RetroVision Theater's Ebony Classics

RetroVision Theater Presents: Sepia Cinderella 1947

2011-10-12T15:39:00.001-07:00

This is a tale of a struggling young songwriter getting a break from the sudden success of a hit song, but can't handle his new found fame. Great performances by an all African American/Black cast. Enjoy the history, enjoy the music and share the fun.

The Loin Tamer 1943

2011-04-20T15:05:00.001-07:00

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The Lion Tamer is a 1934 animated short film produced by the Van Beuren Studios and directed by Vernon Stallings and starring Charles J. Correll and Freeman F. Gosden as the voices of their popular radio characters, Amos 'n' Andy. It was one of two such films made that year, the other being The Rasslin' Match. These two shorts and the 1930 live-action film Check and Double Check constitute the only visual representations of Amos 'n' Andy prior to the advent of network television.

Black Fist 1974 aka Bogard

2011-04-18T05:02:00.001-07:00

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Aka Bogard, this blaxploitation flick may leave a lot to be desired, but there is plenty of ass kicking going on to hold your interest. In this simple plot, a Los Angeles street-fighter goes to work for gangsters to make money.

Where's My Man To-nite 1943

2011-02-28T07:54:00.001-08:00

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Rodney (Hugo Martin) resists his grandfather's (George T. Sutton) attempts to push him into the military, but when he's drafted, he has to make a choice.

Jivin in Be-Bop 1946

2011-02-23T08:00:00.001-08:00

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For Black History Month, we step back into yesteryear to enjoy this sensational music and variety extravaganza. With Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Carter and Milt Jackson burning up the stage, even lames of today will feel the heat from the retro years.

Classic Black Movies: Juke Joint 1947

2011-02-18T03:46:00.001-08:00

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Two broke ass con men get involved in a small town beauty contest. Enjoy the laughs, the history and the experience with a friend.

RetroVision Theater Presents A Natural Born Gambler 1916

2010-11-30T06:49:00.001-08:00

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A lovable scoundrel is busted for gambling and thrown into jail, where he dreams of playing poker - but even in his dreams, he loses. This film was written, directed and stars Bert Williams.

RetroVision Media Presents Maxine Sullivan

2010-08-13T06:44:00.000-07:00

During our summer break, we thought we'd give you a preview of the classic programming we are preparing for the upcomming fall season. Here is Maxine Sullivan to soothe any ills you might have for a short spell. Enjoy!

Maxine Sullivan - Come Rain or Come Shine
Maxine Sullivan - Easy to Love
Maxine Sullivan - Loch Lomond
Maxine Sullivan - St. Louis Blues 1939
Maxine Sullivan - The Folks Who Live On The Hill
Maxine Sullivan - The Very Thought of You
Maxine Sullivan - When You're Lover Has Gone 1942
Maxine Sullivan - You Turned The Tables On Me

RetroVision Theater Presents Two Gun Man From Harlem

2010-06-30T08:50:00.001-07:00

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With an all African American cast, this is a tale of a cowboy being wrongfully accused of murder, He winding up up in Harlem, where he assumes the identity of a preacher-turned-gangster who looks like him. He hooks up with the gang to catch the men who framed him. The quality of this file could be better, but you'll find it quite watchable.

RetroVision Media Remembers An African American Classic

2010-05-10T12:53:00.000-07:00

RetroVision Theater Presents Ebony Classics 12

2010-02-19T06:20:00.001-08:00

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Out of the archives of history comes this fascinating introduction of one of America's sexiest icons, Dorothy Dandridge. In the trailer nearly lost to time, we also get a glimpse of a young and talented Harry Belafonte. Enjoy this and all the other Ebony Classics, as we continue our recognition of Black History Month.

RetroVision Theater Presents Ebony Classics 9

2010-02-18T06:42:00.001-08:00

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We didn't think we could celebrate Black History Month properly without a little Louie Armstrong. Check out the master of the horn with a nice jazzy assist from non other than the super slick Frank Sinatra.

RetroVision Theater Presents Ebony Classics 8

2010-02-17T08:42:00.001-08:00

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The smooth Sarah Vaughan takes the stage today for the continuing celebration of Black History Month here at RetroVision Theater. Click here to download the clip

RetroVision Theater Presents Ebony Classics 7

2010-02-16T05:51:00.001-08:00

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We have a special treat today to celebrate one of the best African American talents of entertainment this month. Diahann Carroll makes an appearance with a great performance on the Eddie Fisher show many moons ago. Enjoy this gem of Black History and feel free to share. Click here to download the file

RetroVision Theater Presents Ebony Classics 5

2010-02-15T05:13:00.001-08:00

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The Black History Month celebration rages on here at RVT's Ebony Classics with a musical short of the great Nate King Cole performing his classic Now You Tell Me.

RetroVision Theater Presents More Ebony Classics 6

2010-02-12T06:28:00.001-08:00

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Lucky Millinder, retro band leader extraordinaire, not generally know to the public as well as cool cats like Count Basie, Cab Calloway and The Duke, but this dude has it going on. Check this out

RetroVision Theater Presents Count Basie

2010-02-11T08:18:00.001-08:00

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The Count of Cool makes an a long awaited appearance here at RetroVision Theater. Thanks to some very clever folks here, this Black History Month has inspired the creation and launching of Ebony Classics. Click here to download The Count and stop by tomorrow for another dose of cool from our growing library of retro entertainment.

RetroVision Theater Presents Nipsey Russell and Mantan Morland

2010-02-10T06:48:00.001-08:00

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RetroVision theater's Ebony Classics continues the celebration of Black History Month with the comic genius of Nipsey Russell and Mantan Morland. This 1955 performance has found its way on to YouTube and elsewhere so we thought we help share the experience by giving history another look just for fun. CLick here to download the clip.

RetroVison Theater Presents All The Way Home

2010-02-10T06:42:00.001-08:00

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All the Way Home is a superb film about neighborhood racial integration from the 1950s. Addressing the fears, concerns, and tension about integration for white neighborhoods, the film treats these subjects with a surprising honesty. The elements of social ostracizing and traditionalist pressures are revealed for the painful and damaging forces they have always been. For example, the man who sells his home to a negro is punished by his neighbors who fear (rightly to this day, unfortunately) that their property value will be negatively effected not to mention issues of safety. This is an important film since many of these issues are still as painfully present as they were in the 1950s. All the Way Home is a must have piece of Civil Rights history. You can buy this classic from us by clicking here.

We are not going to dignify the trash from the crazed "backward billies" resurrecting Jim Crow for the Tea Baggers, except to send a message through our movies. For all the nation's youth that might not be aware of how things were years ago in our separate but unequal country, this short film should set you straight. Click here to download the film. And as always pass the file on to a friend. You never can tell, their parents and grandparents could be quietly harboring unfounded negative stereotypes to pass on to the innocent and unsuspecting.

RetroVision Theater Presents The Beulah Show

2010-02-10T06:27:00.001-08:00

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The Beulah Show is an American situation-comedy series that ran in radio on CBS from 1945 to 1954, and in television on ABC from 1950 to 1953. It is notable for being the first sitcom to star an African American.

Originally portrayed by White actor Marlin Hurt, Beulah Brown first appeared in 1939 when Hurt introduced and played the character on the Hometown Incorporated radio series and in 1940 on NBC radio's Show Boat series. In 1943, Beulah moved over to That's Life and then became a supporting character on the popular Fibber McGee and Molly radio series in late 1944. In 1945, Beulah was spun off into her own radio show, The Marlin Hurt and Beulah Show, with Hurt still in the role. Beulah was employed as a housekeeper and cook for the Henderson family: father Harry, mother Alice and son Donnie. After Hurt died of a heart attack in 1946, he was replaced by another white actor, Bob Corley, and the series was retitled The Beulah Show.

When black actress Hattie McDaniel took over the role on November 24, 1947, she earned $1000 a week for the first season, doubled the ratings of the original series and pleased the NAACP which was elated to see a historic first: a black woman as the star of a network radio program.

McDaniel continued in the role until she became ill in 1952 and was replaced by Lillian Randolph, who was in turn replaced for the 1953-54 radio season by her sister, Amanda Randolph.

RetroVision Theater Presents Big Joe Turner

2010-02-09T06:26:00.001-08:00

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Hey, we are taking some time out from the politics this week to focus on Black History Month. Today RetroVision Theater's Ebony Classics is serving up the boss of the blues, Big Joe Turner. For those who are too young or too lame to know who this talent was, here is your chance to watch, listen and learn. Check out Big Joe performing his historic hit, Shake Rattle and Roll.

We even got the lyrics for the Karaoke crews:

Get outta that bed, wash your face and hands

Well, you get in that kitchen, make some noise with the pots 'n pans

Way you wear those dresses, the sun comes shinin' through

I can't believe my eyes, all that mess belongs to you

I believe to the soul you're the devil and now I know

Well, the more I work, the faster my money goes

I said shake, rattle and roll, Shake, rattle and roll

Shake, rattle and roll, Shake, rattle and roll

Well, you won't do right to save your doggone soul

Yeah, blow Joe!

----- saxophone -----

I'm like a one-eyed cat peepin' in a seafood store

Well I can look at you till you ain't no child no more

Ah, shake, rattle and roll, Shake, rattle and roll

Shake, rattle and roll, Shake, rattle and roll

Well, you won't do right to save your doggone soul

I get over the hill and way down underneath

You make me roll my eyes, even make me grit my teeth

I said shake, rattle and roll, Shake, rattle and roll

Shake, rattle and roll, Shake, rattle and roll

Well, you won't do nothin' to save your doggone soul

Shake, rattle and roll!

RetroVision Theater Presents Cab Calloway

2010-02-08T14:18:00.001-08:00

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To celebrate Black History Month this year, we thought it would be cool to remember some of the kings of retro cool. Enjoy this musical short with Calloway performing one of his signature numbers, Minnie The Moocher