Stompin' at the Savoy (1992 TV Movie) User Reviews

Too Generic

[view_and_review · 6/10 · 8 April 2020]

Maybe it's because there were four leading actresses, or maybe it's because there wasn't much to it, but the drama in this movie was very tame, hence the movie itself was tame.

Four women were friends and all lived together in a small dig in Harlem: Pauline (Vanessa Williams), Alice (Jasmine Guy), Dorothy (Vanessa Bell Calloway), and the queen of T.V. movies, Lynn Whitfield as Esther. They were the best of friends struggling to get by in Harlem in 1939, the tail end of the Depression. Slowly they began to drift apart and deal with their own issues.

Whereas the movie was decent, there was nothing to firmly grasp, nothing that was really powerful---good or bad. Even when Alice died of tuberculosis it was just like she was no longer around. Like one moment she existed and the next scene she didn't. Her demise was as emotionless as it was unceremonious.

And when Dorothy had her nervous breakdown, it was more perplexing than it was sad. Things were going well for her all things considered then in a matter of moments her cousin moves in, she sees a poster of her boyfriend, she sees her cousin taking advantage of her home, and then SNAP! She's a sobbing mess who never recovered.

It was all too generic: their friendship, their hardships, and even Esther's treachery. A movie like this is nice and nothing more, but I don't invest time to watch movies that are simply nice. If I want nice I'll watch a Nat Geo episode on dolphins.

A ride back to Harlem in the 1930's.

[ShowStopper1908 · 12 January 2003]

This film with an all-star cast does a great job of giving you the feel of Harlem 1939. It centers around the lives of 4 women, their relationships and how they eventually broke apart from each other. There is serious talent in the film and it's actors do a great job. I long for the days when you could enjoy a film with black actors and no rappers! Once the 1940's begun the women strove to make their lives better though they were already doing quite well. It winds up tearing them apart from their friends, the very people who you want to be with when you're at the top.

A show stealing performance by Jasmine Guy

[adifferentblog · 9/10 · 21 December 2010]

Of the 4 girls at the center of this beautiful story, Jasmine Guy's character Alice has the smaller time of presence on screen, but as far as i am concerned she has more emotional impact. Jasmine Guy did a great job using words and body language to convey to the viewer what was happening in Alice's life and how it was impacting her health and her spirit... seriously Jasmine might be one the most underrated actress these days...

But overall this movie is a great story, well cast, scripted and directed by the great Debbie Allen. If Jasmine is able to steal the show whenever she appears, Williams, Whitfield also do a great job, i wonder how this didn't get any Emmy nominations...

4 African American women struggle to make 1930's Harlem their home.

[melissaonline · 10/10 · 24 December 2006]

This film authentically captures the true essence of Harlem in the 1930s as it portrays 4 African American women who struggle to make Harlem their home. The realities that these 4 women faced had portrayed the true nature of how we play with the hand that life deals us. This perfectly cast drama takes you back to a time when women were beautiful, elegant and determined. The skillful choreography to Benny Goodmans Sing Sing Sing and the excellent portrayal of Ella Fitzgerald at the Savoy Ballroom (Dawn Lewis) also adds to this authentic, rich, and highly-entertaining historical drama. It is a film that you are sure to watch more than just once!

Stompin' at the Savoy an excellent movie

[donna-gray-1 · 10/10 · 8 December 2005]

Debbie Allen did an awesome job directing this movie. I caught the tale end of it on TV a few years ago. From what I saw this was a great movie. The movie focuses on African Americans migration to New York and the historical Savoy ballroom, among other highlights. I found the short portion I was able to watch very interesting. I would love to see the movie aired again, hopefully this time I will get to view it in its entirety, or find out how I can purchase the movie. Another movie of interest to me is Pinky, which is coming out for sale soon. Pinky deals with an African American girl in the South whose skin color allowed her to pass as a white person. African Americans have made many movies, plays, etc., but they are very hard to find. I would like to see more black movies aired besides the typical pimp, drug dealer movies. African Americans contributed many different forms of art to American society. It would be nice to see black movies not just during Black History Month. For what the 'black star channel' offers is not worth paying for - you see repeats of the same movies. I want variety.

Dancing with Feelings

[vonnie-15 · 10/10 · 2 February 2007]

I thought this was a great movie - I was a dancer in my earlier years and this movie brought back memories. This movie should be seen more often for our young children (black and white) to know how beautiful and enjoyable dancing can be. Also, this movie can teach you to survive and what friendship is about. This movie should also be used by dance instructors for educational purposes for their students.

The dance choreography for this movie was just fantastic. I can not dance like that anymore but seeing this movie made me get up and move around alittle with joy. This movie also would be great to show to senior citizens - I know it would bring back some memories for them especially the ones that are 70 plus. My mom would enjoy it - she was a swinger - she is now 78 years old. God is Blessing her.

I am hoping that this movie will be shown again soon on lifetime or whatever cable or TV channel that will show it.

I'M SKEPTICAL ABOUT HISTORICAL ACCURACY!

[playthellgb · 4 May 2019]

I have not seen the movie because I can't figure out how to bring the video up on Amazon Prime. But when I read a description of the movie that talks about a great dance scene to Bennie Goodman's "Sing, Sing, Sing" at the avoy Ballroom it tells me the writer of the script was pretty clueless about the musical history of the era. Bennie Goodman's band was revered by white Folks. The Great Chick Webb's band were the kings of the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. All of the great black bands - the true creators of big band Jazz and y far the hardest swingers - trembled in their boots when the performed at the Savoy, because Chick was a great drummer and the dancers judged every band by their rhythm. The one time Bennie Goodman played the Savoy it was a battle of the bands and Chick Webb blew Goodman's drummer Gene Krupa OFF THE STAGE!!!! this was a legendary night in Harlem's cultural history, and if the movie blew that it has missed the mark. As I said, I have not yet viewed the film. When I do, if I am proven wrong, I will come back on this site and say so. Hence I regard this review as a heads up to future viewers, not a final judgement on the movie. The mere fact that Debbie Allen, a great dancer.choreographer is directing it assures me that the dancing will be GREAT! And that along with the bevy of black, brown and beige shimming beauties makes it wort the price of the ticket!

My Comments is giving 'Kudos' to an Excellent Movie

[Bbrown3439 · 10/10 · 3 March 2001]

This is an Excellent Movie. It premiered approximately 4 years ago on the Lifetime Channel for Black History Month in Chicago. I have not seen a rerun of this movie yet. I have been trying to locate the video (if one exist), however I have been unsuccessful. So if someone has information as to how I can order this movie, please do not hesitate to correspond.