Burlesque in Harlem (1949) User Reviews

The performances of a burlesque stars and nothing else.

[dbborroughs · 3/10 · 29 December 2008]

A filmed performance of a Burlesque show in Harlem. Like most of the films like this there is little beyond the acts them selves. Its a mixed lot. This was clearly shot on a stage with the camera simply filming what was going on on stage. Unfortunately the camera work for this film is extremely limited consisting of a wide shot for the musical dance numbers. A close up for the comedy and singers. Most films of this short do have limited camera motion and shot choices, this film has next to none with the choice limited as I've said to either close up or wide shot. I've seen a number of these filmed performances and this is kind of towards the bottom of the pack. Its not really bad but its not really interesting either. More a historical record then an entertainment.

I highly enjoyed this rarity, Burlesque in Harlem

[tavm · 8/10 · 11 February 2014]

Just watched this on the same DVD that also has Paradise in Harlem. It's emceed by one Dick Barrow who also sings a couple of songs. Among the other acts: The Taylorettes-a female dance troupe, dancer Gloria Howard-"The Atomic Bomb", singer Jo Jo Adams-"Huckabuck Jones" or "Doctor Jo Jo", dancer Gertrude "Baby" Banks who does a nice number to a Duke Ellington arrangement of Cole Porter's "Night & Day", singer-comedienne Mabel Hunter who gets 3 sets, a sketch called "Love Making Bureau" featuring Pigmeat Markham, Vivian Harris-sis of Edna Mae who I just watched in Paradise in Harlem, and George Wilshire, dancer Princess D'Orsey, tap dancers "Slip & Slide", dancer Tarza Young who really aroused me when she performed, and singer-dancer Louella Owens who provided her own funny dance routine. The filming is a bit static with the single shot of The Taylorettes in wide form but despite that I highly enjoyed this. So that's a recommendation of Burlesque in Harlem.