Object Details
Directed by
Spencer Williams, American, 1893-1969
Written by
True T. Thompson, American, 1896 - 1973
Produced by
Alfred N. Sack, American, 1898 - 1969
Inez Newell
Distributed by
Sack Amusement Enterprises, American, 1920 - 1979
Subject of
July Jones, American
Spencer Williams, American, 1893-1969
Inez Newell
Leonard Duncan
Dauphine Moore
Melody Duncan
Katherine Moore
Tilford Patterson
Albert Smith
Howard Galloway
Clifford Beamon
Frances McHugh
Don Gilbert
Description
A 16mm release print of the feature film Juke Joint. It consists of two reels of positive, black-and-white, 16mm acetate film with variable-area optical sound.
It opens as the protagonists Bad News Johnson (Spencer Williams) and July Jones (also known as “Cornbread Green” in the film) deboard an automobile in Dallas, Texas. Both men thank their driver and after the vehicle pulls away Johnson tells Jones, “Well, here we are. Mr. Jones, you are now in the great South West.” In response to one of Jones’ question about where they will be headed next, Johnson states “Mr. Jones, we are following the advice of Horace Greeley. Mr. Greely said, ‘go west young man, and do your best; then come east and spend your grease.’” Jones later reminds Johnson that they only have twenty-five cents with them.
The rest of the film chronicles how the two men pass themselves off as beauty pageant coaches in exchange for free room and board in the home of Mrs. Louella "Mama Lou" Holiday (Inez Newell). The final scene takes place in a juke joint were Mama Lou discovers her daughters celebrating winning the pageant.
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Randall and Sam Nieman
Date
1947
Object number
2015.167.10.1ab
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown - Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Type
sound films
black-and-white films (visual works)
release prints (motion pictures)
feature films
16mm (photographic film size)
Medium
acetate film
Dimensions
Duration: 68 Minutes
Length (Film Reel 1): 1175 Feet
Length (Film Reel 2): 1175 Feet
Place filmed
Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, United States, North and Central America
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, United States, North and Central America
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Time-based Media - Moving Images
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Topic
African American
American South
Comedy
Domestic life
Film
Race films
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmaahc_2015.167.10.1ab