Topic: Jim Jackson King Vidors Hallelujah?

[Dom Boggs]

Hi im new to the forum...i was a loyal listener to the juke radio.
Anyhow my question is for anyone who has heard Jim Jackson and seen the 1929 movie Hallelujah. Jim Jackson is supposedly in the film. Everytime i watch the movie i cannot spot him. Is he playing guitar? or is he just an actor in it?
any help would be great, he is one of my favorites.

~ Dom

[Slack]

Hi Dom, I have not seen the movie -- but welcome to the forum!

[Bunker Hill]

Sorry to appear out of touch with such matters but what is the original source of this information? I know about his 1918 "Jim Jackson's Affinity" vaudeville sketch but have obviously missed out on the Hallelujah information! Can somebody enlighten me please? In anticipation.

[uncle bud]

There is a reference to Jackson being in the film here http://www.nps.gov/history/delta/blues/people/jim_jackson.htm though no attribution. imdb.com lists Victoria Spivey as a cast member but not Jackson (though it's no doubt not a comprehensive cast list). http://imdb.com/title/tt0019959/fullcredits#cast

And welcome, Mr. Crump!

[Bunker Hill]

There is a reference to Jackson being in the film here http://www.nps.gov/history/delta/blues/people/jim_jackson.htm though no attribution. imdb.com lists Victoria Spivey as a cast member but not Jackson (though it's no doubt not a comprehensive cast list). http://imdb.com/title/tt0019959/fullcredits#cast

Thanks Andrew. If in doubt where would internet blues authors find their information? Wikipedia where else. The Wiki entry is as near as damn it the same as at NPS. Wiki list the source of their information as coming from the All Music Guide. AMG contributor Cub Koda cites nothing to back this up. I'm back to square one, what is the provenance of this assertion? Did I hear someone say "who cares?"

[uncle bud]

Maybe this is why Mr. Crump can't find Jim Jackson in the actual movie. 

[Dom Boggs]

Yea i guess he is not in it. Every little thing i have read about him states that he was in the film. It could be hogwash who knows. Thanks for the help.
also bunker hill-Jim Jackson's Affinity was recorded in 1918? That is in interesting piece. What else can you tell me about it.

[banjochris]

I own the movie and have never spied Jim Jackson or Cannon's Jug Stompers (who I've also seen referred to in connection with this film) in it. There is a scene with harmonica playing, but I don't know who it is.

Victoria Spivey has a fairly major role in the film. I recommend the movie - it is very much of its time in many of its racial prejudices but does make some effort to treat its characters as real people. It's notable for having an all-black cast and even more notable (considering it was made in 1929 at the dawn of the sound era) for being shot mostly on location, in Memphis and the surrounding area, IIRC. How the blues singers got connected with the movie in these reference books I have no idea, but maybe they were around playing for members of the production.
Chris

[Dom Boggs]

banjochris are you chris berry on myspace ?

[banjochris]

banjochris are you chris berry on myspace ?

Yes.

[Dom Boggs]

I run the Ishmon Bracey & 78 radio page on there. Im gonna watch the movie again and see if i can spot anything.

[Bunker Hill]

also bunker hill-Jim Jackson's Affinity was recorded in 1918? That is in interesting piece. What else can you tell me about it.

About 15-20 years ago Guido van Rijn unearthed this and discussed it for Blues & Rhythm transcribing the JJ "routine". I'll hunt it down.

[Bunker Hill]

He's not named in the cast list at IMDB, though he may have been a "bit part" I guess:

Daniel L. Haynes ... Zekial 'Zeke' Johnson
Nina Mae McKinney ... Chick
William Fountaine ... Hot Shot
Harry Gray ... Pappy 'Parson' Johnson
Fanny Belle DeKnight ... Mammy Johnson
Everett McGarrity ... Spunk Johnson
Victoria Spivey ... Missy Rose
Milton Dickerson ... Johnson child
Robert Couch ... Johnson child
Walter Tait ... Johnson child
Dixie Jubilee Singers ... Group performers
Matthew 'Stymie' Beard ... Child (uncredited)
Evelyn Pope Burwell ... Singer (uncredited)
Eddie Conners ... Singer (uncredited)
William Allen Garrison ... Heavy (uncredited)
Eva Jessye ... Singer (uncredited)
Sam McDaniel ... Adam (uncredited)
Blue Washington ... Church Member (uncredited)