The first all-black talkie is an amusing enough musical comedy short that is put across thanks to Spencer Williams' larger than life personality. Some cute ideas would have been put across better by a more accomplished cast and crew, but it's still likable enough.
3 Reviews
Important Film
Michael_Elliott26 February 2008
Music Hath Harms (1929)
*** (out of 4)
One of the first all black sound films makes this a pretty important film but it also manages some nice music and laughs. A fast talking womanizer (Spencer Williams) claims to be one of the world's greatest musicians and is offered $500 to play two solos. He takes the job so that he can use the money to buy his girlfriend her own beauty parlor but the problem is that he can't play a lick. I'm really becoming a very big fan of Spencer Williams and once again he turns in a very charming performance here. There's some nice laughs at the final concert and the supporting cast are also entertaining. Nothing ground breaking but a pleasant little short.
*** (out of 4)
One of the first all black sound films makes this a pretty important film but it also manages some nice music and laughs. A fast talking womanizer (Spencer Williams) claims to be one of the world's greatest musicians and is offered $500 to play two solos. He takes the job so that he can use the money to buy his girlfriend her own beauty parlor but the problem is that he can't play a lick. I'm really becoming a very big fan of Spencer Williams and once again he turns in a very charming performance here. There's some nice laughs at the final concert and the supporting cast are also entertaining. Nothing ground breaking but a pleasant little short.
Music Hath Harms is quite a funny Spencer Williams short
tavm3 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Spencer Williams plays a "musician" who "plays" the cornet and wants to raise money for his fiancée (Roberta Hyson) to start a beauty parlor. The reason a couple of the words in my review are in quotes is because Williams is a con man who can't play that instrument and has to have someone play below in order to fool his audience. Since this is a comedy, and the character actually is quite charming, there are no real consequences for him. But it's so funny, one probably won't care. So on that note, Music Hath Harms is worth a look. It's on YouTube right now. Oh, and Ms. Hyson does a nice number during the opening credits.
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