Hearts in Dixie (1929) starring Stepin Fetchit was one of the first (All-Talking) sound films, big-studio productions to boast a predominantly African-American cast. A musical, the film celebrates African-American music and dance. It was released by Fox Film Corporation just months before the release of Hallelujah!, another all-black musical by competitor Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The director of Hearts in Dixie was Paul Sloane. Walter Weems wrote the screenplay, and William Fox was producer.[1]
Synopsis
There is no overarching storyline. The film is a series of unconnected scenes celebrating the advent of sound technology in the context of "black music". Hearts in Dixie unfolds as a series of sketches of life among American blacks. Although the characters are not slaves they are nevertheless racial stereotypes in terms of the contemporary white images of the period.[2]
Cast
- Stepin Fetchit: Gummy
- Clarence Muse: Nappus
- Eugene Jackson: Chinquapin
- Bernice Pilot: Chloe
- Clifford Ingram: Rammey
- Mildred Washington: Trallia
- Zack Williams: Deacon
- Gertrude Howard: Emmy
- Dorothy Morrison: Melia
- Vivian Smith: Violet
- A.C.H. Bilbrew: Voodoo Woman
- Richard Carlyle: White Doctor
- The Billbrew Chorus
See also
References
- ^ Aberjhani & West, Sandra L. (2003). Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance, p. 151. Facts On File.
- ^ Pines, Jim (1975). Blacks in Films. Littlehampton Book Services Ltd. ISBN 978-0289703267.
External links