, Mama Lou scolds him until Honey Dew breaks up the fight. Back at the juke joint, while Florida considers Johnny's offer, he calls his wife and tells her that he will be home late. After Johnson and July enjoy their first dinner at the Holidays, Johnson gives Honey Dew lessons on how to carry herself at the beauty contest she has entered, while Florida is told to do the dishes. Johnson's lessons are proven valuable when Honey Dew wins first prize in the contest. Backstage at the contest, Papa Sam's buddy, "High Life" Harris, suggests that Honey Dew be taken to the juke joint to celebrate her success, and Papa Sam agrees. When Mama Lou returns home to find that her husband and Florida, who was given the responsibility of preparing the house for a party, are missing, she marches over to Johnny's with an umbrella in hand and takes swings at Harris, Johnny and Florida. Mama Lou then discovers Papa Sam kissing a waitress outside the juke joint and pounces on him. At home, Mama Lou gives Florida one last beating to punish her for her actions as Johnson and July watch through a keyhole.

Sources:

AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Accessed on August 10, 2016 (http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=27660)

WorldCat. Accessed on August 10, 2016 (https://www.worldcat.org/title/juke-joint/oclc/16517545&referer=brief_results)

Topic

African American

American South

Comedy

Domestic life

Race films

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Randall and Sam Nieman

Object number

2015.167.10.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Nieman Film Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture