Reviews (3)

I NEVER RECEIVED VIDEO FROM SHIPPER!!
Video ordered 30 days ago and I have not been notified since.

Interesting artifact
My mother told me that she saw this film in a Black rural church in the 1940s, so I had the pleasure of watching it with her and reliving her memories. It's interesting in that it's a morality play based on a Southern Black version of themes of the afterlife and salvation. Spencer Williams (who also directed and is best remembered as "Andy" of "Amos and Andy") also provides some comic relief. While it is not likely to be taken seriously today by anyone aside from rural funamentalist Christians (due to the dialogue and extremely low budget), it is still very interesting to watch.

A crucial film for anyone interested in black heritage
Spencer Williams religious allegory, "Blood of Jesus", is an insightful look at African-American religious thought at mid-century. This gem of a movie focuses on the sustaining power of faith within a segregated and marginal society. The story is one of a spiritual journey, in which a young woman on the brink of death finds spiritual renewal by overcoming temptations. Drawing upon Dante and Pilgrim's Progress, Williams crafted an outstanding homage to African-American Christianity. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

filmed in Queen city, Dallas, Texas
Juke Joint with Spencer Williams is a really fun movie, that is if you are not opposed to early black comedies, which I find that many Blacks are. However, I think the reason for that, is that some ignore the historical significance, associated with the production "Juke Joint".

I found it historically important to the history of a black neighborhood in Dallas, Texas, called "Queen City" in south
Dallas. I found the actual location where the opening scenes
were shot in Dallas, just recently, by paying attention to the film. the "1241 Pine st. address is no longer in existence.

Good Spencer Williams effort
Spencer Williams is best remembered today as Andy from the Amos & Andy show, but he was also a pioneering Black director/producer. One of the best of his existing films is this one. "Juke Joint" is a Texas-made comedy of two con-men who bamboozle their way into a boardinghouse and wind up helping the daughter of the landlady.

The cinematography is hideous even by 1940s standards, but it's a very entertaining film aside from that. The slices of Black life in the 40s ring true and the sequences with the landlady and her family are warmly amusing (particularly the "grace" scene). Spencer Williams and July Jones (ne' Robert Orr)come off as a sort of Black Laurel and Hardy in their gentle humor (interesting to compare this to Spencer Williams' work with Tim Moore and Alvin Childress in "Amos & Andy'). Oh yes, the jitterbug contest is a sight to behold and you will rewind this repeatedly. However, it's shot from one rigid angle from a distance.

But these flaws aside, it's a good way to kill an afternoon.

You'll Either Like The Movie, Dancing, or Both!
I enjoyed this movie. Spencer Williams was another black movie-maker who was successful like Oscar Micheaux. Spencer Williams always tried to tell a story in his movie, he wanted to prove a point. In this film, its a comedy. Everyone in this movie holds their own and live up to their character. If you don't like the movie, maybe you'll like the dancing of that time. Dancing today is hideous, compared to the dancing of back then.

A nice All-Black cast production
This is a nice effort by Spencer Williams, an independent filmmaker better known as Andy of The Amos and Andy TV Show. However, this film is often incorrectly listed as featuring Mantan Moreland (including here at Amazon). Mantan is NOT in this film. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Poor, but interesting
Like most of the "Negro Movies" of the 1940s, this film suffers from poor sound, low budget, bad acting, and sometimes incomprehensible dialogue. The story is a shopworn one about a small town girl who goes to the big city seeking fame and fortune who falls into bad company. But there is a sincerity behind the goings-on that makes this somehow appealing. Directed by Spencer Williams (later Andy from "Amos & Andy"), who also appears as a kindly cabbie who keeps the young lady in check in the big city. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Death, Film Noir, and Black Cinema
I am a researcher and educator in the area of death and dying. In looking for visual materials to use in presentations and classrooms, I went searching for any versions of James Weldon Johnson's poem, Go Down Death. I came upon this video and added it to my collection. I have not yet found it to be useful for my purposes, however, I did find it a fascinating cultural artifact and do not regret the purchase. It probably would be of interest to those studying the history of black film and film-making.

"Go Down Death" as a black film is indeed, if you pardon the pun, an example of "film-noir" in which a larger narrative of malevolence is built around the death of Sister Caroline from the original Johnson poem. I believe it is Spencer Williams (the director), himself, who plays the sleazy, cynical character perpetrating a crime that unltimately calls "down death".

Williams directed several serious and comedic films in the 1930's and 40's of which this film is included. He is probably best known as "Andy" from "Amos and Andy."

Because of the age of the film as well as what I imagine was poor quality from low-budgeting in the first place, it is a very choppy film, difficult to understand in places.

While it lacks contemporary entertainment value (I would rate it 0 to 1 stars for that), all in all it has it's place in history and may be well worth the purchase for the collector or film scholar, (earning it 3 stars).

For those interested in other videos based on the works of James Weldon Johnson, I highly recommend an amazon.com search for the video "God's Trombones." ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Poor, but interesting
Like most of the "Negro Movies" of the 1940s, this film suffers from poor sound, low budget, bad acting, and sometimes incomprehensible dialogue. The story is a shopworn one about a small town girl who goes to the big city seeking fame and fortune who falls into bad company. But there is a sincerity behind the goings-on that makes this somehow appealing. Directed by Spencer Williams (later Andy from "Amos & Andy"), who also appears as a kindly cabbie who keeps the young lady in check in the big city. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

filmed in Queen city, Dallas, Texas
Juke Joint with Spencer Williams is a really fun movie, that is if you are not opposed to early black comedies, which I find that many Blacks are. However, I think the reason for that, is that some ignore the historical significance, associated with the production "Juke Joint".

I found it historically important to the history of a black neighborhood in Dallas, Texas, called "Queen City" in south
Dallas. I found the actual location where the opening scenes
were shot in Dallas, just recently, by paying attention to the film. the "1241 Pine st. address is no longer in existence.

Good Spencer Williams effort
Spencer Williams is best remembered today as Andy from the Amos & Andy show, but he was also a pioneering Black director/producer. One of the best of his existing films is this one. "Juke Joint" is a Texas-made comedy of two con-men who bamboozle their way into a boardinghouse and wind up helping the daughter of the landlady.

The cinematography is hideous even by 1940s standards, but it's a very entertaining film aside from that. The slices of Black life in the 40s ring true and the sequences with the landlady and her family are warmly amusing (particularly the "grace" scene). Spencer Williams and July Jones (ne' Robert Orr)come off as a sort of Black Laurel and Hardy in their gentle humor (interesting to compare this to Spencer Williams' work with Tim Moore and Alvin Childress in "Amos & Andy'). Oh yes, the jitterbug contest is a sight to behold and you will rewind this repeatedly. However, it's shot from one rigid angle from a distance.

But these flaws aside, it's a good way to kill an afternoon.

You'll Either Like The Movie, Dancing, or Both!
I enjoyed this movie. Spencer Williams was another black movie-maker who was successful like Oscar Micheaux. Spencer Williams always tried to tell a story in his movie, he wanted to prove a point. In this film, its a comedy. Everyone in this movie holds their own and live up to their character. If you don't like the movie, maybe you'll like the dancing of that time. Dancing today is hideous, compared to the dancing of back then.

A nice All-Black cast production
This is a nice effort by Spencer Williams, an independent filmmaker better known as Andy of The Amos and Andy TV Show. However, this film is often incorrectly listed as featuring Mantan Moreland (including here at Amazon). Mantan is NOT in this film. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Poor, but interesting
Like most of the "Negro Movies" of the 1940s, this film suffers from poor sound, low budget, bad acting, and sometimes incomprehensible dialogue. The story is a shopworn one about a small town girl who goes to the big city seeking fame and fortune who falls into bad company. But there is a sincerity behind the goings-on that makes this somehow appealing. Directed by Spencer Williams (later Andy from "Amos & Andy"), who also appears as a kindly cabbie who keeps the young lady in check in the big city. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Death, Film Noir, and Black Cinema
I am a researcher and educator in the area of death and dying. In looking for visual materials to use in presentations and classrooms, I went searching for any versions of James Weldon Johnson's poem, Go Down Death. I came upon this video and added it to my collection. I have not yet found it to be useful for my purposes, however, I did find it a fascinating cultural artifact and do not regret the purchase. It probably would be of interest to those studying the history of black film and film-making.

"Go Down Death" as a black film is indeed, if you pardon the pun, an example of "film-noir" in which a larger narrative of malevolence is built around the death of Sister Caroline from the original Johnson poem. I believe it is Spencer Williams (the director), himself, who plays the sleazy, cynical character perpetrating a crime that unltimately calls "down death".

Williams directed several serious and comedic films in the 1930's and 40's of which this film is included. He is probably best known as "Andy" from "Amos and Andy."

Because of the age of the film as well as what I imagine was poor quality from low-budgeting in the first place, it is a very choppy film, difficult to understand in places.

While it lacks contemporary entertainment value (I would rate it 0 to 1 stars for that), all in all it has it's place in history and may be well worth the purchase for the collector or film scholar, (earning it 3 stars).

For those interested in other videos based on the works of James Weldon Johnson, I highly recommend an amazon.com search for the video "God's Trombones." ... Read more

Reviews (3)

I NEVER RECEIVED VIDEO FROM SHIPPER!!
Video ordered 30 days ago and I have not been notified since.

Interesting artifact
My mother told me that she saw this film in a Black rural church in the 1940s, so I had the pleasure of watching it with her and reliving her memories. It's interesting in that it's a morality play based on a Southern Black version of themes of the afterlife and salvation. Spencer Williams (who also directed and is best remembered as "Andy" of "Amos and Andy") also provides some comic relief. While it is not likely to be taken seriously today by anyone aside from rural funamentalist Christians (due to the dialogue and extremely low budget), it is still very interesting to watch.

A crucial film for anyone interested in black heritage
Spencer Williams religious allegory, "Blood of Jesus", is an insightful look at African-American religious thought at mid-century. This gem of a movie focuses on the sustaining power of faith within a segregated and marginal society. The story is one of a spiritual journey, in which a young woman on the brink of death finds spiritual renewal by overcoming temptations. Drawing upon Dante and Pilgrim's Progress, Williams crafted an outstanding homage to African-American Christianity. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

filmed in Queen city, Dallas, Texas
Juke Joint with Spencer Williams is a really fun movie, that is if you are not opposed to early black comedies, which I find that many Blacks are. However, I think the reason for that, is that some ignore the historical significance, associated with the production "Juke Joint".

I found it historically important to the history of a black neighborhood in Dallas, Texas, called "Queen City" in south
Dallas. I found the actual location where the opening scenes
were shot in Dallas, just recently, by paying attention to the film. the "1241 Pine st. address is no longer in existence.

Good Spencer Williams effort
Spencer Williams is best remembered today as Andy from the Amos & Andy show, but he was also a pioneering Black director/producer. One of the best of his existing films is this one. "Juke Joint" is a Texas-made comedy of two con-men who bamboozle their way into a boardinghouse and wind up helping the daughter of the landlady.

The cinematography is hideous even by 1940s standards, but it's a very entertaining film aside from that. The slices of Black life in the 40s ring true and the sequences with the landlady and her family are warmly amusing (particularly the "grace" scene). Spencer Williams and July Jones (ne' Robert Orr)come off as a sort of Black Laurel and Hardy in their gentle humor (interesting to compare this to Spencer Williams' work with Tim Moore and Alvin Childress in "Amos & Andy'). Oh yes, the jitterbug contest is a sight to behold and you will rewind this repeatedly. However, it's shot from one rigid angle from a distance.

But these flaws aside, it's a good way to kill an afternoon.

You'll Either Like The Movie, Dancing, or Both!
I enjoyed this movie. Spencer Williams was another black movie-maker who was successful like Oscar Micheaux. Spencer Williams always tried to tell a story in his movie, he wanted to prove a point. In this film, its a comedy. Everyone in this movie holds their own and live up to their character. If you don't like the movie, maybe you'll like the dancing of that time. Dancing today is hideous, compared to the dancing of back then.

A nice All-Black cast production
This is a nice effort by Spencer Williams, an independent filmmaker better known as Andy of The Amos and Andy TV Show. However, this film is often incorrectly listed as featuring Mantan Moreland (including here at Amazon). Mantan is NOT in this film. ... Read more