- Additional Authors
- Currier, Dick.
- Handy, W. C. (William Christopher), 1873-1958.
- Johnson, Rosamond.
- Mordecai, Jimmy.
- Murphy, Dudley, 1897-1968.
- RCA Photophone.
- Smith, Bessie, 1894-1937
- Washington, Isabel.
- Description
- 1 videocassette (U-matic) (17 min.) : sd., b&w; 3/4 in.
- Alternative Title
- Saint Louis blues.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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