Storyline Between swing numbers, Calloway finds time to flirt with the wife of a pullman porter, while her husband is away at work. Orchestra plays "Rail Rhythm" and "The Lady with the Fan."
Storyline This picture was produced primarily to showcase Duke Ellington and His Orchestra. The story deals with a dancer and her man who plays the piano in the orchestra of the show in which she is featured. Terribly ill, the brave dancer dances to her death at the finish of the picture, to the music of the song her sweetheart has written for her.
Storyline 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.