Hi-De-Ho (1947)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Josh Binney

Writer:

Hal Seeger (writer)

Release Date:

9 May 1947 (USA)

Genre:

Musical

Plot:

Cab Calloway plays himself in a plot about jealousy, night clubs, and gangsters. Ends with a series of musical numbers.

Plot Keywords:

African American

Cast

Cab Calloway	...	Himself
Ida James	...	Nettie
Jeni Le Gon	...	Minnie
William Campbell	...	Sparks
Virginia Girvin	...	Sparks' fat friend
George Wiltshire	...	Boss Mason
James Dunmore	...	Mo the Mouse
Augustus Smith	...	Preacher
Edgar Martin	...	Jive Club owner
Leonard Rogers	...	Ralph
David Bethea	...	Brass Hat owner
Shepard Roberts	...	Police Sergeant
Frederick Johnson	...	Headwaiter
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dusty Fletcher	...	Himself (uncredited)
Lois	...	Herself (dancer) (uncredited)
Peters Sisters	...	Themselves (uncredited)

Directed by
Josh Binney

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Hal Seeger		writer

Produced by
E.M. Glucksman	....	producer

Original Music by
Elton Hill		(uncredited)

Cinematography by
Don Malkames

Film Editing by
Louis Hesse

Art Direction by
Frank Nemczy

Makeup Department
Rudolph Liszt	....	makeup artist (as Rudolph G. Liszt)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Thomas Darby	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Nelson Minnerly	....	sound engineer

Camera and Electrical Department
Lester Lang	....	camera operator
George Stoetzel	....	camera operator
Sydney Zucker	....	camera operator

Music Department
Buster Harding	....	music arranger

Other crew
Addison Carew	....	choreographer

Production Companies

• All-American

Distributors

• All-American (1947) (USA) (theatrical)
• Madacy Entertainment (1998) (USA) (VHS)
• Mill Creek Entertainment (????) (USA) (DVD)
• Reel Media International (2004) (worldwide) (video)
• Reel Media International (2005) (worldwide) (TV)
• Reel Media International (2007) (worldwide) (all media)

Other Companies

• Eaves Costume Company  costumes by

Runtime:

72 min | USA:64 min (re-issue)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

All-American

Soundtrack:

BOP BOP

Hi-De-Ho (1947) was a mostly excellent musical showcase for Cab Calloway

At first, I wasn't too thrilled about this movie because of Cab's rough treatment of Minnie (Jeni Le Gon) and her insolent attitude in return. And the idea of Calloway going to an audition arranged by his manager Nettie (Ida James) when, at this point in his life, he had already entertained millions of people in several movies, on radio, and in concerts makes this very much a plot for the birds. Good thing then that not too much time is spent on the "story" though Minnie's tragic end was a little touching with Cab granting her last wish. From then on, it's just a variety show starring Cab with his orchestra along with The Peters Sisters (a talented group of full-figured women singers), and the tap-dancing Millers and Lois (their tap routines are some of the best I've seen). While just every number performed by the Hi-De-Ho man is great, he's especially compelling on the "St. James Infirmary" number. And seeing the wedding number with Cab, Ida without the glasses, and Augustus Smith as the preacher makes an excellent finale for the picture. So on that note, I highly recommend Hi-De-Ho (1947 version since Cab previously made a couple of shorts with this name, one of which I reviewed in February). P.S. David Betha who plays the Brass Hat Owner here was previously in The Green Pastures (another movie I reviewed in February) as Aaron, Ms. Le Gon was born in my birth town of Chicago, Ill., Mr. Smith was born in Jacksonville, Fl., a place I lived in from 1987-2003.