Watch Boarding House Blues

Boarding House Blues is a 1948 musical comedy film that centers around the lives and adventures of a group of boarders residing at the boarding house of landlady, Auntie Lee (played by Moms Mabley). The film features a talented cast of African-American actors, singers, and comedians, including Dusty Fletcher, Marcellus Wilson, and George Wiltshire. The story follows a group of boarders living in Auntie Lee's house as they navigate their individual dreams, aspirations, and struggles.

The film begins with legendary comedian, Moms Mabley, delivering a raunchy stand-up routine to a packed audience. As Auntie Lee, she then invites the viewers into her home - a boarding house located in Harlem. Auntie Lee takes pride in providing a safe haven for black residents who face discrimination in finding suitable housing elsewhere. She is initially warm but stern, treating her guests like family members and insisting that they pay their rent on time.

The boarders at Auntie Lee's home are an eclectic bunch. Among them, we have a struggling performer, Billie (played by Dede Waters), who harbors dreams of stardom; a would-be writer, Cream (played by Dusty Fletcher), who is always scribbling but never finishes anything; and a fashion-conscious man, Hogan (played by Marcellus Wilson), who is in love with the beautiful Ruby (played by Victoria Spivey). The occupants of the boarding house all have their own goals and aspirations, but struggle to achieve them in the face of financial constraints and other societal obstacles that arise.

One of the standout performances in the film comes from Dusty Fletcher, who plays Cream. Cream is an aspiring writer who is constantly talking about his latest projects but never finishing them. He's always borrowing money from his friends, and even resorts to selling Auntie Lee's furniture to make ends meet. Despite his financial problems, Cream is always happy-go-lucky and full of ideas. He even teams up with Hogan to try and win a writing contest, but their efforts are always foiled by their own incompetence.

Marcellus Wilson plays Hogan, a snappy dresser and aspiring amateur photographer. He dreams of marrying the beautiful Ruby, who he's been courting for some time. However, Ruby's parents don't approve of him, and he has to prove that he's worthy of their daughter's hand. This sparks a hilarious subplot involving Hogan hatching elaborate schemes to win Ruby's affections, including staging a fake train robbery and dressing up as a professional wrestler.

The film is punctuated by lively musical numbers, which showcase the talents of some of the greatest African-American entertainers of the era. One of the most memorable performances comes from Victoria Spivey, who sings a soulful blues number while washing dishes in the kitchen. The song highlights the struggle and perseverance of African Americans during a time of intense racial segregation and oppression.

Throughout the movie, director Josh Binney invites the viewers to step into the world of Harlem in the 1940s. The film captures the essence of black life during a challenging but dynamic time in American history. The vibrant music and performances add a lively and colorful backdrop to the often-subdued tone of the film's story. Boarding House Blues is an endearing and sentimental look at a bygone era of black culture, and the struggles that people living in that time period faced.

In summary, Boarding House Blues is a heartwarming musical comedy that explores the lives and struggles of a group of black residents living in a boarding house in Harlem. Its standout performances, poignant storytelling, and lively musical numbers make it a beloved classic that continues to inspire audiences today.

Boarding House Blues is a 1948 music movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.