Swing!

SWING! is an important film because it's one of the remaining Black-produced and acted films from the 1930s. Many of these films have simply deteriorated so badly that they are unwatchable, but this one is in fairly good shape. It's also a nice chance to see many of the talented Black performers of the period just after the heyday of the old Cotton Club--a time all but forgotten today.

Unfortunately, while the film is historically important and has some lovely performances, it's also a mess. The main plot is very similar to the Hollywood musicals of the era--including a prima donna who is going to ruin the show and the surprise unknown who appears from no where to save the day. However, the writing is just god-awful and a bit trashy at times--and projects images of Black America that some might find a bit demeaning. This is because before the plot really gets going, you are treated to a no-account bum who lives off his hard working wife (a popular stereotype of the time) and when he is caught with a hussy (who, by the way, totally overplays this role), they have a fight which looks like a scene from WWE Smackdown! And, the one lady wants to cut the other lady with a straight razor--a trashy scene indeed! Later in the film, when the prima donna is behaving abominably, her husband punches her in the face and everyone applauds him! It seems like the film, at times, wants to appeal to the lowest common denominator in the audience PLUS they can't even do this well--with some of the worst acting I've seen in a very long time.

Still, if you can look past a lousy production in just about every way (with trashy characters, bad acting and direction and poor writing), this one might be worth a peek so you can see excellent singing and tap dancing--as well as to catch a glimpse of forgotten Black culture. Just don't say I didn't warn you about the acting--it's really, really bad!

It is a terrible movie but it is also fascinating. A piece of history is captured on film. Some of the musical scenes are powerful and there are money of them. The acting and the writing are subpar but they work; I wasn't bored for a second. This is like a black 42nd street. Incredible in the black stereotypes that abound and are just simply accepted. What was it about the black women of this era always getting involved with men who took their money and screwed around; that theme seems to haunt us even to this day. It seems that white women are more willing to dump them quickly or am I just imagining.

Amazing for being a low budget production with great music and dance numbers. An interesting plot with fairly good acting. Definitely worth a watch.

Swing! (1938)

** (out of 4)

Oscar Micheaux directed film about an abused maid (Cora Green) who catches her wannabe pimp boyfriend cheating on her so she runs off to Harlem. Once in Harlem she gets a job in an off Broadway production for a producer who hopes to get the first black production on Broadway. This story certainly isn't original and there's not much flair but the film remains slightly entertaining throughout due to some good direction and some great jazz numbers. The performances are average for the most part but Green is good enough not too drag the film down. There's one scene where a woman, drunk of course, falls down some steps and breaks her leg, which gets a huge laughs, which was certainly unintentional.

There are previous reviews on this board that give details about the content and subject matter of this film; as well as their low-rating, critical opinions and disparaging comments about how bad this particular film is. That being said...I am not going to waste time repeating what this film is about. What I will do....is defend Mr. Oscar Micheaux, this film and all others in his discography!

As an African-American, I commend Mr. Oscar Micheaux, for battling against the behemoth of blatant racism in Hollywood and society at large, during that time to make these "black pearls" featuring all black casts....for the black populace! I also commend those white factions that supported the pursuit of his craft with their financial assistance. The plots, acting, etc., may not be pristine, and in quite a few instances they are bad...but I don't care...because they are here and they exist! If I started a list of 'acceptable' Hollywood fare and how bad they were and continue to be even to this day.....the list would take up every available space on this board! Thank you Mr. Oscar Micheaux, for leaving "us" a legacy no one else could or wanted to do...and thank you IMDb for documenting background and dialogue on his films.