That's the Spirit

Two night watchmen go on duty in a pawn shop. They are surprised to discover the place is haunted by a jazz band, led by Noble Sissle.

Sissle is better remembered as the writing partner of pianist and composer Eubie Blake. Together, they co-wrote SHUFFLE ALONG, one of the first all-Black Broadway shows, and appeared in a Lee DeForest Phonofilm. In this short subject, he's leading his own jazz band, and playing some pretty hot versions of standards like 'St. Louis Blues' and 'Tiger Rag.' There are some superior performers in the band, like Wilbur de Paris, who would go on to lead his own band.

Mantan Moreland is one of the two watchmen. They play them in standard 'scared of ghosts' style.

Although the stereotyping now would be considered insulting the fact is that Warner Brothers did make this Vitagraph short for black audiences. Some half hearted commendation is in order.

The team of F.E.. Miller and Mantan Moreland find a pawnshop open and go in. Nobody there but ghosts and musical ghosts at that. Noble Sissle and his band perform and the singing of Cora La Rudd as well. Entertaining, but the two intruders decide the show is over and leave.

The show is good though and the music holds up well today.

Greetings & Salutations your own sweet self. I'm glad to see someone praising Mantan. He and similar comics like Stepin Fetchit have been so demeaned for racist caricatures, but Mantan more than any other comic of the type gave rich character performances; he conveyed much more than the stereotype people seem to believe they're seeing when they're just not paying attention. He invented the "Feets don't fail me now" routine but underlying the comedic fear he's subtly brave. If I had to face danger I'd be glad to have Mantan as companion.

Noble Sissle has made this musical short one of the greatest of the 1930s. Cora La Redd's singing is great, but her dance routine just about sets the screen on fire. Imagine being alive during the Harlem Renaissance and being able to go to a club and see her show. Gadzooks!

-paghat the ratgirl

Greetings & Salutations! Who can ever forget that great African-American actor and comedian, Mantan Moreland? The world was blessed on September 3rd, 1902, when Mantan Moreland was born in Monroe, Louisiana and the world was saddened at our loss when he died September 28, 1973 in Hollywood, California, where he appeared in 134 movies as well his memorable guest appearances on the Bill Cosby Show in 1969 or on "Love, American Style" in 1969, or on the police drama "Adam-12" in 1968. He also was in "Harlem On the Prairie" with Herb Jefferies in 1937 and appeared in a number of Westerns such as "Riders of the Frontier" in 1939 as Chappie, the cook (also known as "Ridin' the Frontier.") There shant ever be another Mantan Moreland with his portly frame and popeyed look, hopefully all of the movies he appeared in will be on VHS and DVD for future generations to watch and enjoy over and over.

That's the Spirit (1933)

** (out of 4)

F.E. Miller and Mantan Moreland short has the two getting a job in a haunted pawn shop. There are are few laughs scattered throughout this thing, although I'm sure a lot of people will find the rather politically incorrect humor disturbing. The special effects are also quite nice for the period.

Midnight Menace (1946)

* (out of 4)

Forgotten, all black cast horror short about a strange voodoo man who can kill women and then move their bodies wherever he wants. This time out his just wants to torment Lollypop Jones with a body that keeps showing up no matter where he goes. This ultra low-budget film really doesn't have anything going for it other than just being a curiosity. The comedy is really bad and the mystery isn't any better.