Tall, Tan and Terrific
Cast & Crew
Bud Pollard
Monty Hawley
Francine Everett
Dots Johnson
Rudy Toombs
Barbara Bradford
Film Details
Synopsis
Handsome Harry, owner of the Golden Slipper nightclub, loses $5,000 to crooked gambler Duke at a craps table, which raises his debt to Duke to $10,000. Duke intends to ruin Harry financially and take the Glass Slipper, which he calls the "best money-making spot in Harlem," away from him. When Duke makes his intentions known to Harry, Harry warns Duke that he would not stand a chance of succeeding, as all the best performers are under contract to him. Among Harry's big-name acts are comedian Mantan Moreland and the lovely singer T.T. & T. known as "Tall, Tan and Terrific," both of whom appear at the club later that night. During the show, Duke and his associate, Lefty Gomez, try to lure Tall, Tan and Terrific away from Harry and offer her a contract to sing in Chicago for $500 more than she makes working for Harry. She rejects the offer outright and tells Gomez and Duke that she will remain loyal to Harry because he gave her her big break in television. When Tall, Tan and Terrific tells Harry about Duke's offer, he reaches for his gun and vows revenge. The gun remains in Harry's possession for only a short time, though, as Lefty secretly removes it from him while he and Duke are engaged in a conversation. Harry returns to the craps table that night and, after replacing the loaded dice with real ones, wins back his losses. Soon after Harry leaves the craps table with his winnings, the lights go out and a shot rings out. Duke is killed in the darkened gambling hall, and newspaper headlines the next day report that the owner of the murder weapon is being sought as the prime suspect in the killing. The gun that was used to kill Duke, it turns out, is Harry's, and he is soon arrested and placed in jail. Devastated by the news of the murder, Tall, Tan and Terrific leaves town. When Mantan visits Harry at his cell, Harry insists that he is innocent and sends Mantan to get the money he won from Duke, which he hid in his desk drawer. Mantan follows Harry's instructions and goes to his office, where he is startled by an ugly autograph-seeker. While trying to get rid of the autograph-seeker, Mantan discovers that she has a picture of him seated at a table with Harry and Lefty, which was taken just as Lefty was sneaking the gun away from Harry. The picture provides clear evidence that Harry's gun was not in his possession at the time of the murder, and he is released from jail. Shortly thereafter, Lefty confesses to the killing and admits that the bullet, which was intended for Harry, hit Duke accidentally. Harry and his talented friends soon throw a grand reopening party at the Golden Slipper. The party is well underway when a surprise guest, Tall, Tan and Terrific, takes the stage and sings a song. After the song, she and Harry embrace, which prompts Mantan to kiss the ugly autograph-seeker.
Director
Bud Pollard
Cast
Monty Hawley
Francine Everett
Dots Johnson
Rudy Toombs
Barbara Bradford
Milton Woods
Mantan Moreland
Lou Swarz
Thelma Cordero
The Two Fat Men
The Gorgeous Astor Debutantes
All Girl Golden Slipper Band
Crew
Mickey Castle
Jack Etra
John E. Gordon
Le Roy S. Hodges
Ed. Kelly
Nels Mindlin
Bud Pollard
Bud Pollard
Eugene Roland
R. M. Savini
R. M. Savini
Art Selectman
Shirley Stone
Emile Vlasco
Film Details
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Although the viewed film contained a copyright statement, the title does not appear in the copyright register. No contemporary reviews were located for the film. Modern sources list "Johnny and George," Myra Johnson and Edna Mae Harris in the cast, but their appearance in the released film has not been confirmed.
