The Black Network

1936
20m

ÉVALUATION IMDb

7,3/10

183

MA NOTE

Musical Short

Ajouter une intrigue dans votre langueBrutus Johnson, owner of the Porter Pullman Shoe Polish Company, sponsors the Porter Pullman Shoe Polish Variety Program on the Black Network Broadcasting Co. Mezzanine Johnson, Brutus' cont... Tout lireBrutus Johnson, owner of the Porter Pullman Shoe Polish Company, sponsors the Porter Pullman Shoe Polish Variety Program on the Black Network Broadcasting Co. Mezzanine Johnson, Brutus' controlling wife, has her own views of what she would like to happen on the show, she who beli... Tout lireBrutus Johnson, owner of the Porter Pullman Shoe Polish Company, sponsors the Porter Pullman Shoe Polish Variety Program on the Black Network Broadcasting Co. Mezzanine Johnson, Brutus' controlling wife, has her own views of what she would like to happen on the show, she who believes has the right since it is her father who put up the money for the business. Mezzanine... Tout lire

Voir l’information sur la production à IMDbPro

ÉVALUATION IMDb

7,3/10

183

MA NOTE

Voir l’information sur la production à IMDbPro

Photos6

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Anecdotes
The film's title is a satirical reference to radio's National Broadcasting Company (NBC), which divided its programming between two networks, "The Red Network" and "The Blue Network."

Citations
Radio Announcer: What chu gonna play first?
The Washboard Serenaders: What we're gonna play my old nationality song. A little Russian number. Will you pardon my Yiddish accent.

Connexions
Featured in Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story (2002)

Bandes originales
Lucky Numbers
(uncredited)
Written by Cliff Hess
Played during the opening credits
Performed by The Nicholas Brothers during the radio show

Commentaires des utilisateurs8

Commentaire

Commentaire en vedette

7/10

Historically interesting...and occasionally very impressive.

This is one of the DVD extras included with "Hallelujah". And, like "Hallelujah", the films feature all-black casts. Considering that these films were made by mainstream Hollywood studios (MGM and Warner Brothers), seeing such films today might surprise audiences. They also serve as nice historical records of this bygone era.

This film is set at a fictional black-run radio station and consists of various musical acts of the day. Some are amazing and great when seen today--such as the Nicholas Brothers (tap dancers on a radio show?!) and Nina Mae McKinney (who also starred in "Hallelujah") and some are not so hot (like the opening number and one that was supposed to be bad--the sponsor's wife!). My favorite was the band's scat version of "Ochi Chornya (Dark Eyes)"--it really hummed and was better than other versions I've heard--speeding it up helped and the band was amazing.

So is this great viewing? Probably not for the average viewer. But for historical reasons or if you like 1930s music, this might be right up your alley.

By the way, you might find reading McKinney's biography on IMDb. It's incredibly sad but interesting as well when you read about how this talented lady was almost totally forgotten when she died a very early death.