Murder on Lenox Avenue (1941) | Mamie Smith

[@izukubf]

I am 15 and I love going back and learning about history. Especially of my ancestors!💗 Much love from Chicago💕

[@Dee777i]

Your history start from Genesis to REVELATIONS in the bible

[@MrCrow42]

@@Dee777i nah u talking about the white man religion?

[@Penrose-wi6tx]

MrCrow42 Shut up

[@Penrose-wi6tx]

Dee Cee she’s talking about black history, classic black Hollywood

[@MrCrow42]

@@Penrose-wi6tx nah i dont have 2 shut up im sorry

[@TorrenceBrannon1960]

I love these films too, lots of style, class, decent stories, pride and dignity!

[@sandramorris420]

I’m gonna sit back relax,and enjoy this classic movie.I see Mamie Smith, and Sidney Easton.

[@matrox]

Who?

[@staceydupree8488]

I love love love this channel. Thank you for making it available. To see quality movies made with black people being showcased in all areas is a wonderful experience 💯💜👍🏽

[@akeldimis2979]

Just a 21 yr old, old soul that appreciates your channel.

[@meganmacomber521]

I recently found out my great grandfather, Ken Macomber, arranged the music for this movie and Sunday Sinners. Pretty cool ☺️

[@cindyrolle6476]

We lived in Harlem during the 1960s. It was wonderful. We saw every major Motown act that appeared at the Apollo. Cassius Clay lived at the Theresa Hotel. We lived at one time on 123rd and 110th streets. We were poor, but had no idea as young children we were. We didn’t understand that we lived in a segregated world back then.

[@teenatchie1313]

Same here reminds me of across 110th street

[@DWhytePA]

Me too...grew up on 138th off Lenox Avenue...sweet fond memories of the Apollo Theather...awww memories...

[@lawrencecrawford4148]

Cindy Rolle wow and tomorrow is his bday cc!!! You were rich in spirit

[@BlackPlightPeople]

That was obvious that we lived in a segregated country. Hello “Slavery”

[@CLDBEATZ]

I love these types of movies. It's like I'm a old spirit in a young person body. Thanks for uploading these. I request a 1929 film called Hallelujah. Keep up the good work. 👊🔥🔥🔥

[@reelblack]

Unfortunately, Warner’s own it. You can rent it on Amazon.

[@CLDBEATZ]

Ok cool. Appreciate it. I'll check it out.

[@surprisearoundthecorner7491]

I'm so proud and happy to be living in HARLEM NYC. So much HISTORY, ESPECIALLY on lennox Avenue. HARLEM ROCKS

[@WithloveTrinize]

We'll as a proud Harlemite...I regret to inform you that they have wiped that history right on out...Harlem is just an extension of 59th st now...SMH, I don't know how long you've been there but what you see now is not Harlem...It's called SoHa now! smh...It'll never be the same.

[@surprisearoundthecorner7491]

@@WithloveTrinizeexactly, Harlem isnt like it used to be , too much change and a damn COFFEE shop on every corner . Its sad

[@laylahalgharib1892]

@Ingrid Towns time to return to our real home... MOTHER AFRICA

[@DWhytePA]

I grew up in Harlem during the 1960's and left in 1999 before it was taken over. Too bad. I have many fond memories growing up on 138th Street between Lenox and 5th but alas, I can't afford to live there ever again. Too bad.

[@theclasmalls4406]

@@WithloveTrinize Harlem has lost the aura it use to have this was one thing that belonged to us unfortunately gentrification changed that.

[@edmadrid1776]

In 1987, Lenox Ave was renamed, or co-named, Malcolm X Blvd.

[@nycsongman9758]

Salute, reelblack: Thank you, for this fascinating glimpse back into this strange, exotic, yet often familiar world of our ancestors. Even though this flick proves that there’s nothing new under the sun, it’s very interesting to see how we were portrayed then, and how differently we moved and acted during this time. This is a very precious historical document, and as somewhat of a historian of our US experience in the 20th century, I’m extremely grateful for your time and effort in bringing this great and wonderful window of our lives to us.

[@cmorestuff898]

NYC Songman: A Salute back at you. Thank you for your viewing support and kind comment. We appreciate it. Mike D, the founder and driving force of ReelBlack, works tirelessly to find images of historical interests and diverse artistic content for the channel. Our history ain't always pretty. But real knowledge is the result of accepting the bitter with the sweet. It's about context and full historical perspective. Peace and Blessings!!!

[@Kingofgrowers]

Raised around this culture but not actually a part of it , I totally agree these are amazing bits of our US history. As for "nothing new under the sun" , back about 15 years ago zI found film footage on youtube of a group of folks in front of a shanty watching break dancers. It was from the 20s or 30s ! So cool having youtube !

[@willx_1]

Harlem was once the Cultural Capital of Black America.

[@jenuwinmoore9258]

will x Yes sir, it was. YT done moved on in now...

[@jeanettesdaughter]

will x Harlem will ALWAYS hold that spot. Visit the Schomburg Library. See for yourself.

[@BlackPlightPeople]

Gentrifications all over the US where Black Culture once dominated

[@jamalgadson2541]

Until crack came

[@ritamcbee]

Back in HS I would go to Harlem every other weekend to sleepover with my best friend. 😁

[@garealemcgill6967]

The women are beautiful and natural wow how things done changed wish I could go back to this era

[@garealemcgill6967]

@@ahmedbelton8139 lol turned out in which way though hooked on dope mainly smack or women😂

[@ahmedbelton8139]

@@garealemcgill6967 All the above.

[@jeanettesdaughter]

Gareale McGill Er the women are all light skinned or brown skinned at best. The villain is always black and ugly. Good storytelling but the stereotypes and the color lines applied then as they do now. Keep it moving. Africans and people of African ancestry have internalized white supremacist ideas out of Europe and the transatlantic slave trade. That thinking and those values have to be eradicated for real and lasting change. Ask your children. Let’s see if they can pass that doll test in 2020. Carry on.

[@lolajoselin7134]

Black women suffered in that era!! Don't let a movie fool you!!! It was Jim crow!!! How could anyone black forget that?

[@pinklady6224]

@@jeanettesdaughter lol!

[@shacelw5720]

i'm a new sub.. i realize the appreciate you have for our black ppl around the world by the type of videos i have watch on your channel

[@reelblack]

Thanks for the love, Shacel. Blackatcha 👊🏿

[@sophiadavenport3959]

I love watching vintage films. 🎥

[@mdarrenu]

yes. they are just more soothing and relaxing to watch.

[@jaydee8866]

🖐🏾Watching from UK🙋🏾‍♀️

[@jaydee8866]

Can you show Carmen one day? One of my fav classic films of all times.

[@byronbenguche]

I remember back in the late 80 and early 90's BET used to Black Film Classics on Saturdays there was also a cable chsnnel in Chicago that also used to show these kind of black film classics that's inspired me to want to study film history at Columbia College thank you for this channel

[@albertdoughty4182]

I enjoyed this show. Thanks family for this..

[@reelblack]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@hassanburton669]

Str8 Out The Vault! May I Request Emperor Jones with Paul Robeson.. Thank You 🙏🏿

[@jamesthomas83381]

I love all these black movies from the past when done by us with us

[@lolajoselin7134]

Don't forget back then we had paper sack clubs if darker than a paper bag ya can't come in!!!

[@skyrobin4008]

When I see these old videos... it reminds me more of the colorism of the community. Especially, for women. They are barely brown... even in black and white film you can tell.

[@lawrencecrawford4148]

Sky Robin I was thinking the same

[@makedab4614]

I actually find it quite interesting for another reason as I watch lots of film noir and a lot of the mainstream actors and actresses were probably multiracial and passing as white because they share similar facial characteristics.

[@kimberlysmith8526]

One thing about it be it half breed..mulutto...bi-racial...white ppl still see us as all the same...if you get what im saying. Apartheid was worse!

[@MrRed-tf7bv]

@@kimberlysmith8526 Not really, l know white people who said to me , if they are light enough & pass the brown paper bag test, then they accept them. I.e. Megam Markle & Rashida Jones.

[@kimberlysmith8526]

@@MrRed-tf7bv may be the case with passing white with some, I know differently in my family. I educated myself quick on the matter considering race was NOT a priority in my beautiful, rainbow of blackness in my family😙😊

[@Ravens____8LJ]

The videos are appreciated ReelBlk one.

[@keithcrowder7768]

Such talented black Americans. I love watching these old movie dramas. Those folks help pave the way for some of our great black actors today.

[@lenevee4925]

Good movie. I was waiting to see the guy with the shoulder affliction straighten up.

[@Newworld-gk6us]

78 year old movie. Wow times where different back them.

[@shototodoroki4816]

yea no implants and online dating crap

[@aarondigby5054]

@@shototodoroki4816 no cell phones, computers, etc ...

[@tmajec]

No tattoos and unintelligible mumble.

[@marycraft3306]

Loved it❤ Thanks🎉

[@dr.emanibanks]

Thank you for that blessing! So relevant in various ways!!!

[@Newworld-gk6us]

My grandfather was 22 years old when this movie came out.

[@sandramorris420]

Also starring the fabulous Edna Mae Harris!

[@JACKIELVSGOD]

Enjoying your channel!!!

[@coosettem2045]

Mamie Smith (1883-1946) was the first African-American female performer to make a vocal blues recording in 1920 with "Crazy Blues". The song was written by Perry Bradford and it was recorded on August 10, 1920, by Mamie Smith and Her Jazz Hounds. Love her talents & singing, wow! Perry Bradford - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Perry_Bradford Perry Bradford was an African-American composer, songwriter, and vaudeville performer. Perry Bradford - Red Hot Jazz www.redhotjazz.com › bradford Perry Bradford was a singer, songwriter, pianist and vaudeville and minstrel performer who forever changed the sound of American popular music by convincing Okeh Records to release the first Blues record in 1920. Bradford was sure that there was a market for African-American music aimed at African-American consumers.

[@PatriciaRuthLewis]

Love this movie and the chicks look beautiful, no maid uniforms.

[@jackiewrightwaugh4334]

I like what they remind me of in past.

[@aarondigby5054]

@@jackiewrightwaugh4334 Hollywood dropped the ball on black film industry. They only wanted stereotypes.

[@kincamell2]

Much Gratitude, Always.

[@derekseven1647]

wMan, your channel is GREAT.

[@jonlee72]

Entertaining and very informative.

[@kennyblackbird5674]

Excellent👍

[@auntroachkiller6086]

The women back then dressed classy 👠not trashy👟

[@davidval7188]

Style beautiful Grace dignity warmth love understaning patience... man those women had it all

[@willx_1]

No cleavage and skirts down to their knees.

[@pesha600]

Oh my goodness. thought I was the only one that thought so. I tell you women where I live only were those hideous leggings and t shirts. You never ever see dresses any more. They go out looking like they are about to scrub the floor or something. I just do not get the psychology. No class any more.

[@auntroachkiller6086]

@@pesha600 I hate to see women come to the corner store in pajama bottoms and slippers.

[@lawrencecrawford4148]

Wow how time has changed , no internet, just happy times As a human

[@FCOLAXCDG]

pure #opulence !!! Thankyou ❤🇱🇨

[@BenitaDay-t8d]

My Hometown 4Life. I take pride born & breed in HARLEM❤

[@tylerhinton4120]

Interesting performances. Maybe you should include the names of the actors or director in the description?

[@angelapowell9030]

I love the movies....so sad that colorism was the norm, but pleae continue to send more movies....

[@leomartin1603]

People be like..."WATCH WHAT YOU SAY," but I'm like... "IM LIKE, I CANT "SEE"THE WORDS"!

[@coosettem2045]

A Harlem business leader tries to bring peace and prosperity to his community, while a jealous enemy plots his revenge. Initial release: 1941 Director: Arthur Dreifuss Music composed by: Donald Heywood Producer: Arthur Dreifuss Cast: Alec Lovejoy, Mamie Smith, Augustus Smith, MORE Screenplay: Frank H. Wilson, Vincent Valentini, Bryna Ivens

[@matrox]

Funny how they hired semi white women to play black women.

[@hollywoodjaded]

Are you familiar with Karine Alourde’s YT channel? She delves into this topic. African-American actresses such as Francine Everett, Freddi Washington and Sheila Guyse (circa 1930s-1950s) refused to pass-they were pressured strongly by the major studios. Ms. Washington, for example, was very involved early on in the Civil Rights movement. All talented actresses (some also singers), starred in what were termed at the time as Race Films. Owing to their refusal to pass as actresses in standard Golden Age Hollywood Studio films, or conversely play stereotypical roles of maids, cooks, poor girls in desperate circumstances, instead these talented Black artists took roles in films in African-American productions, with primarily entirely Black casts.

[@shototodoroki4816]

back then a man was ,a "man" anda a woman was a ", woman" now we dont know who .is who....or who is both

[@stephenhensley5631]

Now it's Bitch or Nigga.

[@aarondigby5054]

You gotta look at their Adam's apple, big toe, armpits, see if hair growing out their ears etc,...smdh

[@aarondigby5054]

A bunch of bat wanging she male he shes.

[@locqfortune5652]

This is Crazy Good

[@davidval7188]

What a treasure. I love Black PEOPLE. Especially ADOS

[@BlackPlightPeople]

Are you ADOS: Native Black American

[@davidval7188]

@@BlackPlightPeople No but I think every group owes FBA ( Foundational Black Amwricans ) or NBA ( Native Black Americans) orADOS( AMERICAN DESCENDANTS OF SLAVERY) ....every group including So caled Native Americans owes them every thing this county has to offer. This because ADOS AS A GROUP WAS USED TO ENRICH EVERY OTHRR GROUP AND BUILD TGE WEATLTH OF THIS COUNTRY. .. NOT TO MENTION ALL THE CULTURAL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BT ADOS.

[@Mark-yb1sp]

Did the women back then have such light skin and straight hair or is this just Hollywood?

[@casper12365]

Oh...that's just Hollywood, and it's still happening today....Just not so much. Back then the dark skinned female was kept underwraps and out of sight..

[@pesha600]

@@casper12365 No different than the music videos today..

[@pesha600]

Don't forget miscegenation has always been around. And that hair was often fried into submission! .

[@pesha600]

Some of those ladies did look Latino though.

[@keenafromphilly]

Remember this is the day of the Code, and also the 1 droo rule some were mixed. But we ALL BLACK OUT HERE; WE ALL GOT THE SAME STRUGGLE OF OPPRESSION AND PERSECUTION

[@jaenboston2683]

It's not funny but prior to integration, blacks up north lived well. Their mores were similar to caucasians and we're well adapted in their own society. They had movies, entertainment, businesses and strong family ties. Men actually courted women. Totally opposite from today.

[@jennypockets]

Good film, should've been longer cos it looks like there are a few gaps in the story, especially at the end.

[@isaacpowell1408]

What happened to us🤔

[@tjtj6540]

@Sanuk Jang Lery it's definitely way more than that

[@BlackPlightPeople]

Sanuk Jang Blacks have never been included ECONOMICALLY “Dr Martin Luther King Jr” said this

[@jasminevirgo9811]

This bartender is hella funny.😄😄😄😄😄😄

[@wizardoffrobozz]

@reelblack, might find this interesting. Lenox Ave in Harlem is now Malcolm X Ave.

[@matrox]

15:00 he's mimicking a lot of comediene Burt William's mannerism and mimes in this bartending skit.😁

[@cute4real846]

Dying scene at the end was the best!

[@wilsondassumpcao2089]

Mamie Smith died just 5 years after this movie was mad at the tender age of 55.(1891-1946)

[@aarondigby5054]

Mamie Smith is of my great grandmother's generation born in the 1890's, I was blessed to live the first 22 years of my life with her.

[@euricwadsworthsr601]

This movie is beautiful and better then the bullshit movies we watching NOW !!!!2021.

[@ahmad.tillery.1987]

You shouldn't have to learn to love someone love shouldn't be forced.

[@Beetwate305]

1:22 She was dropping Bars!!!!!

[@matrox]

4:50 yep he meant no harm yet he just tried to kill him.

[@hellokitty2397]

I’d really like a handsome man who dresses nice

[@bromisovalum8417]

Corny as it may be, I prefer watching this much more than all the filth they spew out nowadays. At least back then they still had standards of decency.

[@mochawitch]

The Ancestors be praised❤️

[@jeanettesdaughter]

The more things change, the more things remain the same. Still fighting for the future of the race in Harlem and elsewhere against the same elements, some external but more internal.

[@j.s1805]

wow, in mono!

[@gwattsrealestate]

This Movie put a spin Like a Top "USA Style" on the Marcus Garvey Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League, A Reckless and unabated Foolishnes back story line.

[@carolynburwell3712]

Very classy and clean,dont marry any one you dont love?

[@jtminor1620]

MY BOY SKIP LIVES THERE

[@jbp6994]

👐🏽, Heard / read that Harlem/ Lenox area, visited many yrs ao, has been gentrified like many if not all inner cities, that use to primarily be inhabited by a Select Carbon Melanin Dominant Peoples aka American Black Folks. For those who have presently there for more than 5+yrs, is this true or not????

[@teenatchie1313]

Same thing with state Street in chi-town moved the black folks out built condos for the Whyte faces gentrifing that area cause it 15 minutes from the loop & the lakefront black folks ain't giving it up tho no matter how many Whyte move in we still go back to our roots

[@teenatchie1313]

Alotta us have homes there & business & we not giving up either one no matter how much money they offer

[@jaydee8866]

@@teenatchie1313 i am glad to hear that my sis. If you are to create generational wealth some things are just not for sale. Its like in London UK many blacks who owned property are regretting their decision to sell. Areas once considered a ghetto, e.g Brixton, Peckham in the south Shepherds Bush in the West Shoreditch in the East and Islington in the North are now becoming gentrified and properties are sold for millions.

[@teenatchie1313]

@@jaydee8866 yes thanks

[@theclasmalls4406]

Yup gentrification is Alive and Well in Harlem white folks walk around like they own it now.

[@rigomortisfxstudios]

i would love to get a blue ray of this

[@kelvinhopkins3000]

Nice

[@wilsondassumpcao2089]

I am glad I found this movie, it's a shame that Hollywoond had to rely on stereotypes to portrait blacks back then, all I see is a set of good actors and actresses that happen to be blacks!!

[@sjohnson2329]

Harlem will A L W A Y S be the center of Black culture, in this world!

[@Themaddprof]

I used to watch such films in the 80s on BET's "Black Classics." My parents watched some of them in their youth and I was able to share a few such moments with them when they were alive. But the acting in this one is REALLY bad, even for this genre.

[@denisedean2446]

I love this. Seeing Blacks in Harlem living in flourishing communities was remarkable.

[@percybrodhead6905]

Is the sound turned off?

[@thenarcissistdash5654]

Wonder what Malcolm little was doing 🤔🤔

[@akeldimis2979]

Probably roaming the streets of Harlem with red fox. I thought I was the only person who thought like that. What certain people were doing when I watch throwbacks.

[@thenarcissistdash5654]

Akel Dimis I know right it’s interesting kind of going back like a Time Machine, visual when he’s living at that time As they record the streets I’m thinking to myself I might see him 😀

[@akeldimis2979]

@@thenarcissistdash5654 Very interesting indeed. I wish I knew exactly what he was doing but Google says he was still living in Boston with his older half-sister Ella, that's where he was introduced to crime. He moved to Harlem in 1943 where he became a waiter .

[@thenarcissistdash5654]

Akel Dimis oh ok that’s wusup

[@cryptico985]

Minister Malcolm X was 16 in 1941.

[@auntroachkiller6086]

BROWN BOMBER? A drink named after Joe Louis?

[@SadeWithTheReceipts]

FIRST HERE 👋🏽

[@Blakpepa]

Ok it's clear that the non busy body black women in this movie are all actually latina or straight white!

[@BlackPlightPeople]

Latinos consider themselves white

[@aarondigby5054]

@@BlackPlightPeople Latinos think their yte folks.

[@patriciaodom1448]

Great movie and beautiful women

[@pinklady6224]

My mother looked a lot like these little pretty women in this movie.

[@karajones4638]

Where r all the rappers and singers actors atheletes while genderfication is taking place in Harlem where Diddy he says hes from Harlem cant he do something?

[@aarondigby5054]

Them rapping niggas ain't gonna do shytt but sellout and shoot each other up over chains, sneakers and wretched baby mamas. . All the riches they've earned in Harlem you'd think they'd invest their lives init.

[@MzThang-if5lq]

Poor ending

[@ndo6461]

11:58. 44:25

[@leomartin1603]

The girls are sleeping with the band on the low.

[@michaelbell8230]

46:40 Now he's drunk!

[@jewel8748]

Stupid film, stereotypical!!!! Darker shades acting stupid, lighter shades "acting" more sophisticated, shameful what Black people had to go through!

[@marcus2711]

Apparently every one watching this is broke and susceptible to get rich schemes 😐

[@frankwilliams6131]

Yes mainly light skinned sister's funny still in many ways very much today

[@mickeybitsko1676]

As a USC film grad I can absolutely say that this is absolutely suboptimal trash

[@aarondigby5054]

Produce a film better mickey fickey, you sound like rhetorical yte privilege, nothings more ridiculous than the silly cowboy movies.

[@mickeybitsko1676]

@@aarondigby5054 she is a lovely lady and my apologies to her

[@rogercobbs4297]

Down beat, jive can you dig it i thought that was 60s and 70s slang not 40s

[@hollywoodjaded]

It’s jazz-speak.

[@aarondigby5054]

@@hollywoodjaded they talked cool jive like that in the '40's.

[@hollywoodjaded]

Although the word “jive” first appeared in dictionary form in 1928, it didn’t take hold as the definition we know today until bandleader extraordinaire Cab Calloway popularized the early 1930s jive dance-among jazz-era African-Americans, where it swept the community as one of the most well-known and long-lived dance forms. Certainly by the 1940s, jive, itself, had spread throughout the jazz musician community. To wit: Bing Crosby, owed his career to the African-American jazz jvin’ artists. One only has to watch the 1956 film “High Society”, to see Crosby and Louis Armstrong steal the flick with their rendition of “Now You Has Jazz”. Returning to Cab Calloway, he was a force: Not only a bandleader, but also a skilled dancer and singer; also smooth, handsome and debonair. Excuse my effusiveness, but I learned to tap dance to Calloway’s music many decades later.

[@hollywoodjaded]

@@aarondigby5054 Absolutely yes!

[@deborahleone4351]

NO SOUND..?!?!pity......

[@reelblack]

There’s definitely sound.

[@TYKAIdesigner]

56:31 AGGIE PRIDE ;-)

[@jerryjordan4533]

Beautiful black people especially the black wemon...What happened?

[@techiediva2011]

We are still beautiful! Open your eyes.

[@Boomboomroomish]

These women weren't Black. Open your eyes!!

[@Imissyoulou]

@@Boomboomroomish They were high yellow. Most of them were mixed. You can see that.

[@patriciawilliiams4089]

It is something to think about mercy

[@aarondigby5054]

@@Boomboomroomish a lot of them were white or wearing skin lightner makeup

[@terrancedixon5725]

They are sweating to much

[@Lordsincere1]

Out of the way Bum! 😂

[@TheWriterWalker]

Jim is oily.

[@kennethhickmanjr.facebookm8900]

❤❤