Beware


55m 1946

Brief Synopsis

Ware College is a small Black college in Ware, Ohio. Once prominent, it is now low in attendance, low in enrollment and low on money; and at a meeting with instructors Drury and Annabelle Brown, Dean Hargreaves reveals that CEO Benjamin Ware III, grandson of the college's founder, claims the estate of his late grandfather is now also destitute, which they believe is untrue and a result of Annabelle's having spurned his affections. They decide...

Film Details

Genre
Musical
Release Date
Jul 1946
Premiere Information
New York premiere: 14 Jun 1946
Production Company
Astor Pictures Corp.
Distribution Company
Astor Pictures Corp.
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Duration
55m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
4,978ft

Synopsis

Ware College, a prestigious black university in Ohio founded by Benjamin Ware in 1867, is on the brink of financial collapse following a decision by Benjamin Ware, III, the greedy grandson of the late founder, to cut off the school's revenues. In a meeting, Dean Hargraves, Professor Drury and Annabelle Brown, a former student who is now a physical education instructor, agree that the young Ware has a complete disregard for the welfare of the school. Although Hargraves and Drury remind Annabelle that Ware may acting out of revenge for her refusal to marry him when they were classmates, neither blames her for the current troubles they face. Instead, they devise a plan to raise money for the school by holding a reception for graduates of the college to solicit them for donations. While poring over the roster of former students, Hargraves and Drury come across the name of Lucius Brokenshire Jordan, a student they both thought would surely not amount to anything. They also recall that Lucius was smitten with Annabelle and that the jealous Benjamin drove him out of town. Unknown to Hargraves and Drury, Lucius has become an American jazz sensation and is presently on a concert tour across the country. By coincidence, Lucius' train is delayed at Ware College, and he arrives at the school just as the reception gets underway. While the former students pour in from all over the country, Lucius and his band play music for them in one of the classrooms. The festive mood is soon broken, however, when Ware declares that their revenue-raising scheme is against the school rules. Ware then fires Hargraves and tries to blackmail Annabelle into marrying him. When Lucius learns of the situation, he quickly works to reverse the school's misfortune by holding a benefit concert. Lucius succeeds in raising the money needed to keep the school open and does so in time to prevent Annabelle's marriage to Ware. Lucius also exposes Ware's scheme to defraud the school of its rightful funds. Lucius leads the school in a musical celebration and then leaves town with Annabelle at his side.

Film Details

Genre
Musical
Release Date
Jul 1946
Premiere Information
New York premiere: 14 Jun 1946
Production Company
Astor Pictures Corp.
Distribution Company
Astor Pictures Corp.
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Duration
55m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
4,978ft

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

Although the viewed print of this film contained a copyright statement for Astor Pictures, Inc., no record of such a copyright has been found. This film marked Louis Jordan's first starring role in a feature film. The film's credit titles include Claude Demetrius and Louis Jordan as composers. The Variety review lists the following additional credits for music and lyrics: Lucky Millinder and Jerry Black. According to modern sources, women protested Louis Jordan's title song, "Beware, Brother, Beware," because of its sexist lyrics. Jordan offered an apology to women in the title song of his next film, Lookout Sister (see below).

Miscellaneous Notes

Released in United States 1946

Released in United States 1946