Juke Joint (film #17 in the Black Culture section of Movieflix (www.movieflx.com)). [Category: Sleaze & Outsider]

Movieflix added an introduction to this all-black cast film that gives some historical background to films like this, which were made completely by African-Americans. This film is a light comedy, featuring a couple of con men who drift into a small town and endear themselves to a local family when they help one of the daughters win a beauty contest. The juke joint of the title plays only a minor role in the film. This is a rather strange movie with a plot that kind of meanders around. The two con men are mildly amusing, but the scenes of the mother beating her husband and one of her daughters are upsetting to today’s sensibilities. It’s also curious that the two con men are never unmasked and are actually a benign influence on the family throughout the film. This is a good example, though, of a film that was made from an African-American perspective.

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

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