User reviews

Roberta Hyson has saved up $500 to buy a beauty parlor, but Spencer Williams has lost it on the horses. Band leader Nathan Curry, who is decked out in a uniform and medals to put Marcus Garvey to shame, says if he had it, he would give it to her. Then an opportunity comes up to win $500 in a cornet competition. The trouble is, he can't play his instrument.

This may be the first all-Black talking picture, and as such, it holds a place of honor in cinematic hustory. On the downside, it's also pretty roughly portrayed ethnic humor. Although typical of the era, whether you portayed any ethnic type, it will probably be hard for the modern viewer to enjoy other than intellectually.

The first all-black talkie is an amusing enough musical comedy short that is put across thanks to Spencer Williams' larger than life personality. Some cute ideas would have been put across better by a more accomplished cast and crew, but it's still likable enough.

Music Hath Harms (1929)

*** (out of 4)

One of the first all black sound films makes this a pretty important film but it also manages some nice music and laughs. A fast talking womanizer (Spencer Williams) claims to be one of the world's greatest musicians and is offered $500 to play two solos. He takes the job so that he can use the money to buy his girlfriend her own beauty parlor but the problem is that he can't play a lick. I'm really becoming a very big fan of Spencer Williams and once again he turns in a very charming performance here. There's some nice laughs at the final concert and the supporting cast are also entertaining. Nothing ground breaking but a pleasant little short.