Research Catalog

St. Louis blues

Title
St. Louis blues [videocassette] / director, story, Dudley Murphy ; under the supervision of Dick Currier.
Publication
Astoria, N.Y. : Gramercy Studios of RCA Photophone, Inc.

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Moving imageUse in library Sc Visual VRB-2013Schomburg Center - Moving Image & Recorded Sound
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Moving imageBy appointment only Sc Visual VRA-259Schomburg Center - Moving Image & Recorded Sound

Details

Additional Authors
  • Currier, Dick.
  • Murphy, Dudley, 1897-1968.
  • Smith, Bessie, 1894-1937
  • Handy, W. C. (William Christopher), 1873-1958.
  • Johnson, Rosamond.
  • Mordecai, Jimmy.
  • Washington, Isabel.
  • RCA Photophone.
Description
1 videocassette (U-matic) (17 min.) : sd., b&w; 3/4 in.
Summary
Bessie Smith plays a woman arriving home to find her man Jimmy with another woman (Isabel Washington), who has brought him luck in a crap game. Disconsolate over his infidelity, Bessie sings "My man's got a heart like a rock" while perched at a bar in a nightclub. Bessie is joined by a band and chorus. Jimmy (Jimmy Mordecai) appears and does a rousing dance, fakes a reconciliation with Bessie only to run off with all her money again. This is the only surviving film made by the legendary blues singer.
Alternative Title
Saint Louis blues.
Subject
  • African American singers > Drama
  • African Americans in motion pictures
  • Blues (Music) > To 1931
  • Jazz > 1921-1930
  • Short films
Genre/Form
  • Black films and programs.
  • Music shorts.
Note
  • Other titles on this tape: Symphony in Black (9 minutes) -- Pie-Pie Blackbird (9 minutes)-- Jitterbug Party (6 minutes)
Credits (note)
  • Choral arrangements by W.C. Handy and Rosamund Johnson, cinematography by Walter Strenge.
Performer (note)
  • Bessie Smith, James P. Johnson Orchestra, Fletcher Henderson Band, W.C. Handy Choir.
Call Number
Sc Visual VRB-2013
OCLC
NYPG98-F111
Title
St. Louis blues [videocassette] / director, story, Dudley Murphy ; under the supervision of Dick Currier.
Imprint
Astoria, N.Y. : Gramercy Studios of RCA Photophone, Inc., 1929.
Cast
Bessie Smith, James P. Johnson Orchestra, Fletcher Henderson Band, W.C. Handy Choir.
Credits
Choral arrangements by W.C. Handy and Rosamund Johnson, cinematography by Walter Strenge.
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Added Author
Currier, Dick.
Murphy, Dudley, 1897-1968. Director
Smith, Bessie, 1894-1937 Performer
Handy, W. C. (William Christopher), 1873-1958. Arranger
Johnson, Rosamond. Arranger
Mordecai, Jimmy. Performer
Washington, Isabel. Performer
RCA Photophone.
Added Title
Saint Louis blues.
Research Call Number
Sc Visual VRB-2013 Original of: Sc Visual VRA-259
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