MUSIC HATH HARMS (1929) Spencer Williams, Roberta Hyson & Harry Tracy | Music, Short|B&W|Retro Movie

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Music Hath Harms is an American film released in 1929. A two-reel short it was produced by Al Christie. The film stars Spencer Williams and Roberta Hyson with musical performances by Curtis Mosby and the Blues Blowers. It was part of the Florian Slappey series. The story features a con man promising to wow an audience with a musical performance. The film remains in existence and is available online.

The film series, based on Octavus Roy Cohen's Darktown Birmingham stories published in the Saturday Evening Post include racial caricatures and exaggerated dialect. The film is one of three that survive from the series produced by Al Christie and is among the early "talkie" (with sound) films featuring African American casts. The other surviving films from the series are Framing of the Shrew and Oft in the Silly Night. Williams also served as the assistant director on the film although he received no credits.

Synopsis:

In Harlem, Bud Peagler's "Barbecue Lunch and Poolroom" (the home of Brunswick Stew), also serves as the meeting place and hangout for many citizens and organizations such as 'The Sons and Daughters of The I Will Arise Society," and also Mosby's Blues Blowers. It is also where Roscoe Driggers hangs out. Roscoe claims to be the world's champion cornet player, although he can't play a note, even a sour one. But when the chance to earn $500 for playing his cornet at the big concert held by the "Over the River Burying Society" arises, Roscoe signs up. Roscoe needs $500 in order to buy a beauty shop for his manicurist-fiancée, Zenia Sprowl. Roscoe makes plans for his buddy Sam Ginn, who can play a cornet, to hide under the stage and play while Roscoe fakes it on the stage. But Sam gets taken out by some dudes who have a bone to pick with Roscoe. No sweat, though, as another of Roscoe's musician friends, Willie Trout, sees this and takes Sam's place under the stage....with his saxophone.

Cast & Crew:

Spencer Williams as Roscoe Griggers
Roberta Hyson as Zenia Sprowl
Harry Tracy as Florian Slappey
Nathan Curry as Prof. Aleck Champagne
Leon Hereford as Sam Ginn
Harry Porter as Willie Trout
Curtis Mosby as Orchestra Leader
Mosby's Blues Blowers as the Band

Directed by: Walter Graham
Screenplay by: Alfred A. Cohn
Story by: Octavus Roy Cohen
Produced by: Al Christie

Release Date: March 16, 1929 (United States)
Country: United States
Language: English