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Reviews
Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)
Remember My Forgotten Man, You put a Rifle in His Hand!
I watched Gold Diggers of 1933 last night and was left in awe. First it's beautifully restored, thanks to Turner Classics. I was struck by the sexual innuendos, and was amazed that Hollywood was so open about sex back then. Of course we know that the 'Code' came along and such openness in films was forbidden for years. The number 'Pettin in the Park' had tons of nude female silhouettes, and lustful guys and in the restaurant scene Fanny (Guy Kibbee) tries to stick his hand up (Aline MacMahon) Trixie's skirt! It was a feel good film as the three starving (It's the Depression) female leads all ended up marrying men with money and hopefully live happily ever after.
However, the one number that will stick with me for years to come is the politically charged closing number, "Forgotten Man". Such a blunt number today about the political and social climate would raise eyebrows. So you can imagine what it must have done back then. Joan Blondell does a wonderful job opening the piece, but then African American singer, Etta Moten jumps in and powerfully sings the song thus stealing the number from Blondell. Sadly due to the times (racism in America and Hollywood) Moten gets almost no credit.
Moten is sitting in a window lamenting through song and the camera pans to other women. The emotion on all the actresses faces is powerful. The song, though dated is a great statement about the effects that war has on the women left behind and what happens when the men return.
Overall it's a very entertaining musical.
Phat Girlz (2006)
This film is Long Overdue!
How many times have we seen films where the fat person slims down and is finally accepted by society? Far too many! Well, PHAT GIRLZ is a film with a difference. In it the PHAT GIRLZ learn to accept who they are and love themselves. And guess what, when they do, the world loves them.
This film has a lot lessons on self-acceptance and goals for unrealistic bodyweight. It should be required watching for teenage girls and women who struggle with their weight.
Who set the standard that a beautiful woman looks like a 12 year old boy? Is it the diet companies that make huge profit selling their 'snake oil' diet concoctions. What about the exercise video folks and gyms. Or is it men trying to ensure they can control women by making them physically weak? Think about it, a 90 pound woman can't physically fight off a muscular 160 pound man.
A beautiful woman should have curves and some flesh to her name, down with the ugly skeletal beauty image that Hollywood has created for society. Have you noticed that the skeletal beauties are always cranky, and miserable, probably because they are constantly hungry. and why are the skeletal beauties constantly picking on the heavier ladies? Is it because they are insecure with their own selves? Watch Phat Girlz and see how American society's obsession with thin almost drives Phat girl Jazmin Biltmore (Mo'Nique)to the brink of insanity. It takes visitors from Africa to teach them that they are who they are so love it. Yes, there's been a lot of talk that a fine chiseled six pack toting guy can't love a Phat girl. But who dictates such thinking? In some parts of the world Phat is beauty.
I loved seeing Africa portrayed in a positive way, and the footage from Lagos, Nigeria was a treat. The soundtrack was great as well. The dialogue between the two doctors over who winds up with skinny Mia is hilarious.
My only complaint with the film, in some parts the photography is horrible, almost like they used different types of cameras. Maybe they could have invested a little more. Otherwise I found the film thoroughly entertaining.
Phat Girlz is a film, that's been long overdue! Thanks Nngest Likke, for this wonderful film. And oh, yes, the Phat Girlz do exercise and work out as well.
Tusamehe (2005)
An African Immigrant learns that you reap what you sow, even in America.
Tusamehe in Swahili means 'forgive us'. After seeing Tusamehe it's clear that people need forgiveness for many things. This film is not only a tale of morals and awareness but takes an interesting look at the AIDS crisis. Viewers will see that not only is HIV/AIDS a problem in Africa but amongst African immigrants in the USA as well. The film is a slap in the face wake up call to viewers that HIV/AIDS is real and it does not discriminate.
Bilantanya Moses Bakeyemba (played by Fundi Kibwana) is an immigrant from Bongoland (no secret it's Tanzania) living the American Dream in Minnesota. He has a successful, well paying job, owns a house and two cars and is married to a beautiful woman, Salome, (played by Blandina Donald) from his homeland. We find out that before he got married he had an American girlfriend (played by KariAnn Craig), who is jealous of his marriage to the "African Queen". She does everything she can to rekindle the relationship and Bilantanya soon falls. Salome finds out and chaos ensues.
But, life goes on for the married couple and Salome tells Bilantanya that she is pregnant. He is even happier when he finds out that the child is a boy. Joy turns to grief when after a pre-natal check-up Salome finds out that she is HIV positive and the baby is at risk of being sick as well. Bilantanya soon falls desperately ill. Knowing that he is dying, Bilantanya begs for forgiveness from God and at the same time prays to live long enough to see his son. While this is going on a Pharmaceutical Boss seeks religious counseling after he becomes overridden with guilt for not supplying cheaper drugs to Africa and doing more to help the AIDS crisis. Just when you think nothing worse can happen to the couple, Bilantanya dies and that's not the end of the story.
The film has sad and funny moments but the ending of it is very climatic. Another love Triangle is unveiled. The cleverly crafted plot takes interesting turns as we find out that no one is really who they seem to be, not even the Pastor (played by Peter Omari).
Many Tanzanians will feel that they are looking in the mirror as Kibira captures the negative culture of gossiping, promiscuity, drinking, and risk taking. Hopefully viewers will take a look at themselves and change their ways or realize the effects of their actions.
Director, Screenwriter and Producer, Josiah Kibira used actors from Tanzania based in Minnesota for this film, along with a pool of Minnesota actors. They all do an excellent job. Christina Sedlacek also gives a touching performance as a caring visiting nurse and Robert Kataraia does a great job playing Kipara, Bilantanya's best friend.
Tusamehe is Kibira's second feature film, the first was Bongoland. I look forward to see many more.
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974)
A tale of incredible Endurance and Resilience.
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman is a powerful story. Miss Jane's story of the 110 years of her life is incredible. How anyone could survive the horrors that she endured from slavery to freedom to carpetbaggers to even seeing the Civil Rights movement is almost unfathomable. The sad thing is that much never really changes for blacks over the 110 years even though they are free. Discrimination, lynching and the Ku Klux Klan are part of daily life.
Miss Jane never realizes her dream of reaching Ohio (the North). She loses everyone precious to her, her foster mother, Big Laura, her son, her husband, her godson. The only time she was really truly happy was during her brief marriage to Joe Pittman, a cowboy who's killed by an albino 'devil' horse. Yet, one wonders if her actions didn't cause Joe's death. She sharecrops and does what she needs to do to survive. Miss Jane remains a feisty admirable old woman to the end.
The scene at the water fountain where Miss Jane dares the rednecks to try and stop her from drinking from the 'White's Only' fountain is so powerful. The expressions on the actors' faces white and black are so real.
Cicely Tyson does an excellent job playing a 110 year old woman. In fact it's hard to believe that she is not an old woman. This film is far shorter than Roots and in my opinion should be required viewing for all American High School students.
The First Auto (1927)
The horse becomes obsolete.
I don't know why this film is listed as comedy when there are many dramatic and tear jerking moments. 'The First Auto' is a silent film from 1927 that offers food for thought about the introduction of the Horseless Carriage into American society. This story is set in a place called Maple City in rural America.
In 1895, the horse was King of the road and people couldn't imagine anything that wasn't pushed or pulled by one. Horses and horse racing are a dominant part of town culture, and we see horse rivalry in the story of a prize racehorse Sloe Eyes, owned by Hank Armstrong (Russell Simpson). He loved his Horses like they were own children, so when 'Sloe Eyes' dies of a stroke, he nurtures its foal as if she were his own child.
Fear of the unknown is well portrayed. Respected townsman, Mr. Stebbins (Douglas Gerrard) Insurance is canceled because he bought a Horseless carriage contraption. He is notified of the cancellation just before his pioneering feat. Stebbins has just bought the town's first horseless carriage and the entire population turns out complete with a parade to witness the first Horseless carriage move. Stebbins doesn't know how to drive and refers to a manual. The town undertaker is shown ready to do his duty. Stebbins takes his entire family, wife and five kids, on a perilous ride which spooks horses, damages property and finally ends up going off a cliff. Miraculously everyone survives.
Hank feels betrayed when his son, Bob (Charles Emmett Mack), shows no interest in horses but instead falls in love with everything horseless carriage. Hank's actions unintentionally end up endangering his son's life. Hanks once thriving business suffers because of the automobile. But in the end he learns that if you can't beat them join them.
Another indicator of the times, blacks are hired hands in the stable. But, I was even more shocked to see that even Silent film stereotyped. The dialogue for Blacks is written out, "I don no, suh, ah've done sent for th' hoss doctah!" The film ends with an old fashioned one person airplane flying over, and people being amazed by it. This left me thinking about the introduction of other inventions in the 20th century like the computer, and rockets.
Overall, it was a great film and it has been beautifully restored.
Hallelujah (1929)
A son is killed due to the senseless stupidity of another son. He is forgiven and goes on to become a revered preacher who ends up sinning yet again.
Hallelujah, may be an old black and white film from 1929, but I found it incredibly moving. First, I had no idea that Hollywood made an all black film in 1929, just out of the Silent film era. So, what a treat it was to see 'Hallelujah'.
This story is about a poor close knit religious family somewhere down South. There's a saying that , "Religion is the Opium of the People". This film shows that there is some truth to that as faith seems to drown out grief.
When the film opens we see the entire family working together to harvest their cotton crop. This is the only source of income for the family for the entire year. Later the family celebrates their harvest when they are interrupted by their neighbors Adam and Eve and their eleven kids. They want to do the right thing and get married, after years of living together and having eleven kids. While Pappy 'Parson' Johnson (Harry Gray) marries his guests, the oldest son, Zeke (Daniel L. Haynes) goes inside and lusts after Missy Rose (Victoria Spivey). She's a beautiful young woman adopted into the family. She is afraid of his advances, but they end up in a passionate kiss.
In the morning the crop is loaded onto a wagon and the two older boys, Zeke and Spunk (Everett McGarrity) head off to the cotton gin, where its nicely processed into a bale and sold. The income from their crop is $100. Of this money Zeke is supposed to buy things for his family, clothes, shoes, food stuffs. Instead Zeke abandons his loving brother and runs off to the pier. There he sees a beautiful mulatto woman, Chick (Nina Mae McKinney) dancing. Zeke is mesmerized. Chick hurls insults at Zeke, but after Zeke pulls out his family's earnings she Chick walks away with him. They end up in a juke joint where Zeke is conned out of all the money by Chick and her partner Hot Shot (William Fountaine). When Zeke realizes he's been had he fights for the money. Hot Shot pulls out a gun shooting indiscriminately, Zeke grabs it and shoots as well. Spunk who was searching for his brother and just found him at the bar is fatally wounded. We don't know who fired the shot that killed him.
Mammy (Fanny Belle deKnight) senses something is terribly wrong when she sees her older sons bed empty. She started wailing and the family prays for the boys. The next morning Zeke returns home with his brother's body instead of the goodies or money that the family was waiting for. A wake is held and Zeke repents his sins and becomes a preacher. Zeke's style: he becomes the conductor on a train headed for heaven, complete with stops. When Zeke says this is the last stop all the sinners in the crowd flock to the train on the track to Salvation,.
Zeke's preaching leads to prosperity for his family. They travel by their own train to Revivals. In an unnamed town Zeke meets Chick and Hot Shot again. They taunt him terribly. Chick ends up at a Revival and is saved. She returns to be baptized to the dislike of the family. Viewers can feel the sexual tension and lust Zeke feels for Chick. After the baptism, Zeke carries Chick to a tent as if possessed, and is about to make love to her when Mammy intervenes. That night Zeke seems to be soul searching and asks Missy Rose to marry him.
The next day there's a spiritually charged sermon followed by a Holy dance. Chick bites Zeke on the hand like a viper, breaking his resistance, the next thing he is running out the Church into the darkness with her in his arms. Missy Rose goes running after them into the dark begging for Zeke's return.. Realizing that she's lost Zeke she cries in such a mournful way viewers can feel her pain.
Next Zeke goes to work in a factory to support Chick, but its obviously tiring hard work for him. Hot Shot finds Chick and meets her at their home while Zeke is away at work. One night Hot Shot returns for Chick. Zeke is tired and sleeping at the table when a stone thrown by Hot Shot at the window wakes him. Zeke gets his shotgun and shoots at the fleeing couple. He runs after them. He incredibly fast catching up with the wagon. The wagon get stuck in the mud overturning, and throwing Chick in the mud. She's mortally wounded.
While Chick is dying she pleads for Zeke to take her out of the mud. She speaking like she can't see him, she says the Devil is coming for her. Zeke doesn't realize Chick is dying and she dies in his arms. Hot Shot returns to check if Chick is okay. Realizing that Chick is dead, Zeke chases Hot Shot down in the swamp and kills him.
Zeke lands in Prison on a Chain Gang but is later paroled. He returns to his family who are happy to see him and we're lead to believe that he ends up marrying Missy Rose.
At times this film feels like a play, and one might get annoyed by the stereotypes. The photography is that of the time, right out of the Silent film Era. Even with its technical flaws, this is a powerful film whose message is valid today.
They say that King Vidor used his own funds to make this film and it was originally meant to be a silent film. Considering that there weren't many Black films made in the early 20th century, King Vidor needs to be commended otherwise we wouldn't be talking of Hallelujah now.
The Apostle (1997)
SPOILERS Can I get an Amen!
This is one of the most realistic portrayals of the Evangelical Church that I've seen and that's probably because Robert Duvall used real people to play most of the roles. I found myself following his sermons with keen interest and wanting more. I was in tears when Sonny ended up in handcuffs. He brought Christ back to this small community and it seems also helped improve race relations in the town.
Back to the story, the Devil enters Pastor Sonny Dewey (Robert Duvall) after his wife, Jessie (Farrah Fawcett) has an affair with the handsome young Church Youth leader, Horace (Todd Allen). Things get worst when Jessie demands a divorce and kicks Sonny out of the Church, coup d'etat style. He's upset because he built the Church and it's been his life.
A drunk Sonny goes to pick his kids up for a visit, and ends up in a confrontation with Horace. On a little league baseball field in front on many, Sonny viciously strikes the Youth leader in the face with a bat sending into convulsions and a coma. Sonny, then flees town, ending up in Bayou Boute, Louisiana, where he revives a dead church. Sonny manages to elude the police by calling himself Apostle E.F.. All the way he says he is on a mission from God. The congregation loves him, and we see members go from a handful to a packed church. He even manages to stop a racist troublemaker (Billy Bob Thornton) from destroying the tiny church with a bulldozer.
During this time Sonny's beloved Mother dies from kidney failure and Horace dies. Just when things are going well for Sonny and the Church, the State Police show up to arrest him. Strange how Jessie hears interference on her Texas radio, and manages to identify it as Sonny. she then tips the police on Sonny's location. Could this be that Sonny did the Lord's work in Bayou Boute and now its time to minister to inmates?
Many who see this will probably wish Sonny was their Pastor. Robert Duvall's Portrayal was so believable that it was hard to believe that he is just acting. He obviously studied and understood his role well. I consider the film many Bible lessons packed into one film. It's also a story of good versus evil, and a lesson on what jealousy can drive a person to.
Cabin in the Sky (1943)
A Tale of the Power of Love and Faith
This is a timeless tale of 'Good vs. Evil' and the power of love. The film was made in 1943, and has an all black cast. It centers on the lives of little Joe Jackson (Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson) and his wife, Petunia (Ethel Waters). They are poor and live somewhere in America. A reflection of the times, their world and heaven is all black.
Little Joe doesn't deserve to have a loving devoted wife like Petunia. She's God fearing and wants him to repent and stop his gambling habits, besides that its no secret he's had an affair with town beauty, Georgia Brown (Lena Horne).
One day Petunia convinces Little Joe to go to Church. While in Church his gambling buddies Lucius (Rex Ingram), and Jim Henry (Ernest Whitman), get him to sneak out and play a game of dice with Domino Johnson (John William Sublett). Little Joe is seriously wounded when Domino attacks him for cheating.
Little Joe is taken home in a coma and even the doctor is unsure if he'll pull through. Petunia prays for Little Joe's salvation. It's during this time that the Lord's Army, led by The General (Kenneth Spencer) and Devil's from Hell led by the Devil's son Lucius Jr. fight for Little Joe's soul. Because of Petunia's 'powerful prayers' he's given another chance by God, six more months to live. There's a catch, during that time he must be good in order to get into heaven otherwise he's anxiously awaited in Hell.
When Little Joe awakes he has no memory of what happened. His wife Petunia takes care of him faithfully. Their love is highlighted by musical numbers like 'Cabin in the Sky' and 'Happiness is a Thing called Joe.'
Once Joe's able to go back to work, Georgia Brown starts having designs on him again. The Devils plot to let Little Joe win the lottery is hatched. At first it looks like its going fail. Little Joe can't read the telegram informing him about his windfall and throws it away. But Lucifer Jr. blows it in the path of sexy Georgia Brown who promptly delivers it to Little Joe at his home. Petunia's not home and Little Joe is relaxing in a hammock. Georgia Brown tries hard to tempt Little Joe to make love and a kiss is interupted when Joe's conscious catches up with him thanks to the prodding of The General who's watching over him for his six month reprieve. It's then that Georgia Brown reads the telegram and tells him that he's won the lottery. Little Joe is happy and tells Georgia Brown that he's going to buy her things like a fur coat as thanks. That's when Petunia comes back and overhears. Petunia is so enraged at Georgia Brown's presence that she kicks them both out. She is tearful and heartbroken that the man she loves has been unfaithful to her.
Cut to six month's from the day of Little Joe's injury. The great band Leader Duke Ellington and his band are playing at Jim Henry's Club thanks to Litte Joe's bankroll. Little Joe shows up in his chauffeur driven car with Georgia Brown. He's in a tuxedo complete with top hat, tails and a fancy cane. Georgia Brown is in a fancy dress that one patron says 'will still be in style one hundred years from now'. Showing her morals she exposed her fancy and expensive underwear for all to see.
Domino Johnson shows up at the Club to celebrate his release from jail
for injuring Little Joe. In a complete change of character Petunia shows up at the Club all dolled up in fancy clothes. Petunia makes it clear to Little Joe that he's going to pay for them. Little Joe is so fascinated at Petunia's beauty, saying ' he didn't know'. Petunia also tells him that he's going to hear from her lawyer to get her share of the money. Petunia even drinks liquor ordering a 'double King Kong'.
There's a showdown between Georgia Brown and Petunia for Little Joe's affection. Georgia Brown tells Little Joe to watch what he says to his wife. Petunia fires back saying that "She is still his wife and has the inside track!" The showdown gets even more interesting when Petunia thanks Domino for almost killing her husband and then dances him. She dances and kicks her leg up high showing that big women can be sexy too. Petunia's conscious and God fearing nature catches up to her when Domino starts making advances on her caressing and hugging her. Jealousy and the urge to protect Petunia overtake Little Joe and he fights once again with Domino.
Petunia calls for the Lord's intervention who sends a tornado emptying and destroying the Club, but in the process both Petunia and Little Joe are fatally wounded. At the gates of Heaven , The General tells them that only Petunia can go to heaven, but Petunia once again pleads for Joe to go as well. She points out that it was her behavior that caused the disaster. Petunia is forgiven by Little Joe is not.
It looks like he won't be entering heaven until we hear that Georgia Brown has repented and gave everything she owned including most of Little Joe's money to the church. In the end they both are allowed into heaven. Its during the climb of the stairway to heaven that Little Joe awakes out of his coma. Turns out the past six months have all be a horrible dream.
Little Joe swears off gambling forever and asks for his dice and lottery ticket to be destroyed. Viewers are left feeling that Petunia and Little Joe lived happily ever after.
The film was directed by legendary Director Vincent Minnelli. It's also a rare chance to see the talents of black entertainers of the time. One can only imagine the competition for roles in this film. It's too bad that Hollywood didn't make more black movies, in its early years. It was a time when the only roles for Blacks in Hollywood were idiots, maids and butlers and hired hands.
Overall, on talent, Cabin in the Sky makes us long for more. On story, the film is one with a message that transcends time and race.
Bongoland (2003)
An African immigrant finds that America is not the land of milk and honey.
'Bongoland' is supposed to be a fictitious African country, but it's no secret that Bongoland is really the East African nation, Tanzania. The film opens with beautiful shots of Bukoba, Tanzania and Lake Victoria.
A ballad by late Tanzanian pop singer, Justin Kalikawe gives us some background on the main character Juma Pondamali who lives in Minnesota. He left Bongoland for America with the blessings of those at home in hopes of finding a better life and being able to help those he left behind.
Juma started out in America as a student but his status expired and he's now an illegal alien. Because of his status he must work as a dishwasher and peel potatoes at a restaurant. His co-workers seem to leave all the hard work to Juma which he does though grudgingly. One co-worker even taunts Juma about his doing menial work, even though he's highly educated.
Juma has a girlfriend, a white American, Rachel. Juma takes her to a restaurant where he's unable to pay his bill because his credit card is rejected. During the film we learn they've been a couple for two years. But obviously the film is about the end stage of their relationship. There's little affection between the two, except for a peck of the cheek, and a brief rub goodbye on the shoulders. Their relationship seems to have been hurt by the fact that Juma has different expectations of a relationship than Rachel. Blame culture clash, whereas in African relationships men are superior, and in America couples are equal. Rachel is so annoyed with Juma that she demands he leave her house and even threatens to call the police on him. This after he brought her flowers and came to apologize for not speaking to her on the phone while visiting some friends from Bongoland.
To make amends Rachel invites Juma to dinner at her house with her parents. The parents are wary of Juma even though he seems to be a nice man. Juma leaves early but happens to overhear a conversation between Rachel and her parents which has subtle hints of racism.
With his love life in shambles, Juma's hours at his job are cut making him unable to pay his bills. We soon learn that the hour cut is the work of some his conniving co-worker who's deliberately trying to get Juma to quit. Juma's forced to put his manhood aside and beg and cry to keep the 25 hour work week that he has.
Things briefly look better for Juma when he lands a desk job in a local financial company complete with benefits. However, when he shows up to start he's turned away at the door because the company has found out that he's an illegal alien. A small political speech ensues about how illegal immigrants are unable to work decent jobs and have no means of advancing in American society.
Juma is evicted and moves in with a fellow countryman, Edwin. They have many discussions about life in America. One day other Bongolanders come over and its even suggested that he take up with an older white woman who could marry him. This would legalize his status is America. Juma refuses saying he doesn't want to drag others into his problems. Soon after Juma decides life in America is not for him and returns to Bongoland.
The audience is left wondering if Juma could have succeeded in America if he had gone about things differently. Juma represents many illegal aliens in the USA.
This was Director/Writer Josiah Kibira's first film. It's also one of the few feature films that use Swahili. It was indeed a great effort. Many will be touched by the film, but some Africans and especially Tanzanians will be embarrassed. They are the ones who portray life in America as being easy and great. They send home false images of America, while working menial jobs some times two and three at a time. They are too ashamed to admit the truth. Bongoland says it all!
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1971)
Ahead of its time!
I had heard a lot about Sweet Sweetback's Baad Asssss Song over the years, but finally got to see it yesterday, 5-2-04.
I have to say that I can see how it opened up a new genre..the Blaxploitation films. Whoa! It's powerful from the opening when we read about people in the black community oppressed by 'THE MAN' to the end when Sweetback escapes safely to Mexico (after killing hound dogs)!
There is a lot of symbolism as well. Sweetback lapping water like a dog from the ground in the desert, having sex with an almost Amazon looking white woman till she has an orgasm and calls his name 'Sweetback', Sweetback. Then she helps save him.
One big question I was left with, A woman surrounded by a lot of children says she may have had a child once named Leroy. He was taken away by the state and she doesn't know what happened to him. Is Leroy, really Sweetback? After all the movie opens with a starving, mangy , dirty little boy (young Sweetback) wolfing down food in a brothel and watched by Prostitutes. They take him in and raise him. I take it as saying that the system fails black youth.
The abuse by the white police was appalling, espceially when it came to searching for Sweetback. We hear the white police use the N-word liberally, and Black life is worthless. You can feel the anger of the oppressed black community in the film.
The film may be considered rebellious but I think its a masterpiece. And obviously, Hollywood thought so because it started the era of Blaxploitation films.
Train Ride to Hollywood (1975)
Bloodstone's Harry Williams & his Wacky Dream
Train Ride to Hollywood is a musical comedy. Bloodstone's Harry Williams is fascinated with Hollywood and its famous actors of old. He falls and hits his head just before going on stage, no thanks to their producer (Michael Payne) tugging on his leg. The movie is his dream, a goofy dream at that.
There are auditions in Hollywood and they need to take a three-day train ride to get there. The only problem is they don't have the money for train tickets. So they trick real railway workers and steal their uniforms. The train's passengers consist of a Sheikh and his harem, W.C. Fields, Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler, a loveable Dracula, The Godfather, Humphrey Bogart, Jean Harlow, Nelson Eddie and Jeanette MacDaonald and others. Bloodstone turns into detectives ala Sherlock Holmes following a double murder. Guess the killer couldn't stand Nelson Eddie and Jeanette MacDonald's continuous singing. A wacky funeral, fight with a gorilla, and threat of being turned into a wax museum figure are all part of Harry's dream.
Dance numbers are good especially the memorable Train Ride number filmed in L.A's Union Station. (Funny thing is they start at Union station and end there). I've watched it over and over again. Charles McCormick and his falsetto voice are wonderful in the number with the Rhythm professor. Charles Love singing to Tracy Reed is also great to watch. Too bad there is no soundtrack for this film. The movie is overall fun.