Mystery in Swing (1940)

Simply Perfect

Redundant and unnecessary.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

A fairly routine "cozy" murder mystery in which a hated person is killed in an enclosed environment (in this case a jazz nightclub), witnesses are threatened, and all the suspects are rounded up in the final reel by the bumbling police for a revelatory showdown outlined by a non-professional detective (in this case a newspaper reporter). The plot is handled well enough -- it's just an over-used device.What sets this movie apart from other films of its ilk -- both white-cast and black-cast -- are the interesting and well-played musical interludes and the comedic turn by F. E. Miller as Sgt. Slim. Miller is better known as the vaudeville (and film) partner of Mantan Moreland, but both had separate film outings as well. Both are always worth watching, alone or as a pair. Also notable here is Buck Woods, as a valet who has some memorable scenes ranging from the dramatic to the comedic.

Pretty crazy whodunit featuring an all black cast trying to figure out who murdered the philandering trumpet player who was just about to go to Hollywood to Make It Big. Was it his wife? His Girlfriend? His Would-Be-Girlfriend? Her Father? His Butler? The newspaper guy? Who knows? And who cares? The result of this is just a little underwhelming, and the actors here don't really get me in a mood to care one way or another finding out. Why snake venom as a weapon? Who knows? Who cares? The music in this is alright, but there's little of it, and most of it is pretty "let's get this over with" This isn't worthy of your time. There are better all-black casted movies out there.

The plot follows a routine B-picture formula. Someone with a lot of enemies is murdered. Who did it? Along the way, we get vignettes of each of the characters. There's also lots of music. The music -- swing (as one could guess) and jazz is not to my taste particularly but it's sensationally well performed.What sets this apart from the rest is that it's a race picture. The performers are black and it was made for all-black audiences. I love watching these movies when they turn up. Some are superb, like Edgar Ulmer's "Moon Over Harlem." Some are quite good. Many are disappointing --or maybe were made so cheaply they haven't survived well today.This movie is has several beautiful actresses, whom I don't recognize right off. The actors are skilled also. And it's short, professional, and snappy. Catch it if you have the chance!

This black cast film was enjoyable, a wonderful all-star Black cast displaying excellent acting and entertainment. Monte Hawley was considered the greatest actor of his race and he proved it. Monte Hawley was in the most used actor on stage and screen. Monte starred in many hit black cast films. Monte Hawley was wonderful in this movie, this is the best. Josephine Edwards stole the movie with her beauty, acting, singing, dancing talent- wonder why she didn't go further. Would of loved to see her in more movies. CeePee Johnson and his Orchestra had a great sound and CeePee was a amazing bandleader and singer. I enjoyed it and I'm sure you will too. Great singing by The Four Toppers- I wonder if the Four Tops knew it was a good of the same name before them. But, most of the black cast films are pleasant but its the entertainment that carries and steals the movie but in this case the acting is good and entertainment. The whole all-star cast if wonderful and holds their own. This movie is one of the better of the black cast films.