This DVD may be confusing
as, according to the sleeve-note, Cab Calloway
made two films called Hi-De-Ho. This
one is the later film, from 1947, when the
band included such artists as saxists Hilton
Jefferson and Sam "The Man" Taylor, as well
as long-term Calloway bassist Milt Hinton.
The film includes numerous shots of Cab's
band, although - as in most films of the period
- it looks as if they are doing a lot of miming.
The film is a game of two
halves. The first part has what the sleeve-note
calls a "tissue-thin plot" concerning Calloway's
disgruntled girlfriend and the competition
between two clubs to feature Cab's band. This
ends in an unconvincing shoot-out, in which
Calloway's girl is killed. The action is not
noted for political correctness, as there
are scenes of men (including Cab) hitting
women and treating them without respect.
After this flimsy story,
the action switches without explanation to
a New York club where the band leads a variety
show which includes singers and dancers, as
well as several band numbers. The value of
these is mainly in showing what a dynamic
performer Calloway was: singing, dancing and
scatting (whence his nickname of "The Hi-De-Ho
Man"). He throws himself into every song with
gusto and conducts the band with a baton so
long that it looks as if he may poke somebody
in the eye. He also overacts shamelessly in
performing St James Infirmary but its
very liveliness makes this one of the highspots
of the film.
Jazz fans may enjoy watching
Cab in action and they may even spot some
famous faces in the band, since the Calloway
organisation was famous for nurturing the
careers of many jazzmen. But musically the
film is unsatisfying because of the obvious
miming. It is primarily interesting in illustrating
why Cab Calloway's band was so popular - because
of the brilliance of some of its arrangements
and soloists, and because its leader was a
first-class entertainer.
Tony Augarde
CD Reviews
Storyville
Films 26053
