IMDb > The Duke Is Tops (1938)

The Duke Is Tops (1938) More at IMDbPro »

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The Duke Is Tops (1938) -- A theatrical producer puts aside his own success to boost the career of a talented singer.

Overview

User Rating:
5.1/10   82 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
William L. Nolte
Writer:
Phil Dunham (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Duke Is Tops on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
1 September 1938 (USA) more
Genre:
Musical more
Plot:
A theatrical producer puts aside his own success to boost the career of a talented singer. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
User Reviews:
Lena Is Tops more (6 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Ralph Cooper ... Duke Davis

Lena Horne ... Ethel Andrews
Laurence Criner ... Doc Dorando (as Lawrence Criner)
Monte Hawley ... George Marshall
Willie Covan ... Specialty Tap Dancer
Neva Peoples ... Ella
Vernon McCalla ... Mason (as Vernon McCallum)
Edward Thompson ... Ferdie Fenton
Johnny Taylor ... Dippy, 'Prince Alakazoo'
Ray Martin ... Joe
Guernsey Morrow ... Ed. Lake (as Guersney Morrow)
Charles Hawkins ... Sam, the Stage Manager (as Charlie Hawkins)
Basin Street Boys ... Speciality
Rubberneck Holmes ... Specialty (as Rubber Neck Holmes)
Cats and the Fiddle ... Speciality
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Bronze Venus (USA) (reissue title)
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Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
73 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Black and White
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
USA:Approved (PCA #4215)
Company:
Million Dollar Productions more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Lena Horne did not attend the June, 1938 NAACP charity premiere in Pittsburgh because she was not paid for her work. more
Movie Connections:
Edited into Strange Frame: Love & Sax (2009) more
Soundtrack:
Blackberry Baby more

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User Reviews

   (Review this title)
8 out of 8 people found the following review useful.
Lena Is Tops, 25 September 2000
Author: Schlockmeister from Midnight Movie Land

A great look at the black entertainment industry in 1938. A young Lena Horne shines in her performance as Ethel, a singer who makes her way to the 'big time'. Ralph Cooper plays her boyfriend Duke who is also involved in the entertainment business. As the film progresses, Duke and Erthel are separated and Duke throws his lot in with a travelling medicine show with the esteemed Doctor Dorando, played wonderfully by Laurence Criner. The time with the medicine show is one of this movies treasures as it gives the audience a rare look at how an actual medicine show operated around the South back then. Special musical guests are presented (great guitarist featured by the way...), the spiel is given and the medicine sells.

As one of the stage performers shown on stage early in the movie, look for the fantastic moves of "Rubberneck Holmes". Don't worry, you will recognize him.

A lot of these 'race movies' are a fantastic look at wonderful performers that were never presented in mainstream Hollywood. This movie is worth seeing.

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Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Musical section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

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