Black and Tan (film)

The film is thought to express the emergence of African-American artists in New York City during the Harlem Renaissance.

When she offers them gin (the film is set during the Prohibition era), they take it and leave, promising to say nothing of this and to claim nobody was at home when they came by.

Shown as deeply in love with Ellington, the dancer is revealed to have a heart condition that puts her at risk.

"[5] She later dies in their apartment as the band and a vocal chorus render Duke's new piece, “Black and Tan Fantasy”.

(Gen 3291) Murphy used much of the same set and production crew as for his other 1929 film, St. Louis Blues, featuring Bessie Smith.

The film emphasizes the music and symbolism of African-American influence on jazz, the struggle and rage of people in 1920s Harlem, and some realities for African Americans, such as the Cotton Club being a place where they were hired to entertain, prepare food and drink, and serve, but were not accepted as customers.