This, along with 4 other Metro Movietone Revues, is available on THE Broadway MELODY DVD. My comments are only about this first one. It's a 14 minute presentation of four musical acts, without a live audience. The MC is the very effeminate Harry Rose. The program starts with the diminutive, androgynous singer Grace Rogers singing a song I couldn't recognize. Mr. Rose introduces each act saying they will sing a made up "humorous" song title.
Then the team of Gus Van and Joe Schenck sing "Stay Out of the South (If You Want to Miss a Heaven on Earth)"; one of many examples of the sub-genre of "idyllic South" songs, usually sung in a fake Negro accent. Sample line "If you don't like darkies hummin' - if you don't like banjos strummin' - stay out of the south". No wonder "Strange Fruit" was such a shock.
The MC then does a humorous number about "Frankfurter Sandwiches". Last is the Capitolines, a small orchestra, doing what seems like a medley of themes - that was the number I liked best.
I have 37 CDs of music from the 1920's. Louis Armstrong, Carter Family, Duke Ellington, Jimmie Rodgers, Bessie Smith - their music is remembered - for a reason. The average popular tunes you might have heard on a stage in that time have been mostly forgotten - also for a reason. I'd rate this entertainment a 4. I will say it sounds a little more appealing if you watch it right after THE Broadway MELODY, immersing yourself somewhat in that musical era's frame of mind.
Then the team of Gus Van and Joe Schenck sing "Stay Out of the South (If You Want to Miss a Heaven on Earth)"; one of many examples of the sub-genre of "idyllic South" songs, usually sung in a fake Negro accent. Sample line "If you don't like darkies hummin' - if you don't like banjos strummin' - stay out of the south". No wonder "Strange Fruit" was such a shock.
The MC then does a humorous number about "Frankfurter Sandwiches". Last is the Capitolines, a small orchestra, doing what seems like a medley of themes - that was the number I liked best.
I have 37 CDs of music from the 1920's. Louis Armstrong, Carter Family, Duke Ellington, Jimmie Rodgers, Bessie Smith - their music is remembered - for a reason. The average popular tunes you might have heard on a stage in that time have been mostly forgotten - also for a reason. I'd rate this entertainment a 4. I will say it sounds a little more appealing if you watch it right after THE Broadway MELODY, immersing yourself somewhat in that musical era's frame of mind.