Cab Calloway & Band Perform in Pajamas! (1933)

Early musical shorts such as this were made to be shown as filler for theater film programs. Because of this they were never widely seen. They frequently depicted subject matter that would be considered taboo in the ensuing Hays/Breen Code years, such as interracial romance. I initially thought this video was an example of this, until someone pointed out that the woman playing the porter's wife was Fredi Washington, a light-skinned black woman. Washington can be seen playing Duke Ellington's wife in another early soundie.

I've come across several songs and soundies from this era that revolved around the theme of the randy wife of an absent Pullman porter. It almost appears as though this scenario was as much a part of humor culture as the traveling salesman/farmer's daughter routine.

Now fire up your Homefire Radio and enjoy Cab and the gang!

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• cab calloway
• cotton club
• fredi washington
• pajamas
• train
• pullman porter
• homefire radio
• lady with the fan
• hi-de-ho
• 1933

[josephnathanscott]

Hi. Considering that actress Fredi Washington was a light-skinned "black" woman and that many "black" women wore their hair like this in the early '30s, I don't think it's reasonable to claim that this was supposed to represent an interracial romance.

[lstash]

@josephnathanscott Thanks for the insight about Fredi Washington, josephnathanscott. I had no idea who she was, but have since done some research. Seems she was frequently mistaken as being white (some say she was mulatto), and would sometimes darken her skin with makeup for "black" roles. Ironically, Cab has lightening makeup on for this role! I've updated this video's info to mention Washington's identity. Thanks again.

[BenjaminCWRuhe]

Holy Toledo. Now that's really something - remarkably great post/share, many Thanks Istash. Cheers.

[mrsmagloo]

I just watched Fredi in "Imitation of Life" yesterday and was blown away by her acting. I was surprised to discover she really was African-American. I can't believe they actually darkened her skin! Today, it would be akin to making Obama look blacker.

[jaguar42081]

what movie is this from?

[PRUDENCE19831]

Fredi Washington was FINE!