Murder on Lenox Avenue - Boy! What a Girl

Stars: Mamie Smith, Alec Lovejoy, Norman Ashwood, Tim Moore, Elwood Smith, Duke Williams
Director: Arthur Dreifuss / Arthur H. Leonard
Runtime: 63 Minutes / 72 Minutes
Language: English
Color:  Black and White
Format:  DVD-R
Rating: NR
Price: $9.95

Murder on Lenox Avenue
(1941)

Directed by Arthur Dreifuss

Cast:
Mamie Smith ... Hattie
Alec Lovejoy ... Flivver Johnson
Norman Astwood ... Mr. Marshall
Augustus Smith ... Pa Wilkins
Alberta Perkins ... Mercedes
Edna Mae Harris ... Singer
Sidney Easton ... Speed Simmons
Dene Larry ... Ola Wilkins
Ernie Ransom ... Jim Bracton

Dramatic events in a Harlem apartment house center around Pa Wilkins, chosen by the Better Business League to replace their ousted, crooked leader Marshall and Pa's ward Jim Bracton, a two-timing Romeo. 63 Minutes.

Boy! What a Girl!
(1947)

Directed by Arthur H. Leonard

Cast:
Tim Moore ... Bumpsie
Elwood Smith ... Jim Walton
Duke Williams ... Harry Diggs
Alan Jackson ... Mr. Cummings
Sheila Guyse ... Francine Cummings
Betti Mays ... Cristola Cummings
Sybil Lewis ... Mme. Deborah Martin
Warren Patterson ... Donaldson

This rediscovered all-black-cast musical comedy features Tim Moore as a bald, cigar-smoking female impersonator pursued by three men with marriage on their minds. The story revolves around two young would-be show business entrepreneurs who are trying to raise money for their production. Circumstances dictate that Tim Moore pose as a wealthy Parisian businesswoman--Madame Deborah--in order to induce financial assistance from a potential backer. Meanwhile, the real Madame shows up and predictable comedy situations ensue, all interspersed with quite entertaining musical numbers, first at a rent party and later at a more formal gathering on the roof garden. 72 Minutes

Seeing rubber-faced Tim Moore in drag with a cheesy wig being ardently sought after by three suitors is pretty funny.