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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: ?
Up 3% 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 Comments:
Lena Is Tops more (6 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)
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
Marie Bryant ... Specialty
Swing Band Harlemania Orchestra ... Speciality
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Everett Brown ... Sheriff
Arthur Ray ... Druggist
Mildred Boyd ... Chorus Girl / Dancer (uncredited)
Joel Fluellen ... Tonic customer (uncredited)
Louise Franklin ... Chorus Girl / Dancer (uncredited)
Avanelle Harris ... Dancer (uncredited)
Lillian Randolph ... Woman With Sciatica (uncredited) (unconfirmed)
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Directed by
William L. Nolte  (as William Nolte)
 
Writing credits
(in alphabetical order)
Phil Dunham  writer

Produced by
Leo C. Popkin .... associate producer
 
Original Music by
Harvey Brooks 
Ben Ellison 
 
Cinematography by
Robert E. Cline  (as Robert Cline)
J. Henry Kruse  (as Henry Kruse)
 
Film Editing by
Alice Greenwood 
 
Production Management
Ralph Cooper .... production manager
Walter Buck Jones .... production manager
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Herman E. Webber .... assistant director (as Herman Webber)
 
Art Department
Vin Taylor .... set designer
 
Sound Department
Glen Glenn .... sound (as Glen Glen)
 
Editorial Department
Arthur A. Brooks .... supervising editor
 
Music Department
Lou Frohman .... musical director
Phil Moore .... music arranger
 
Other crew
Lew Crawford .... ensemble numbers
Halley Harding .... supervisor
Harry M. Popkin .... presenter
 
Crew verified as complete


Production CompaniesDistributors
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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:
Killing Jive more

FAQ

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
8 out of 8 people found the following comment 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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