Herald Pictures, 1947
Starring Billy Daniels, Sheila Guyse, Tondeleyo, and Jack Carter
Directed by Arthur H. Leonard
Music and Lyrics by various
Let's celebrate Valentine's Day this year with one of the most charming of all "race films." These independent B flicks were made from the 20's through the late 40's for black audiences in smaller, segregated houses. They didn't have the resources of even the "Poverty Row" studios in the era, but what they lacked in largess, they often made up for in vitality...and that's true of this year's Valentine's Day romance. How does the fairy tale look as the story of an up-and-coming songwriter and the girl who truly loves him? Let's start at the boarding house where Barbara (Guyse) and Bob (Daniels) live and find out...
The Story: Barbara helps Bob write what becomes a hit song, "Cinderella." It becomes a hit, but the success goes to Bob's head and he abandons his friends and seldom comes home to the boarding house. He falls for the wiles of devious rich club owner Vivian (Tondeleyo), who sets him up in his own club and milks his popularity for all its worth. Not only does this upset Barbara, but Vivian's fiancee Ralph (Jack Carter) isn't happy, either. When it seems the public's losing interest in Bob, his press agent (Fred Gordon) sets up a contest where he'll choose a woman's shoe out from the dozens entered, then sing with her. Barbara and the residents of the boarding house are determined that she should be the one he chooses...and that he should realize how much she really means to him.
The Song and Dance: "Adorable" isn't a word that comes up often in B-musicals with any kind of cast, but this is just so sweet. Guyes is so lovely and charming, one wonders how Bob can ignore her for so long, and Tondeleyo has just as much fun seducing him. Carter gets a few good moments as her scorned lover mid-way through the film, including a club number of his own. Look for a now-grown Freddie Bartholmew as himself in the audience near the end of the movie. There are some decent numbers, too, including the "Cinderella" song that causes all the ruckus. It's also not as obviously cheap - some of the ladies' gowns are lovely
Favorite Number: "Cinderella" turns up four times, starting with when Bob and Barbara write it in the beginning. Bob sings it at least twice, once in his own "Cinderella Club," while Barbara gets to solo on it near the end. We kick off with Bob's band really tearing into a jiving instrumental routine. They're so good, they get a major ovation from Barbara and Mama Keyes (Hilda Offley). Bob's other big number at the nightclub is the more upbeat "Ring Around My Rosie." Deek Watson and the Brown Dots get two numbers at the contest later, wondering "Is It Right?" and singing about "Long Legged Lizzie." Even the press agent gets to lay into "Oh Ho, It's a Lovely Day."
Trivia: Bartholmew went to World War II when his voice changed and ended his career. He attempted a comeback on TV and in smaller movies in the late 40's and early 50's, but it never stuck, and he finally gave up acting for television directing and producing in 1952.
Billy Daniels' first movie. He'd have a real-life hit a year later with his rendition of "That Old Black Magic."
Look fast for Sidney Poitier as an extra.
What I Don't Like: The cliches fall hard and fast here. Bob's one of the most naive, oblivious idiots you've ever seen, and not just because he fell so hard for the extremely obvious Vivian. He's an easy mark for pretty much everyone, from the fast-talking press agent to the jealous Ralph. While the musical numbers are inserted less awkwardly than in Juke Joint, they're still kind of shoehorned in. Despite them constantly playing the "Cinderella" song, the story doesn't feel particularly "Cinderella" until the last ten minutes or so when they hold that contest. Also, the scene where a black man is obviously playing a stereotypical Chinese being conned by a phony psychic may not sit well with some folks today.
The Big Finale: Charming and sweet, this is a lovely little romance for Valentine's Day and when you're looking for something lower-key.
Home Media: It's in the public domain, so it's pretty easy to find anywhere. It can often be found streaming for free.
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