The Al Christie division of Paramount Pictures made comedy shorts to compete with the likes of Hal Roach at MGM. In 1929, an unusual short string of Christie comedies were films like "The Framing of the Shrew" and "Melancholy Dame"...films made with all-black casts and they were designed to be seen by all audiences. Sadly, by the mid-1930s, almost all black actors had to either play domestics or idiots in mainstream movies OR star in ultra-cheap films made by tiny studios exclusively for black theaters. So, essentially, this is a film made before the color barrier was more established in Hollywood.
The plot to 'The Framing of the Shrew" is a modern reworking of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew". They really do NOT try to replicate Shakespeare's play...more use the general idea from it. In this film, a henpecked husband wants respect from his wife. His friend suggests he go on a hunger strike. Where all this ended was funny and quite the surprise.
The story is cute but the ending seemed a bit abrupt. Still, it's an unusual and clever film.
By the way, I mentioned "Melancholy Dame" and "Framing of the Shrew". The two films actually shared the same actors...but playing different (though similar) characters.
The plot to 'The Framing of the Shrew" is a modern reworking of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew". They really do NOT try to replicate Shakespeare's play...more use the general idea from it. In this film, a henpecked husband wants respect from his wife. His friend suggests he go on a hunger strike. Where all this ended was funny and quite the surprise.
The story is cute but the ending seemed a bit abrupt. Still, it's an unusual and clever film.
By the way, I mentioned "Melancholy Dame" and "Framing of the Shrew". The two films actually shared the same actors...but playing different (though similar) characters.
