Duke Ellington: The Classic Hollywood Years (DVD)

This DVD compiles different short and medium-length films starring the Great Duke Ellington & his Orchestra. First the Duke debut in the short "Black and Tan" (1929) in which he leads his big band, plays a duet with Arthur Whetsol, and speaks a few lines. Dancer Fredi Washington is the star of the 19-minute film & 9-minute film short. "A Bundle of Blues" highlighted by a lengthy rendition of "Stormy Weather" that starred Ivie Anderson. But the most impressive of their film appearances from this period was "Sympathy in Black: A Rhapsody of Negro Life" which in 9 minutes depicts 4 aspects of 1930s African-American Life: "The Laborers, A Trianged, A Hymn of Sorrow, & Harlem Rhythm. Included are also assorted different musical sequences from other motions pictures: "The Amos N' Andy, Check & Double Cheek. Making the first black big band with a credited appearance in a shite feature film (with a full-length verson of "Old Man Blues"). The 3 scenes starring Mae West in "Belle of the Nineties" & the 2 appearances of the Ellington's Orchestra in the legendary "Cabin in the Sky."