The Harlem Sandman (1943) | That's Reelblack Entertainment 

Hello, to the ReelBlack Family. Many of the viewers are making comments about the stereotypical speech of Nick Stewart's "Willie" character and the obvious darkening of Dorothy Dandridge. Nick Stewart, who became famous for his Lightnin' character on TV's Amos 'n Andy Show, was hired by filmmakers to act in the buffoonish, slow, and lazy tradition of Stepin Fetchit. And Dorothy Dandridge was darkened out of fear that some white viewers would think she was a white woman performing in the company of Black men. This sequence is selected because ReelBlack wanted our supporters to see the dynamic talent of Pops and Louie. Peace and Blessings!

"How can we know where we're going, if we don't know where we've been." I think it's fascinating to see what we went through to gain entrance into Hollywood. Yes by today's standards this would definitely not happen, but I truly appreciate the history more than anything. No special effects. True giftedness, from our past generations. Thanks for sharing.

Push all the stereotypes aside and enjoy the greatness of the Count and Dorothy.

Very interesting sequence! i've never seen it before. i'm a little disturbed by how "they" darkened Dorothy's face. It was very unnecessary, but a lot of things were unnecessary back then. However, i love seeing old footage of Black folks shining on the silver screen. Thank you for sharing!

Wow 🤩 the tap dancing was phenomenal. Acrobatic movements were so on point love 💕 it.

Black Excellence on a live stage !!! 🖤🖤🖤💯 Privilege to See 👍🏾👍🏽👍🏼

Whoever said Cats weren't rappin waaay back in da day.... 4:56

It is important to remember that this sequence (as in most other American films of the time) was made so it could be completely cut without effecting the overall storyline - for when it was shown in Southern theaters.

Nick Stewart, “Willie” in this film, also played “Lightnin” on the “Amos ‘N Andy” TV show. In 1950, he and his wife opened the Ebony Showcase Theater in Los Angeles, the home of many all-Black productions and the first Black-owned theater in Los Angeles. I believe it was there that I saw a young Lynn Whitfield in a small musical production called “Showgirls” in the 1980s. I for sure attended a comedy show there in the ‘90s which was put on as a fundraiser in an attempt to keep the theater from closing. It unfortunately did close soon thereafter and was torn down in 1998. The Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, which is owned and run by the City, now stands in its place.

Amazing to realize how only few of these movies survived and as an artifact priceless. I live in Kansas City do I have met many old timers who use live music like this. Thanks very much.

Count Basie was one cool guy!🥂🥂

Angry at the stereotype, but our people paid dues so that the world could see our talents.

I never knew Apollo's Sandman was based on a real character.

You have some of the Best Content. It's Awesome 👏 👏

Beautiful 🎶MUSIC

Thanks for this channel - I am loving and learning from these videos. Great stuff. As for controversy over dialog - for me I love the obvious nod to marijuana culture way before the squares could pick up on the lingo. "I am burnt" - and still giving you the idea and the hook for a big hit you will take all the money and credit for - had to be stoned to tolerate that world. He was laughing at them. I see a lot of dignity in every black character in this snippet. Context matters.

Wow! Thank you for sharing this! Pops and Louis' flash, acrobatic, rhythm tap dancing was improvised. I''ve researched them and the Whitman Sisters, but could never find a copy of this piece. I'm in contact with Pops Whitman's descendants and will share with them.

This was a time when you HAD to have talent lol this was just an extravagant version of the electric slide lol

DANM! THAT SPIN WAS NICE LOL

Wow 1943!!! It’s 2021 I love it 🥰

I love this channel I keep saying it I watch the. Best movies on here I’ve never seen before my time but fabulous talent

Those two dancers at the end were amazing and in the league of the Nicholas brothers!

The dancers were magnificent. 👏👏👏👏👏

DORTHY'S MAKE UP WAS TOO DARK. PEACE&LUV to the Children of the Prime Creator

Thank you for uploading this history. And we thought that the late great Michael Jackson had the baddest spin, but The Nicholas Brothers were badder ✊🏿 Out in Harlem pushin' sand

Wonderful

Please keep going!!!

There are really stereotypes in today's music. 2020's rap will really be scrutinized as horrible in years to come. Performances done in the 1900's had class. Today's performers are low life.

...the way our speech is presented in these films and cartoons have always been sickening

DOROTHY💃💃💃💃💃💕💕💕

The Nicholas Brother's the all time greatest no one could do what they we're capable of absolutely mind blowing no schooling of the arts just raw talent rip my elders rest on the world did not deserve you.

Love it! This was fun

BraaaaVOOOOOO!!!@🤗👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Rapping in 1943!

Is that Black Face 🤔😳😐

Count Basie…. Genius…

Good clean entertainment.

Dang they got Dorthy looking crazy lol 😂

Better than This New Today

Thats cold...and beautiful at the same time...😃 the original sandman... just goes to show you, you are not doing nothing new kid....

I love my people.

They always tryed to make us look dumb , but the joke on them.

Oh boy .....well it was during the war we had to prove that we did not think like hitler

I was entertained! Eve Arden and Susan Hayward.

There is a SCRIPTURE IN THE BIBLE THAT SAYS; WE ARE THEIR MUSIC!!! SOMEONE.. HELP ME , PLEASE!!!!

I hate the way he talks. 2:08

Nunca teremos músicas como antigamente,os cérebros estragados precisam ser reciclados para saberem o que é a verdadeira música e vozes maravilhosas!! Nessa época os artistas eram completos,cantavam,dançavam e atuavam! Acho que nesse ponto,regredimos!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂

Is this how apollo started

The original pushing p

Susan Hayward?

Sorry I didn't know that she was so light skinned

WTF!!!

Wonderful