Hong Kong Blues

Mirele Efros

Mirele Efros, "the Jewish Queen Lear," was the masterpiece of Ukrainian-born Jacob Gordin, an enormously influential Yiddish playwright whose works sought to describe and promulgate the ethos of mentshlekhkeyt: the practice of honesty, decency, and devotion toward family and community. This sophisticated version of his stage classic faithfully recreates Jewish life in turn-of-the-century Grodno, Poland.

I Wanna Go Back to West Virginia

A Soundie featuring Slim Andrews and The Fashionaires with Sybil Rae.

Catskill Honeymoon

A Jewish resort hotel celebrates a pair of longtime customers' fiftieth wedding anniversary by staging an old-fashioned Borscht Belt show replete with singers, dancers, comedians, and impressionists.

Bli-Blip

Duke Ellington and His Orchestra perform "Bli-Blip" with Marie Bryant and Paul White

Beautiful Clothes

Harry Langdon lip syncs the title song and interacts with models.

A Zoot Suit with a Reet Pleat

An early "soundie" in which Dorothy Dandridge & Paul White sing "A Zoot Suit with a Reet Pleat" while getting dressed up for a big date.

Hot Chocolate

Whitey's Lindy Hoppers at their best along with Duke Ellington and his Orchestra performing for this "Hot Chocolate" musical short.

Bride of Frankenstein

Dr. Frankenstein and his monster both turn out to be alive after being attacked by an angry mob. The now-chastened scientist attempts to escape his past, but a former mentor forces him to assist with the creation of a new creature.

Is You Is, or Is You Ain't My Baby?

The King Cole Trio and Ida James perform the title song in this Soundie.

A Little Jive Is Good for You

Martha Tilton sings in this Soundies film from 1941, with Slate Brothers, and Ben Pollack and His Orchestra accompanying.

Jam Session

Duke Ellington and Orchestra perform 'C Jam Blues'.

Cow-Cow Boogie

Dorothy Dandridge and band perform "Cow-Cow Boogie".

Dance of Shame

A burlesque presentation in an antique environment with Faith Bacon in black veils.

Paper Doll

In this Soundie, the Mills Brothers sing the title song to a cut-out image of Dorothy Dandridge, which then comes to life and dances for them.

Penthouse Serenade

A Soundie with Johnny Downs and Gale Storm.

Ma, He's Making Eyes at Me

A Soundie with Ted Fio Rito and Candy Candido.