jahlaune

This is a corny movie lets get that straight right off the bat. It is redeemed when Billie opens her mouth. If you never heard Billie Talk then this is the movie for you. She looks as if shes bored to death but what a job she does on, "Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans, The Blues Are Brewing and my favorite, Goodbye to storyville" Pops is pops and hes good as gold. But how this movie drags on! You will find yourself waiting for the scenes with Billie or Louis or the other jazz folk. The actress, Dorthy Patrick, I swear she never made another movie after this. At least i hope so! If you get this on DVD you luck up you get Billie and dukes symphony in black 1935 and a short with Louis. I guess that makes up for the awful film!

This film is a part of growing up black in America. I saw it as a kid and I don't know anyone who hasn't cried. But, it is what it is, a true testament to the times. There is not much you can say. Lana turner did a great job on the remake but to me this is a bit earthier and I prefer to see the original and then see the 57 version. However, the pancake recipe bit is a bit ludicrous i mean how many secret ingredients can you put into pancakes. geesh Louise! Wonderful, keep it in your library at home and show it to your kids. I haven't seen a teenager yet that isn't fasinated and somewhat appalled by this movie. Its like listening to Billie Holidays Strange fruit. You are shocked but find yourself listening over and over again. To assure you have not missed anything.

Ethel Waters, you hear her singing style in almost all early singers from the late 20's and 30's. Mildred Bailey, Billie Holiday. She had the clearest voice and such enunciation. She was a miserable woman tho and thats why you never hear other singers give her praise. In this film her singing is as tear jerking today as it was on those old 78's. She sings and you understand every word and in this movie you even can see her do a little shimmy for which she was renowned for early in her career. A great cast. Lena is superb as always and Bubbles from the vaudevillian team "buck and bubbles" along with earl snake hip tucker. These are Harlem legends that ruled 133rd street (the real swing street) in their day. My mother never tires of this movie as she was a devout Ethel fan all her life (she was born in 1923) so she grew up listening to this legend. Get this bit of American history