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HALLELUJHA, I'M A BUM (Hallelujah,
I'm a Tramp) - Lewis Milestone Productions, 1933. Musical
comedy/drama starring Al Jolson, Frank Morgan, Harry Langdon,
Chester Conklin and Madge Evans. A New York tramp (Jolson) falls
in love with the mayor's amnesiac girlfriend after rescuing her
from a suicide attempt. To call this film "unusual" feels like a
thundering understatement. Hallelujah, I'm a Bum is so
strikingly original, so unlike anything else Hollywood ever
attempted, one hardly knows where to begin in talking about it.
What can you say about a musical-comedy-drama with satirical
touches made in the darkest days of the Depression that
celebrates the superiority of happy-go-lucky hobo life, centered
on a motley gang of homeless people who live in Central Park and
consider "work" a dirty word? What if the unofficial leader of
these hobos is none other than Al Jolson, that brash show biz
legend who, in this incarnation, is a humble tramp nicknamed
'Bumper' who pals around with a young black sidekick called
'Acorn'? And just to add to the incongruity, what if fading
silent comedy star Harry Langdon is added to the mix as a trash
collector called 'Egghead' who spouts Marxist rhetoric and warns
his cohorts that the Revolution is imminent? Speaking of odd
casting, what if the romantic lead of the story, the melancholy,
middle-aged Mayor of New York City, is played by the Wizard of
Oz himself, Frank Morgan? Like New top quality original print on
2x1600' reels. Public Domain -
$399
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CHECK AND DOUBLE CHECK -
RKO, 1930. Freeman F. Gosden, Charles J. Correll, Duke Ellington
and the Cotton Club Orchestra. Excellent quality Niles C&C print
looks original. The son of a former plantation owner is looking
for the deed to an old abandoned house in Harlem so he can claim
title, sell it, and be rich enough to marry his intended. His
path crossed that of Amos and Andy who are on a kind of treasure
hunt for their Mystic Knights of the Sea Lodge. Near Mint on
2x1600' reels - $299
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THE FALCON'S ALIBI - RKO,
1946. Starring Tom Conway, Rita Corday, Elisha Cook Jr. and
Vince Barnett. A wealthy woman's secretary, fearing that she
will be blamed if her employer's jewelry is stolen, hires the
Falcon as guardian. The Falcon is blamed when the jewels are
stolen and murders ensue. Some nice noirish moments, atmospheric
photography and natural acting by all go to make it an enjoyable
ride. Like New 1950's Agfa original with all RKO titles. On one
2300' reel - $299
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ALEXANDER'S RAGTIME BAND - Fox,
1938. Starring Tyrone Power, Alice Faye,
Don Ameche and Ethel Merman. Roger
Grant, a classical violinist,
disappoints his family and teacher when
he organizes a jazz band, but he and the
band become successful. Roger falls in
love with his singer Stella, but his
reluctance to lose her leads him to
thwart her efforts to become a solo
star. When the World War separates them
in 1917, Stella marries Roger's best
friend Charlie. Roger comes home after
the war and an important concert at
Carnegie Hall brings the corners of the
romantic triangle together. Mint 1970's
print on 2x2000' reels - $299
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