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Harlem Double Feature: Hi De Ho/Duke Is Tops
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(DVD - Code 1) (US-Import)
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Inhalt: |
Hi-De-Ho (B&W, 1947): The "King of Hi-De-Ho," the irrepressible Cab CalIoway stars in this musical romp from the hey-day of swing. The highly dramatic account of the bandleader's rise from obscurity and poverty to fame and riches revolves around the influence of the two women in his life. Jealous girIfriend Minnie is Cab's main muse, but when his strong-wiIled manager, Nettie, starts to dominate his struggIing career, Minnie coaxes mob boss Mason to rub out the swing-band maestro. But it will take more than flying bullets to put a crimp in CalIoway's skyrocketing success. 1947's Hi-De-Ho (not to be confused with the 1934 and 1937 Cab CaIloway shorts of the same name) is a high energy showcase for the beloved bandleader who was awarded the American National MedaI of the Arts in 1993 by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Stars Cab CaIIoway, Jeni LeGon, George WiItshire and lda James; Directed by Josh Binney.
The Duke Is Tops (B&W, 1938): Beautiful songstress, EtheI Andrews, is destined for stardom, so her manager and sweetheart, Duke Davis, reluctantIy signs over her contract to big-time New York producers. Now unempIoyed, Duke Iends his show-business savvy and talent to an old friend's traveIing medicine show. Sadly, he foIlows Ethel's success from a distance, but destiny has its own designs on the separated coupIe.
The Duke Is Tops marks the film debut of a radiant 21-year-old Lena Horne. Lena had been dancing since the age of 16 at the Cotton Club in Harlem, where she had help from Cab CalIoway and Duke Ellington. Her biggest break came in 1943 when her rendition of the title song in Stormy Weather became a huge hit on the musical charts.
Stars Ralph Cooper and Lena Horne;Directed by William L. NoIte. |
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