Watch Minstrel Man

Minstrel Man is a musical drama film from 1944, directed by Joseph H. Lewis and produced by Producers Distributing Corporation. Starring Benny Fields, Gladys George, and Alan Dinehart, the movie tells the story of a white man who disguises himself as a blackface minstrel performer to become famous as a singer and comedian in the late 19th century.

The film starts with Alan Alderson (Benny Fields), a talented singer and musician from a wealthy family, who wants to become a famous performer but faces rejection everywhere due to his lack of originality. After attending a minstrel show, he gets an idea to create his own blackface character named Sonny Boy and start performing on the vaudeville stage. He convinces his friend and personal manager, Harold (Alan Dinehart), to invest in his new act and convinces his wife, Sylvia (Gladys George), to join him on the road.

As Sonny Boy, Alderson slowly gains popularity and becomes one of the most sought after performers of the time. However, he finds himself struggling with his own identity and the moral implications of performing in blackface. The film explores the themes of racial identity, cultural appropriation, and artistic integrity through Alderson's journey as a minstrel performer.

The movie features several musical performances, including old-fashioned ballads, ragtime songs, and comedic sketches. The highlight of the film is Benny Fields' performance as Sonny Boy, in which he flawlessly imitates the style and mannerisms of a traditional minstrel performer. His singing and dancing skills are also noteworthy, and he delivers a powerful performance that captures the complexity of his character.

Gladys George, who plays Alderson's wife Sylvia, delivers a compelling performance as a woman torn between her love for her husband and her disapproval of his choice of career. She also gets to showcase her singing skills in a few musical numbers, proving to be a versatile actor.

Alan Dinehart, who plays Harold, brings a grounded and realistic touch to the film as a shrewd businessman who knows how to exploit the entertainment industry. He provides Alderson with the resources to become successful but also warns him about the dangers of compromising his artistic integrity.

The film also features a supporting cast of talented actors and performers, including Ernest Whitman, who plays a fellow minstrel performer, and Joan Woodbury, who plays a love interest for Alderson's character.

Overall, Minstrel Man is a well-crafted and entertaining movie about the history of American entertainment and the controversies surrounding blackface minstrelsy. While the film does not offer a perfect solution to the issues it raises, it serves as a thought-provoking and engaging exploration of a complex and controversial part of American culture. The musical performances are stellar, and the themes are still relevant today, making it a must-watch for fans of classic Hollywood cinema.

Minstrel Man is a 1944 music movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 10 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.8.