Juke Joint

Series: Tyler Texas Black Film Collection

Duration: 60

Year Published: 1947

Creator: Phoenix Films and Video

Format: 16mm

Color: B&W

Sound: sound

Description: Bad News Johnson and July Jones alias Vanderbilt Whitney and Cornbread Green, two penniless con-men, arrive in Dallas, heeding Horace Greeley's advice to Go West young man. Impersonating thespians, they seek lodging at the home of Mama Lou Holiday. Mama agrees to give them free room and board if they instruct her daughter, Honeydew, in the theatrical arts for an upcoming beauty contest she has entered. While Honeydew prepares for the competition, her sister Florida plans to run off to Chicago with Johnny, owner of the Juke Joint. When Mama Lou finds out, she enlists the aid of Johnson and Jones to retrieve her. (This film is part of the Tyler, Texas Black Film Collection, a group of motion pictures made between 1935 and 1956 featuring mostly or all-Black casts, produced and/or directed by African American filmmakers and shown primarily to Black audiences. Each film is preceded by a 4 minute explanatory introduction by Ossie Davis.) (Circulates).

Complete Record: Bad News Johnson and July Jones alias Vanderbilt Whitney and Cornbread Green, two penniless con-men, arrive in Dallas, heeding Horace Greeley's advice to Go West young man. Impersonating thespians, they seek lodging at the home of Mama Lou Holiday. Mama agrees to give them free room and board if they instruct her daughter, Honeydew, in the theatrical arts for an upcoming beauty contest she has entered. While Honeydew prepares for the competition, her sister Florida plans to run off to Chicago with Johnny, owner of the Juke Joint. When Mama Lou finds out, she enlists the aid of Johnson and Jones to retrieve her. (This film is part of the Tyler, Texas Black Film Collection, a group of motion pictures made between 1935 and 1956 featuring mostly or all-Black casts, produced and/or directed by African American filmmakers and shown primarily to Black audiences. Each film is preceded by a 4 minute explanatory introduction by Ossie Davis.) (Circulates).