Directed by
Murphy, Dudley, American, 1897 - 1968
Written by
Murphy, Dudley, American, 1897 - 1968
Subject of
Ellington, Duke, American, 1899 - 1974
Washington, Fredi, American, 1903 - 1994
Cotton Club, American, 1923 - 1940
Lovejoy, Alec, American, 1893 - 1946
Ellington, Duke Orchestra, American
Date
1929
Medium
acetate film, cardboard, metal and nylon
Dimensions
Duration: 20 Minutes
Length (Film): 700 Feet
Description
A 16mm release print of the short film Black and Tan Fantasy. It consists of a single reel of positive, black-and-white, 16mm acetate film (a) with variable-area optical sound. A metal film reel (b), a film cannister (c) and a cardboard shipping box (d) also accompany the 16mm film strip. The film reel and cannister are both brown. The shipping box, which is also brown, has black metal corners as well as black straps made of nylon webbing.
In the opening scene, two men sit and play musical instruments. Duke Ellington, who is one of the musicians, plays the piano with his back turned to the camera while the other man plays a trumpet. The film goes on to tell the story of Ellington’s struggle to get bookings for his band. Ellington’s girlfriend (played by Fredi Washington), attempts to assist him by dancing in his show in order to cement its success, even though she knows her heart condition will ultimately not allow her to survive the performance.
Place filmed
Astoria, New York City, Queens County, New York, United States, North and Central America
Place depicted
Harlem, New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Time-based Media - Moving Images
Movement
Harlem Renaissance (New Negro Movement)
Type
sound films
black-and-white films (visual works)
release prints (motion pictures)
short subjects
16mm (photographic film size)
Topic
Actors
Film
Jazz (Music)
Musicians
Race films
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Randall and Sam Nieman
Object number
2015.167.2.1a-d
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown - Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5b89ef076-c509-46ed-b8a8-1cb5abc32ebf

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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