Harlem Follies
Cast & Crew
Hugh Prince
"chicago" Carl Davis
"manhattan" Paul
Max Granville
Ruth Mason
"fats" Noel
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
While rehearsing a musical number for his nightclub variety show, stage director Max Granville tells his dancers to "smile from the knees up" so that they are sure to impress "Manhattan" Paul, a backer who may finance the show. Desperate to get money for the show from Manhattan, Maxie urges his fiancée, singer Ruth Mason, to use her charms to help the deal along. Ruth objects to the set-up, as does her cousin, "Chicago" Carl Davis, who wants Maxie to reconsider putting Ruth in a costume that is a "skin-tight eye opener." After reassuring Chicago that Ruth is in no danger, Maxie tells the bartender, "Fats" Noel, to bring out his best champagne for Manhattan. Things look bad for Maxie as his money runs out and he finds himself unable to pay his bills. With only a short time left before the power is scheduled to be shut off at the club, Maxie begins a demonstration of his show for Manhattan. The performances dazzle the producer, and when he agrees to finance the show, Maxie realizes that his troubles are over.
Director
Hugh Prince
Cast
"chicago" Carl Davis
"manhattan" Paul
Max Granville
Ruth Mason
"fats" Noel
Clark Monroe
The Hip Paraders
Princess R'wanda
Monique
Audrey Armstrong
Chicky Grimes
Los Avasiago
"shootsie" Keith
Crew
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The above credits and summary were taken from a viewed print, which was 40 minutes in length, and a dialogue continuity deposited with the NYSA. Although no release date was found for the film, it was first submitted to the New York Censor Board sometime in 1949 and was approved with eliminations. The film's length in 1949 was listed at 4,425 feet, which would have been 49 minutes. On May 23, 1950, the film was rescreened by the Censor Board and additional eliminations were requested. According to correspondence included in the NYSA files, New York censors demanded cuts in the film because of "indecent" dance footage. The film was listed at 3,838 feet (or 43 minutes) at that time. However, on June 12, 1950, Classic Pictures requested that the Censor Board allow ten minutes of new footage to be added, and when the film was copyrighted in 1955, the running time was listed as 53 minutes. The film was resubmitted to the Censor Board several times during the 1950s, and additional eliminations were demanded with each submission.
