The Vanities

Joe Louis, portraying himself, is a good influence on a group of Harlem youths who are tempted to "go bad" by a gangster known as Caper, an older brother of one of the youths.

Featuring the swinging sounds of the all-woman band The International Sweethearts of Rhythm and a young Ruby Dee, the 1946 musical showcases tenderness in romance and community through a series of musical numbers. The loosely connected plot follows film producers hoping to cast a stand-out actress for their next film. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2008.

Billy Martin, whose band is rebelling against him for lack of paying gigs, scores an important audition with Joe Corwin, who is opening a new club and needs a premier act.

Unsuccessful gambler 'Dollar Bill' Burton lives in a crummy New York basement room with old friend Bob and a new roommate, friendly blues singer 'Alabama' Lee. But, tired of being broke, Dollar Bill gets more steady employment...doing illegal errands for gangster Bad Boy George. The now prosperous Bill ignores pretty, adoring Etta and takes up with sultry singer Regina. Will Bill's way of life catch up with him? Will his upright friends be more successful in the end?

A filmed variety show featuring the Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra with special guests.

A small southern town has just been rocked by a tragedy: a young white woman has been raped by a black man. When young black man Garth witnesses the Ku Klux Klan's violent retaliation against his innocent friend, Garth declares a one-man war on the Klan and hunts them down one-by-one.

A filming of a burlesque act in 1954 Harlem, complete with singers, baggy-pants comics and "exotic" dancers.

Soundie of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm featuring Anna Mae Winburn performing "She's Crazy with the Heat"

A farce comedy about two prizewinning cotton pickers from the South on their first trip to New York.