Movies For the Blind

When he’s not singing or cooking, Canadian Sergeant Renfrew (James Newill) sets out to apprehend a gang of counterfeiters involved in the murder of a fellow Mountie. 1937. Part 1 of 2.

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Original movie from Internet Archive
Movies info from IMDB
The RCMP in pop culture @ Wikipedia
Due South @ TVTropes
James Newill @ The Old Corral

After meeting Jack Hylton’s band, Arthur and Stinker decide to go back to the castle, and find things there that will inspire them to make broadcasting history…and help in the war effort? Part 2 of 2.

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Timeline of British Television History @Wikipedia
The BBC Story
History of BBC Radio @Wikipedia

Based on their hit radio show, Arthur Askey and Richard Murdoch are thrown out of their squat atop BBC headquarters and soon find themselves owning a spooky castle in the country. 1940. Part 1 of 2.

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Original movie from Internet Archive
Movie info from IMDB
The Band Waggon Show Guide
A clip from the radio show @YouTube
Official Jack Hylton Website

Benjamin Ware III will not budge on keeping the college alive, so Louis (Louis Jordan) gets ideas to battle him onstage and on the balance sheet. Part 2 of 2.

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Soundies @Wikipedia
Soundie of “Caldonia” by Louis Jordan (@YouTube)
Soundie of “Let the Good Times Roll” (@YouTube)
Louis Jordan @Perfect Sound Forever

Starring as himself, Louis Jordan and his band find their train delayed in a small Ohio town which just happens to have a college Jordan attended long ago – a college which may close soon due to a loss in funding. 1946. Part 1 of 2.

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Original movie from Internet Archive
Movie info from IMDB
LouisJordan.com
Louis Jordan @Wikipedia
Louis Jordan @Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The new club is off and running, but sister and brother are plagued by romantic troubles: Judy with bandleader Spike, Johnny with a snobby heiress. Part 2 of 2.

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Sheldon Leonard @Museum of Broadcast Communications
Sheldon Leonard @Wikipedia

In this fictionalized account of the start of the famous Hollywood nightclub, a brother and sister try to navigate changing tastes in music to carry out the ambitions of their beloved adoptive father. 1944. Part 1 of 2.

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Original movie from Internet Archive
Movie info from IMDB
The real Trocadero @Wikipedia
The Parisian Trocadero @Wikipedia
Other places called “Trocadero”

As Joe (Paul Robeson) considers when to return Gerald, Spike may force his hand and cheat everyone out of the money.

(If it’s before midnight July 21st Toronto time, leave a comment here about which movie cowboy is featured next week: John Wayne or Roy Rogers! You can also post your vote at the MFTB Facebook page!)

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Big Fella @BFI Screenonline
Paul Robeson: “The artist must elect to fight for freedom or slavery” @links.org.au
Eslanda Goode Robeson @Wikipedia

Paul Robeson stars as a good-hearted dock worker in Marseilles, France who’s asked to help police find a missing English boy. But when he does find him, it may be more trouble than he’s worth. 1937.

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Original movie from Internet Archive
Movie info from IMDB
Paul Robeson @Wikipedia
The Paul Robeson Foundation
Paul Robeson singing “Ol’ Man River” in Show Boat @YouTube
Elisabeth Welch Obituary @The Independent newspaper

In Betonia, Tommy (George Wallace) takes his place on the throne with his mate Jim by his side. But when the conspirators threaten a coup, the new King straps on some roller skates to fight back.

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George Wallace @Wikipedia
George Wallace @Live Performance Australia Hall of Fame

In Australia, a poor man (George Wallace) finally gets a job in a theatre, but gets hit on the head and dreams he’s discovered as a long-lost prince. 1932.

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Original movie from Internet Archive
Movie info from IMDB
Film In Australia – Australia’s Culture Portal
Australian Films 1900-2007 @film.au.org
George Wallace @AustralianScreen

While Duke’s (Ralph Cooper) luck gets better with the medicine show, Ethel’s (Lena Horne) luck gets worse up North. Can he save her and work his musical magic in the big city?

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The Duke Is Tops @Wikipedia
Lena Horne @PBS American Masters

Lena Horne made her film debut in this “race movie” as a singer with a chance at the stardom, but only if her show producer boyfriend (Ralph Cooper) sacrifices their relationship. 1938.

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Original movie from Internet Archive
Movie info from IMDB
Tyler Perry on 60 Minutes
TIME Magazine’s 25 Most Important Films on Race
“Race Movie” @wikipedia
Ralph Cooper Obituary
The Apollo Amateur Night

Judy (Betty Hutton) gets Danny’s band an audition for The Stork Club, but it doesn’t help her prospects with the bandleader. Meanwhile, Pop (Barry Fitzgerald) has his own love troubles when his wife finds him living with Judy. (Part 3 of 3)

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