A Lady with Fans

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.

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.

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

When an agricultural professor returns home to the farm with her scientifically-raised mule for a needed rest, they find themselves caught up in a movie being filmed in the Ozarks.

After witnessing the killing of a professor in concentration camp "Dachau" German student Paul emigrates to the USA. Here an American fellow student endangers Paul's new American existence and his family's which stayed in Germany.

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.

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

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.

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

Mel Tormé and the Mel-Tones sing the title song in this 1945 Soundie (a short film produced to be played on jukebox-like Panoram machines).

Duke Ellington and Orchestra perform 'C Jam Blues'.

Bandleader/singer/songwriter Ted Barry arrives to heaven. The receptionist tells him that before he can take his place in the Hall of Music, a committee must review his work and decide whether he is worthy of admittance.

A group of African American cowboys sing the title track.

A Soundie featuring Hoagy Carmichael and Mi Chee.

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.

Louis Armstrong performs with Nicodemus on this Soundie from 1942.