Taking a break from her M-G-M assignments, Lena Horne appears in this Official Films musical short, Boogie-Woogie Dream. After the nightclub closes for the night and a male-female dating couple are sleeping on the premises, dishwasher Lena and her co-workers, Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson, dream themselves in formal wear as Ammons and Johnson perform the title instrumental on their pianos. And they sound awesomely fine as they really rip into their piece! Then Lena sings "Unlucky Woman" with Ted Wilson and his Band as they also happen to be staying the night at the club. Pete and Albert join in as well. As the dream ends, and Lena, Albert, and Pete have finished playing, a phone rings, one of the male workers insists there's no one by that name, the now-awake female part of the sleeping couple takes the phone with the male also listening and the male then offers the three workers to report to his studio in the morning! The end. The print I saw was a little washed out but it was enjoyable nonetheless. Once again, Lena Horne can do no wrong. So on that note, I highly recommend Boogie-Woogie Dream. P.S. I'd like to point out that Albert Ammons and Virginia Pine, the lady who took the phone call, are both native to the city I was originally born in, Chicago.
4 Reviews
A Must for Music Lovers
vybdt25 December 2001
This movie short features the talented music of Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson, who play their composition "Boogie Woogie Dream".
In addition, Lena Horne is featured singing "Unlucky Woman" accompanied by Ammons, Johnson, and Teddy Wilson and His Band.
In addition, Lena Horne is featured singing "Unlucky Woman" accompanied by Ammons, Johnson, and Teddy Wilson and His Band.
Unique
boblipton28 July 2023
Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson play the title tune, their composition, and Lena Horne sings "Bad Luck Woman" with Teddy Wilson's orchestra backing her up.
What more do you want? Ammons and Johnson were two great performers, and this is the only movie they appeared in, and to listen to Miss Horne sing the blues is to hear them sung right. Yes, there's a bit of a story, of Ammons, Johnson, and Miss Horne being drudges at a jazz club, dreaming of being performers, leading into the actual performance. But is that really necessary for a great short subject? I think not.
Wilson and his orchestra are no slouches either.
What more do you want? Ammons and Johnson were two great performers, and this is the only movie they appeared in, and to listen to Miss Horne sing the blues is to hear them sung right. Yes, there's a bit of a story, of Ammons, Johnson, and Miss Horne being drudges at a jazz club, dreaming of being performers, leading into the actual performance. But is that really necessary for a great short subject? I think not.
Wilson and his orchestra are no slouches either.
Worth Watching for Horne
Michael_Elliott12 June 2010
Boogie-Woogie Dream (1944)
*** (out of 4)
Nice short from Official Films features Lena Horne is a pretty good role. A nightclub for white folks closes down so the dishwasher (Horne) and a couple co-workers come out to play some music not knowing that a couple people are still in there and can hear their music. Fans of Horne will certainly want to check this short out as we get a smoking version of "Unlucky Woman" with the actress giving some pure fire to the role. For the life of me I kept expecting her head to come off as her vocal range was amazing and she really made you feel like you should get up and dance. Teddy Wilson and His Band back her up and add a lot of fire as well. Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson play on the title track and make it well worth listening to as well. Apparently this was shot in 1941 but not released until after Horne became famous but either way this is certainly worth checking out.
*** (out of 4)
Nice short from Official Films features Lena Horne is a pretty good role. A nightclub for white folks closes down so the dishwasher (Horne) and a couple co-workers come out to play some music not knowing that a couple people are still in there and can hear their music. Fans of Horne will certainly want to check this short out as we get a smoking version of "Unlucky Woman" with the actress giving some pure fire to the role. For the life of me I kept expecting her head to come off as her vocal range was amazing and she really made you feel like you should get up and dance. Teddy Wilson and His Band back her up and add a lot of fire as well. Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson play on the title track and make it well worth listening to as well. Apparently this was shot in 1941 but not released until after Horne became famous but either way this is certainly worth checking out.
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