Description
For movie buffs and collectors alike! This star-filled movie pack has been carefully remastered on DVD for hours of home entertainment.
Includes
Check and Double Check
This first and only appearance of the radio stars of Amos 'N' Andy reprising their roles on the big screen. Amos (Freeman Gosden) and Andy (Charles Correll) are trying to make a success of their "open-air" taxi service when they get mixed-up in some nonsense while driving musicians to a high society ball. This film not only allowed audiences to finally put a face to the voice they had been hearing on the radio but they also were introduced to Duke Ellington and his Cotton Club Orchestra.
Duke is Tops, The
This feature is the screen debut of Lena Horne as Ethel Andrews, a young featured singer of the shows put on by her songwriter/producer boyfriend, Duke Davis (Ralph Cooper). Andrews is given a chance to work a Broadway show but Davis is unable to come with so he breaks off their relationship in order for her to take the offer. Davis goes to work on a friends traveling medicine show touring the South and Andrews heads off to Broadway. Without Davis' behind the scenes support, things take a turn for the worse for Andrews as her show threatens to be a disaster. Davis returns in time to help Andrews and the show is a big success.
Hi-De-Ho
Cab Calloway stars as a bandleader torn between two women, his jealous girlfriend Minnie and his manager Nettie. After Nettie gets Cab and his band a job at the Brass Hat Club, Minnie turns to rival club owner Boss Mason to get revenge. Boss Mason sends a hit man to take care of Cab but Minnie takes the bullet meant for him due to a last minute change of heart.
Killer Diller
This all-black music and comedy revue features some of the best and brightest stars of the stage and screen. A loose storyline links the various music, tap and comedic acts together. The performers include Nat "King" Cole and the King Cole Trio (with Johnny Miller and Oscar Moore), Andy Kirk and his band, The Clark Brothers, The Nicholas Brothers, Butterfly McQueen, Moms Mabley, Dusty Fletcher, George Wilshire and the only on-screen performance of Frankie Manning's Congeroo Dancers. The performances in this extravaganza will remind you of the classic Apollo Theatre shows. Songs include "Ain't Misbehavin'," "Breezy and the Bass," "Don't Sit on My Bed," "I Believe," "If I Didn't Care," "Now He Tells Me."
Paradise in Harlem
This crime drama features an all African-American cast and centers on Lem Anderson (Frank Wilson); a club singer aspires to be a great dramatic actor. His big chance evaporates when he witnesses a mob hit. Pressure from the mob and the death of his ill wife forces Lem to leave town, drifting from place to place in an alcoholic stupor. An opportunity to play Othello draws Lem back to Harlem despite the risk leads to an interesting climax.
Reet, Petite and Gone
This all African-American film stars bandleader Louis Jordan in a dual role, as father and son. Schyler Jarvis, a successful old-time musical star, dies and wishes to leave his fortune to his son, Louis, and Honey, the daughter of his long-lost love. Henry Talbot, a crooked lawyer decides to swindle the funds away from the rightful heirs and take the money for himself. After taking the money, Talbot meets an untimely end and suspicion falls upon Louis as the killer. Everything works out in the end for this film featuring plenty of music provided by Louis Jordan's Tympany Five.
Rhythm and Blues Revue
This legendary musical revue features terrific performances by Sarah Vaughn, Freddie Robinson, Nat "King" Cole, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Martha Davis, Ruth Brown, Lionel Hampton, Faye Adams, Bill Bailey, Herb Jeffries, Mantan Moreland, Joe "Big Daddy" Turner, Little Buck and Nipsey Russell. Willie Bryant is the master of ceremonies and sings "Bad, Bad Whiskey".
Rock N Roll Revue
Willie Bryant is your host and MC of this musical and comedy extravaganza. Along with Bryant, other performers include Duke Ellington, Nat "King" Cole, Larry Darnell, Dinah Washington, The Clovers, Leonard Reed, Big Joe Turner, Ruth Brown, Martha Davis, Little Buck, Mantan Moreland and Nipsey Russell. Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, tap and comedy routines abound in this feature from the 1950's.
Soundies Cavalcade
Three musical rarities for your enjoyment featuring sultry songstress Lena Horne, Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra and the amazing Dusty Fletcher. The three musical shorts are: Answer to Open the Door Richard, Murder in Swing Town and Boogie Woogie Dream. Check out these classic musical shorts!
Soundies Festival
From the great era of musical shorts come three gems that feature legendary African-American performers including Ethel Waters, Eddy Green and the incomparable Dusty Fletcher. The three featured shorts are: Mr. Atom's Bomb, Bubbling Over and Open the Door Richard. These musical classics must be seen!
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