Paradise in Harlem
- Synopsis
- Feature film. Set in 1930s Harlem, Lem Anderson (Frank Wilson) is a vaudeville actor who aspires to performing Shakespeare. One evening after a show he witnesses a notorious gangster’s murder. The gangster’s killers order Lem to leave town. He travels South to find more work on the stage but frightened and discouraged turns to drink and loses bookings. He eventually takes up an offer to move North and take the lead role in a church production of Othello - a black musical version. As soon as her returns to Harlem however he is recognised by the gangsters.
- Language
- English
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Film
- Technical information
- Black-and-white / Sound
- Year of release
- 1939
- Duration
- 85 mins
Credits
- Director
- Joseph Seiden
- Cinematographer
- Charles Levine; Don Malkames
- Writer
- Frank L. Wilson
- Screenplay
- Vincent Valentini
- Music
- Juanita Hall; Lucky Millinder
- Cast
Frank Wilson Lem Anderson (Othello) Francine Everett Desdemona Jones (Desdemona) Babe Matthews Laura Lou Edna Mae Harris Doll Davis Mamie Smith Madame Mamie Norman Astwood Rough Jackson
Additional Details
- Production type
- Operas and Musicals
- Plays
- Othello
- Keywords
- Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Amateur theatre; Black actors; Gangster films
Notes
- Notes
- Released on DVD 2007 by Alpha Home Entertainment.
- General
- Taglines were: The Sensational Inside Story of a Great Comedian Whose One Ambition Could Not Be Denied!! and Greatest Colored Cast Ever Assembled in One Picture.
The songs are performed by Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra, the gospel quartet The Alphabetical Four and the Juanita Hall Singers.
Production Company
- Name
Jubilee Pictures
Archive
- Name
Library of Congress, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division
- Web
- http://loc.gov/rr/record External site opens in new window
- Phone
- (202) 707-7833
- Address
- Recorded Sound Reference Centre
101 Independence Avenue, S.E.
Room LM-113
Washington, DC 20540
Online Retailer
- Name
amazon.com
- Web
- http://www.amazon.com External site opens in new window
How to cite this record
Shakespeare, "Paradise in Harlem". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av66989 (Accessed 13 Nov 2024)