Rhythm in a Riff

Rhythm in a Riff is a 1947 medium length musical film produced by William D. Alexander and directed by Leonard Anderson.[1] The film stars Billy Eckstine and his band performing as well as Ann Baker, Hortense Allen, Sarah Harris, and Emmett "Babe" Wallace.[2][3] The film is extant. The film was.made in New York City.[4] It was released by Astor Pictures. The film was targeted to am African American audience, features and African American cast, and was produced and directed by African Americans. The film is also known as Flicker Up.[5]

Rhythm in a Riff
Directed byLeonard Anderson
Produced byWilliam D. Alexander
StarringBilly Eckstine
Music byBilly Eckstine
Distributed byAstor Pictures
Release date
  • 1947 (1947)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The film features various songs performed by Eckstine,[6] who served as the film's hero.[7] who sings, conducts, and performs solo in the film.[8] Several soundies were made from excerpts of the film.[9]

"Lonesome Lover Blues" is 9ne of the songs Eckstine performs in the film.[10] The film was rereleased on video in 1993 along with some footage of Dizzy Gillespie under the title Dizzy Gillespie/Billy Eckstine: Things To Come (Vintage Jazz Classics Video VJC-2006).[11] Clips from the film were used in the 2004 Storyville Films release The Black Big Bands.

A September 1949 review in the Indianapolis Recorder described the film as "jampacked full of music, pep, and vitality" and praised Eckstine's acting performance as a bandleader in search of a gig.[12]

Hortense Allen dances in the film. She was shown footage of her performance in the film 50 years after it was made. The dancer, choreographer, costume designer, and producer said it was the first time she ever saw herself dance.[13]

Oakton Community College has a poster for the film.[14]

Cast
  • Billy Eckstine and his band
  • Emmett "Babe" Wallace
  • Sarah Harris
  • Garfield Love
  • Ray Moore
  • Ann Baker, singing "I Cried for You"
  • Hortense Allen[1] dancing

References
  1. Webb, Graham (July 13, 2020). "Encyclopedia of American Short Films, 1926–1959". McFarland – via Google Books.
  2. "Celluloid Improvisations ♫ LEARN". www.jazz-on-film.com.
  3. Pitts, Michael R. (2019-04-25). Astor Pictures: A Filmography and History of the Reissue King, 1933–1965. McFarland. p. 136. ISBN 978-1-4766-7649-4 – via Google Books.
  4. Stratemann, Klaus (November 29, 1981). "Negro Bands on Film: Big bands, 1928–1950". Verlag Uhle & Kleimann – via Google Books.
  5. Moon, Spencer; Allen, Linda (November 29, 1997). "Reel Black Talk: A Sourcebook of 50 American Filmmakers". Greenwood Publishing Group – via Google Books.
  6. "RHYTHM IN A RIFF". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA.
  7. "Eckstine, Millinder Make Pix to Hypo Tour Grosses". Billboard. July 27, 1946 – via Google Books.
  8. Jackson, Kenneth T.; Markoe, Karen; Markoe, Arnie; Markoe, Arnold (November 29, 2001). "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives: 1991–1993. Vol. 3". Charles Scribner's Sons – via Google Books.
  9. Rustin, Nichole T.; Tucker, Sherrie (November 7, 2008). "Big Ears: Listening for Gender in Jazz Studies". Duke University Press – via Google Books.
  10. Clear, Rebecca D. (November 29, 1993). "Jazz on Film and Video in the Library of Congress". DIANE Publishing – via Google Books.
  11. "King Kolax Discography". campber.people.clemson.edu.
  12. "Indianapolis Recorder 3 September 1949 — Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana's Digital Historic Newspaper Program" – via newspapers.library.in.gov.
  13. Sims, Gayle Ronan. "Ex-dancer Hortense Allen Jordan dies at 88". Inquirer.
  14. "Permanent Collection". Oakton Community College.
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