Drums O’Voodoo (Sinister Cinema). [Category: Sleaze & Outsider]

This lively all-black cast film from the 30s has a strange premise. A preacher is being harassed by an evil gambler who comes to town. The gambler threatens to reveal an awful secret about the preacher to his congregation unless the preacher lets him have his pretty niece. What’s strange is that a local voodoo granny is enlisted to help out this situation, and she and the preacher are portrayed as comrades, not adversaries. The acting leaves no scenery unchewed and is full of stereotypes, and it ends very abruptly without total resolution. Still, this movie is a great deal of fun, especially counting the inclusion of authentic-sounding gospel music to the very campy revival meeting scene.

Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: ****. Weirdness: *****. Historical Interest: *****. Overall Rating: ****.