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{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{short description|1930 film}}
{{short description|1930 film}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Check and Double Check
| name = Check and Double Check
| image = CheckDoubleCheckPoster.jpg
| image = CheckDoubleCheckPoster.jpg

| image_size =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Melville W. Brown]]
| director = [[Melville W. Brown]]
Line 19: Line 19:
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
| budget = $967,000<ref name="rko">Richard Jewel, 'RKO Film Grosses: 1931-1951', ''Historical Journal of Film Radio and Television'', Vol 14 No 1, 1994 p56</ref>
| budget = $967,000<ref name="rko">Richard Jewell, 'RKO Film Grosses: 1931-1951', ''Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television'', Vol 14 No 1, 1994 p56</ref>
| gross = $1,810,000<ref name="rko"/>
| gross = $1,810,000<ref name="rko"/>
}}
}}
[[File:Check and Double Check.ogv|thumb|''Check and Double Check'']]
[[File:Check and Double Check (1930) by Melville W. Brown.webm|thumb|''Check and Double Check'']]
'''''Check and Double Check''''' is a 1930 American [[Pre-Code Hollywood|pre-Code]] [[comedy film]] produced and released by [[RKO Radio Pictures]] based on the ''[[Amos 'n' Andy]]'' [[old-time radio|radio show]]. The title was derived from a [[catchphrase]] associated with the show. Directed by [[Melville W. Brown]], from a screenplay by [[Bert Kalmar]], [[J. Walter Ruben]], and [[Harry Ruby]], it starred [[Charles Correll]] and [[Freeman Gosden]], in [[blackface]], in the roles of Andy and Amos, respectively, which they had created for the radio show. The film also featured [[Duke Ellington]] and his "Cotton Club Orchestra".
'''''Check and Double Check''''' is a 1930 American [[Pre-Code Hollywood|pre-Code]] [[comedy film]] produced and released by [[RKO Radio Pictures]], based on the ''[[Amos 'n' Andy]]'' [[old-time radio|radio show]]. The title was derived from a [[catchphrase]] associated with the show. Directed by [[Melville W. Brown]], from a screenplay by [[Bert Kalmar]], [[J. Walter Ruben]], and [[Harry Ruby]], it starred [[Freeman Gosden]] and [[Charles Correll]] in [[blackface]], in the roles of Amos Jones and Andy Brown, respectively, which they had created for the radio show. The film also featured [[Duke Ellington]] and his Cotton Club Orchestra.


==Plot==
==Plot==
Amos and Andy run the "Fresh Air Taxicab Company, Incorporated", so named because their one taxi has no top. Their old vehicle has broken down, causing a traffic jam. Stuck in the traffic jam are John Blair and his wife, who were on their way to meet an old family friend at the train station, Richard Williams. When the Blairs do not show up, he makes his own way to their house, where he meets their daughter, Jean, who was also his childhood sweetheart. The two reignite their old flame, much to the chagrin of Ralph Crawford, who has been attempting to woo Jean himself.
Amos and Andy run the "Fresh Air Taxicab Company, Incorpulated" [sic], so named because their one taxi has no top. Their old vehicle has broken down, causing a traffic jam. Stuck in the traffic jam are John Blair and his wife, who were on their way to meet an old family friend, Richard Williams, at the train station. When the Blairs don't show up, Williams makes his own way to their house and meets their daughter, Jean, who was also his childhood sweetheart. The two reignite their old flame, much to the chagrin of Ralph Crawford, who has been attempting to woo Jean himself.


That night, prior to attending a meeting at their lodge, the Mystic Knights of the Sea, they are hired to transport [[Duke Ellington]] and His Cotton Club band to a party being given at the Blair estate. While they are on their way, Richard is confiding to John Blair his feelings for his daughter, and also stating that he has no intention of pursuing Jean unless he can afford to start his own business to support them. After the death of his father, Richard's family lost all their money. He has come up to New York because his grandfather used to own a large home in Harlem, and he hopes to be able to find the deed to it, in order to sell it for the money needed to start his business. He thinks the deed must be hidden somewhere on the property itself. Unknown to Blair or Richard, is that Ralph is eavesdropping on their conversation.
That night, Amos and Andy plan to attend a meeting at their lodge, the Mystic Knights of the Sea. Brother member Kingfish hires them to transport [[Duke Ellington]] and his Cotton Club band to a party being given at the Blair estate. Meanwhile, Richard confides to John Blair his feelings for his daughter, and states that he has no intention of pursuing Jean unless he can afford to start his own business to support them. Richard's family lost all their money after the death of his father. Richard's grandfather used to own a large home in Harlem, and Richard hopes to find the deed to it, so that he can sell it for the capital needed to start his business. He thinks the deed must be hidden somewhere on the property itself. Unknown to Blair or Richard, Ralph is eavesdropping on their conversation.


After his discussion with Blair, Richard runs into Amos and Andy, who used to work for his father down south, and they are all happy to see one another. Having delivered their fare, the two cab drivers rush back to town to attend their lodge meeting. The lodge has an annual tradition where a pair of members must spend a night in a haunted house in Harlem, and find a document labeled, "Check and Double Check". Once they find it, they are to replace it, in a different location, with their own version, for the lodge members to find the following year. The haunted house in question in none other than the house previously owned by Richard's grandfather.
Richard runs into Amos and Andy, who used to work for his father down south, and they are all happy to see one another. Having delivered their fare, the two cab drivers rush back to town to attend their lodge meeting. The lodge has an annual tradition where a pair of members must spend a night in a haunted house in Harlem and find a document, labeled "Check and Double Check." Once they find it, they are to replace it, in a different location, with their own version, for the lodge members to find the following year. The haunted house in question in none other than the house previously owned by Richard's grandfather.


As Amos and Andy are searching for their document, Ralph is also in the house with several of his cohorts, searching for the deed, in order to thwart Richard's chances with Jean. Amos and Andy find their document, but then realize they did not bring any other paper to write their message on and secrete for their lodge brothers. In searching for something to write on, they stumble on the deed to premises. As they are about to write their message on the back, they are interrupted by Ralph and his friends, who believe that the two have found the deed. In the confusion which ensues, the cab drivers hand over what everyone believes is the deed, before they scamper out of the building. However, when they return to the lodge, they realize that they had given the Check and Double Check paper to Ralph, instead of the deed. They do not know the importance of the document they have, but they recognized Richard's grandfather's signature on it, and intend to deliver it to Richard the following day.
As Amos and Andy are searching for their document, Ralph is also in the house with several of his cohorts, searching for the deed, in order to thwart Richard's chances with Jean. Amos and Andy find their document, but then realize they didn't bring any other paper to write their message to their lodge brothers. In searching for something to write on, they stumble on the deed to premises. As they are about to write their message on the back, they are interrupted by Ralph and his friends, who believe that the two have found the deed. In the confusion which ensues, the cab drivers hand over what everyone believes is the deed, before they scamper out of the building. However, when they return to the lodge, they realize that they had given the "Check and Double Check" paper to Ralph, instead of the deed. They don't know the importance of the document they have, but they recognized Richard's grandfather's signature on it, and intend to deliver it to Richard the following day.


After failing to find the deed, a heartbroken Richard leaves for the railway station, intending to return home. Amos and Andy arrive at the Blair house too late to give him the deed, but race to the station and are able to hand over the deed just before Richard's train leaves. Now with the deed, Richard can sell the house, open his business, and marry Jean.
After failing to find the deed, a heartbroken Richard leaves for the railway station, intending to return home. Amos and Andy arrive at the Blair house too late to give him the deed, but race to the station and are able to hand over the deed just before Richard's train leaves. Now with the deed, Richard can sell the house, open his business, and marry Jean.
Line 41: Line 41:
* [[Charles J. Correll]] as Andy Brown
* [[Charles J. Correll]] as Andy Brown
* [[Sue Carol]] as Jean Blair
* [[Sue Carol]] as Jean Blair
* [[Irene Rich]] as Mrs Blair
* [[Irene Rich]] as Mrs. Blair
* [[Ralf Harolde]] as Ralph Crawford
* [[Ralf Harolde]] as Ralph Crawford
* [[Charles Morton (actor)|Charles Morton]] as Richard Williams
* [[Charles Morton (actor)|Charles Morton]] as Richard Williams
Line 55: Line 55:
==Production==
==Production==
{{Unreferenced section|date= August 2014}}
{{Unreferenced section|date= August 2014}}
The making of the picture posed several problems. Perhaps foremost was the fact that the characters of the program were portrayed as [[African Americans]] but were in fact entirely voiced by [[whites]]. This had posed no problem on the radio, but obviously would not be suitable for a film where the [[actor]]s could be seen as well as heard. Rather than hire black actors for the roles and instruct them to imitate to the maximum extent possible the very [[stereotype|stereotypical]] voices used by the radio performers, program creators [[Freeman Gosden]] and [[Charles Correll]] performed the roles themselves in [[blackface]].
The making of the picture posed several problems. Perhaps foremost was the fact that the characters of the program were portrayed as [[African Americans]] but were in fact entirely voiced by [[whites]]. This had posed no problem on the radio, but obviously would not be suitable for a film where the actors could be seen as well as heard. Rather than hire black actors for the roles and instruct them to imitate the [[stereotype|stereotypical]] voices used by the radio performers, program creators [[Freeman Gosden]] and [[Charles Correll]] performed the roles themselves in [[blackface]].


Another problem was the attempt to base a full-length picture on a 15-minute-long radio program. In order to do this, the film's producers decided to flesh out the story with a love triangle involving white characters, essentially making Amos and Andy minor characters in what was marketed as a film about them.
Another problem was the attempt to base a full-length picture on a 15-minute-long radio program. The film's producers decided to flesh out the story with a love triangle involving white characters, essentially making Amos and Andy minor characters in what was marketed as a film about them.


===Music===
===Music===
[[Duke Ellington]] and his band were invited to be a part of the film, not just to provide the music but also to appear performing in the film itself. This helped propel Ellington into a national spotlight.<ref name=AFI />
[[Duke Ellington]] and his band were invited to be a part of the film, not just to provide the music but also to appear performing in the film itself. This helped propel Ellington into a national spotlight.<ref name=AFI />


The director did not want to give audiences the impression that Ellington's band was racially integrated, and was worried that two band members were too light skinned. So valve trombonist [[Juan Tizol]], who was Puerto Rican, and clarinetist [[Barney Bigard]], a Creole, wore stage makeup to appear as dark as Amos and Andy on film.<ref name=TCM />
The director did not want to give audiences the impression that Ellington's band was racially integrated, and was worried that two band members were too light-skinned. So valve trombonist [[Juan Tizol]], who was Puerto Rican, and clarinetist [[Barney Bigard]], a Creole, wore stage makeup to appear as dark as Amos and Andy on film.<ref name=TCM />


The songs included:<ref name=AFI /><ref name=Theiapolis>{{cite web | url=http://cinema.theiapolis.com/movie-2MHT/check-and-double-check/ | title=Check and Double Check: Technical Details | publisher=theiapolis.com | accessdate=August 5, 2014 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://archive.today/20140811195542/http://cinema.theiapolis.com/movie-2MHT/check-and-double-check/ | archivedate=August 11, 2014 }}</ref>
The songs included:<ref name=AFI /><ref name=Theiapolis>{{cite web | url=http://cinema.theiapolis.com/movie-2MHT/check-and-double-check/ | title=Check and Double Check: Technical Details | publisher=theiapolis.com | accessdate=August 5, 2014 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://archive.today/20140811195542/http://cinema.theiapolis.com/movie-2MHT/check-and-double-check/ | archivedate=August 11, 2014 }}</ref>
*"[[Three Little Words (song)|Three Little Words]]" - Music by [[Harry Ruby]], lyrics by [[Bert Kalmar]]; performed by Duke Ellington and His Cotton Club Band, vocals by [[The Rhythm Boys]] ([[Bing Crosby]], [[Harry Barris]], and [[Al Rinker]]) (band members lip synched to the Rhythm Boys vocals)
*"[[Three Little Words (song)|Three Little Words]]" – Music by [[Harry Ruby]], lyrics by [[Bert Kalmar]]; performed by Duke Ellington and His Cotton Club Band, vocals by [[The Rhythm Boys]] ([[Bing Crosby]], [[Harry Barris]] and [[Al Rinker]]) (band members lip synched to the Rhythm Boys vocals)
*"Nobody Knows But the Lord" - Music by Harry Ruby, lyrics by Bert Kalmar; sung by lodge brothers
*"Nobody Knows But the Lord" – Music by Harry Ruby, lyrics by Bert Kalmar; sung by lodge brothers
*"Ring Dem Bells" - Written by Duke Ellington; performed by Duke Ellington and His Cotton Club Band
*"Ring Dem Bells" – Written by Duke Ellington; performed by Duke Ellington and His Cotton Club Band
*"Old Man Blues" - Written by Duke Ellington and [[Irving Mills]]; performed by Duke Ellington and His Cotton Club Band
*"Old Man Blues" – Written by Duke Ellington and [[Irving Mills]]; performed by Duke Ellington and His Cotton Club Band
*"East St. Louis Toodle-O" - Written by [[James "Bubber" Miley]] and Duke Ellington
*"East St. Louis Toodle-O" – Written by [[James "Bubber" Miley]] and Duke Ellington
*"[[Am I Blue?]]" - Music by [[Harry Akst]], lyrics by [[Grant Clarke]]; partially sung by Freeman F. Gosden
*"[[Am I Blue?]]" – Music by [[Harry Akst]], lyrics by [[Grant Clarke]]; partially sung by Freeman F. Gosden
*"The Perfect Song" - Words and music by [[Joseph Carl Breil]]; theme from the Amos and Andy radio program
*"The Perfect Song" – Words and music by [[Joseph Carl Breil]]; theme from the ''Amos 'n' Andy'' radio program

⚫
[[The Rhythm Boys]] ([[Bing Crosby]], [[Harry Barris]], and [[Al Rinker]]) were brought in at the last minute to sing the vocals on "Three Little Words", when Ellington's drummer, [[Sonny Greer]], got stage fright about performing on film.<ref name=AFI /> Bing Crosby was supposed to sing the song solo, but when director Melville Brown heard Crosby's version, he reportedly said, "This guy can't sing", and the entire trio was brought in to record the song.<ref name=TCM>{{cite web | url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/2651/Check-and-Double-Check/articles.html |title=Check and Double Check, Articles | publisher=Turner Classic Movies | accessdate=August 5, 2014 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805174046/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/2651/Check-and-Double-Check/articles.html | archivedate=August 5, 2014}}</ref>


==Response==
==Response==
The film was [[Profit (accounting)|profitable]] for RKO, earning a profit of $260,000.<ref name="rko"/> However, RKO examined ticket sale patterns and determined that the film's success was due to the curiosity factor of the audience wanting to see the black-face performances of their two radio stars, but once seen, the novelty was worn off.<ref name=RKO>{{cite book | title=The RKO Story | last1=Jewell | first1=Richard B. | last2=Harbin | first2=Vernon | publisher=Arlington House | year=1982 | place=New York | page=31 |isbn=0-517-546566}}</ref>
The film was [[Profit (accounting)|profitable]] for RKO, earning a profit of $260,000.<ref name="rko"/> However, Amos 'n' Andy had no future with the studio, and were branded a freak attraction good for one film only. RKO had examined ticket-sale patterns, and determined that audiences had only been curious about seeing their two radio favorites. Once seen, their novelty and appeal were gone.<ref name=RKO>{{cite book | title=The RKO Story | last1=Jewell | first1=Richard B. | last2=Harbin | first2=Vernon | publisher=Arlington House | year=1982 | place=New York | page=31 |isbn=0-517-546566}}</ref>


''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' called it "the best picture for children ever put on the screen".<ref name=AFI /> [[Mordaunt Hall]], film critic for ''[[The New York Times]]'', gave the film a lackluster review, praising the efforts of Gosden and Correll, while not being as kind to the rest of the cast.<ref name=nyt>{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9903EFD61E3FE432A25752C0A9679D946194D6CF | work=[[The New York Times]] | last=Hall | first=Mordaunt | title=Check and Double Check: Amos 'N' Andy Open Mayfair Theatre | date=November 1, 1930 | accessdate=August 5, 2014 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805173251/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9903EFD61E3FE432A25752C0A9679D946194D6CF | archivedate=August 5, 2014}}</ref>
''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' called it "the best picture for children ever put on the screen".<ref name=AFI /> [[Mordaunt Hall]], film critic for ''[[The New York Times]]'', gave the film a lackluster review, praising the efforts of Gosden and Correll, while not being as kind to the rest of the cast.<ref name=nyt>{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9903EFD61E3FE432A25752C0A9679D946194D6CF | work=[[The New York Times]] | last=Hall | first=Mordaunt | title=Check and Double Check: Amos 'N' Andy Open Mayfair Theatre | date=November 1, 1930 | accessdate=August 5, 2014 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805173251/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9903EFD61E3FE432A25752C0A9679D946194D6CF | archivedate=August 5, 2014}}</ref> Gosden and Correll were themselves ashamed of the film, with Gosden calling it "just about the worst movie ever," but it didn't hurt their continued popularity on radio.


Two [[animation|animated]] [[short film]]s were made following ''Check and Double Check'': ''[[The Rasslin' Match]]'' and ''[[The Lion Tamer]]''. However, no [[sequel]] was ever produced and there were no further attempts at live-action portrayals of ''Amos 'n' Andy'' until the [[The Amos 'n Andy Show|CBS television show which ran from 1951–1953]], although the radio show continued to be a top-rated program throughout the 1930s and 1940s.<ref name=AFI /><ref name=TCM />
RKO did release two short subjects related to the ''Amos 'n' Andy'' franchise. These were [[animation|animated]] cartoons produced by [[The Van Beuren Corporation]] in 1934: ''[[The Rasslin' Match]]'' and ''[[The Lion Tamer]]''. Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll recorded their own dialect voices for the soundtracks. However, the projected series ended after only the two films. Gosden and Correll made one more motion-appearance (as guest stars in ''[[The Big Broadcast of 1936]]''), but there were no further attempts at live-action portrayals of Amos 'n' Andy until the ''Amos 'n' Andy'' television show (1951–1953), although the radio show continued to be a top-rated program throughout the 1930s and 1940s.<ref name=AFI /><ref name=TCM />


==Notes==
==Revivals==
In 1955 the RKO film library was sold to [[C&C Group|C&C Television Corporation]], which syndicated 16mm film prints to local television stations. Included in the package was ''Check and Double Check'', which was telecast through the rest of the decade and into the 1960s while ''Amos 'n' Andy'' still had a following on television. After the TV show was withdrawn due to civil-rights considerations, most local stations owning the RKO library opted to withdraw ''Check and Double Check'' as well.
⚫
In 1958, the film entered the [[List of films in the public domain in the United States|public domain in the United States]] because the claimants did not renew its [[copyright registration]] in the 28th year after publication.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Pierce |first=David |date=June 2007 |title=Forgotten Faces: Why Some of Our Cinema Heritage Is Part of the Public Domain |journal=Film History: An International Journal |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=125–43 |issn=0892-2160 |oclc=15122313 |jstor=25165419 |doi=10.2979/FIL.2007.19.2.125 |s2cid=191633078 }} See Note #60, pg. 143</ref>


⚫
In 1958, the film entered the [[List of films in the public domain in the United States|public domain in the United States]] because the claimants did not renew its [[copyright registration]] in the 28th year after publication.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Pierce |first=David |date=June 2007 |title=Forgotten Faces: Why Some of Our Cinema Heritage Is Part of the Public Domain |journal=Film History: An International Journal |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=125–43 |issn=0892-2160 |oclc=15122313 |jstor=25165419 |doi=10.2979/FIL.2007.19.2.125 |s2cid=191633078 }} See Note #60, pg. 143</ref> Because of the film's copyright-free status, film merchants copied C&C Television prints of ''Check and Double Check'' for the home-movie market, and later for home video. Because ''Check and Double Check'' is no longer exhibited in public, fans of Gosden and Correll can only see the film in private showings.
⚫
[[The Rhythm Boys]] ([[Bing Crosby]], [[Harry Barris]], and [[Al Rinker]]), were brought in at the last minute to sing the vocals on "Three Little Words", when Ellington's drummer, [[Sonny Greer]], got stage fright about performing on film.<ref name=AFI /> After Greer couldn't get over his fright, Bing Crosby was supposed to sing the song solo, but when Melville Brown, the director, heard Crosby's version, he reportedly said, "This guy can't sing", and the entire trio was brought in to record the song.<ref name=TCM>{{cite web | url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/2651/Check-and-Double-Check/articles.html |title=Check and Double Check, Articles | publisher=Turner Classic Movies | accessdate=August 5, 2014 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805174046/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/2651/Check-and-Double-Check/articles.html | archivedate=August 5, 2014}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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* {{Internet Archive film|id=ClassicCinemaOnline_CheckAndDoubleCheck}}
* {{Internet Archive film|id=ClassicCinemaOnline_CheckAndDoubleCheck}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|id=check_and_double_check}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|id=check_and_double_check}}
* {{Amg movie|9049|Check and Double Check}}


[[Category:1930 films]]
[[Category:1930 films]]
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[[Category:American black-and-white films]]
[[Category:American black-and-white films]]
[[Category:American comedy films]]
[[Category:American comedy films]]
⚫
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Blackface minstrel shows and films]]
[[Category:Blackface minstrel shows and films]]
Line 110: Line 110:
[[Category:Films based on radio series]]
[[Category:Films based on radio series]]
[[Category:1930s English-language films]]
[[Category:1930s English-language films]]
⚫
[[Category:1930s American films]]
[[Category:Amos 'n' Andy]]

Latest revision as of 19:08, 21 December 2024

Check and Double Check
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMelville W. Brown
Written byBert Kalmar
J. Walter Ruben
Harry Ruby
Produced byWilliam LeBaron
StarringCharles Correll
Freeman Gosden
CinematographyWilliam Marshall
Edited byClaude Berkeley
Production
company
Distributed byRKO Radio Pictures
Release date
  • October 25, 1930 (1930-10-25)[1]
Running time
77 mins.
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$967,000[2]
Box office$1,810,000[2]
Check and Double Check

Check and Double Check is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy film produced and released by RKO Radio Pictures, based on the Amos 'n' Andy radio show. The title was derived from a catchphrase associated with the show. Directed by Melville W. Brown, from a screenplay by Bert Kalmar, J. Walter Ruben, and Harry Ruby, it starred Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll in blackface, in the roles of Amos Jones and Andy Brown, respectively, which they had created for the radio show. The film also featured Duke Ellington and his Cotton Club Orchestra.

Plot

[edit]

Amos and Andy run the "Fresh Air Taxicab Company, Incorpulated" [sic], so named because their one taxi has no top. Their old vehicle has broken down, causing a traffic jam. Stuck in the traffic jam are John Blair and his wife, who were on their way to meet an old family friend, Richard Williams, at the train station. When the Blairs don't show up, Williams makes his own way to their house and meets their daughter, Jean, who was also his childhood sweetheart. The two reignite their old flame, much to the chagrin of Ralph Crawford, who has been attempting to woo Jean himself.

That night, Amos and Andy plan to attend a meeting at their lodge, the Mystic Knights of the Sea. Brother member Kingfish hires them to transport Duke Ellington and his Cotton Club band to a party being given at the Blair estate. Meanwhile, Richard confides to John Blair his feelings for his daughter, and states that he has no intention of pursuing Jean unless he can afford to start his own business to support them. Richard's family lost all their money after the death of his father. Richard's grandfather used to own a large home in Harlem, and Richard hopes to find the deed to it, so that he can sell it for the capital needed to start his business. He thinks the deed must be hidden somewhere on the property itself. Unknown to Blair or Richard, Ralph is eavesdropping on their conversation.

Richard runs into Amos and Andy, who used to work for his father down south, and they are all happy to see one another. Having delivered their fare, the two cab drivers rush back to town to attend their lodge meeting. The lodge has an annual tradition where a pair of members must spend a night in a haunted house in Harlem and find a document, labeled "Check and Double Check." Once they find it, they are to replace it, in a different location, with their own version, for the lodge members to find the following year. The haunted house in question in none other than the house previously owned by Richard's grandfather.

As Amos and Andy are searching for their document, Ralph is also in the house with several of his cohorts, searching for the deed, in order to thwart Richard's chances with Jean. Amos and Andy find their document, but then realize they didn't bring any other paper to write their message to their lodge brothers. In searching for something to write on, they stumble on the deed to premises. As they are about to write their message on the back, they are interrupted by Ralph and his friends, who believe that the two have found the deed. In the confusion which ensues, the cab drivers hand over what everyone believes is the deed, before they scamper out of the building. However, when they return to the lodge, they realize that they had given the "Check and Double Check" paper to Ralph, instead of the deed. They don't know the importance of the document they have, but they recognized Richard's grandfather's signature on it, and intend to deliver it to Richard the following day.

After failing to find the deed, a heartbroken Richard leaves for the railway station, intending to return home. Amos and Andy arrive at the Blair house too late to give him the deed, but race to the station and are able to hand over the deed just before Richard's train leaves. Now with the deed, Richard can sell the house, open his business, and marry Jean.

Cast

[edit]

(Cast list as per AFI database)[1]

Production

[edit]

The making of the picture posed several problems. Perhaps foremost was the fact that the characters of the program were portrayed as African Americans but were in fact entirely voiced by whites. This had posed no problem on the radio, but obviously would not be suitable for a film where the actors could be seen as well as heard. Rather than hire black actors for the roles and instruct them to imitate the stereotypical voices used by the radio performers, program creators Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll performed the roles themselves in blackface.

Another problem was the attempt to base a full-length picture on a 15-minute-long radio program. The film's producers decided to flesh out the story with a love triangle involving white characters, essentially making Amos and Andy minor characters in what was marketed as a film about them.

Music

[edit]

Duke Ellington and his band were invited to be a part of the film, not just to provide the music but also to appear performing in the film itself. This helped propel Ellington into a national spotlight.[1]

The director did not want to give audiences the impression that Ellington's band was racially integrated, and was worried that two band members were too light-skinned. So valve trombonist Juan Tizol, who was Puerto Rican, and clarinetist Barney Bigard, a Creole, wore stage makeup to appear as dark as Amos and Andy on film.[3]

The songs included:[1][4]

  • "Three Little Words" – Music by Harry Ruby, lyrics by Bert Kalmar; performed by Duke Ellington and His Cotton Club Band, vocals by The Rhythm Boys (Bing Crosby, Harry Barris and Al Rinker) (band members lip synched to the Rhythm Boys vocals)
  • "Nobody Knows But the Lord" – Music by Harry Ruby, lyrics by Bert Kalmar; sung by lodge brothers
  • "Ring Dem Bells" – Written by Duke Ellington; performed by Duke Ellington and His Cotton Club Band
  • "Old Man Blues" – Written by Duke Ellington and Irving Mills; performed by Duke Ellington and His Cotton Club Band
  • "East St. Louis Toodle-O" – Written by James "Bubber" Miley and Duke Ellington
  • "Am I Blue?" – Music by Harry Akst, lyrics by Grant Clarke; partially sung by Freeman F. Gosden
  • "The Perfect Song" – Words and music by Joseph Carl Breil; theme from the Amos 'n' Andy radio program

The Rhythm Boys (Bing Crosby, Harry Barris, and Al Rinker) were brought in at the last minute to sing the vocals on "Three Little Words", when Ellington's drummer, Sonny Greer, got stage fright about performing on film.[1] Bing Crosby was supposed to sing the song solo, but when director Melville Brown heard Crosby's version, he reportedly said, "This guy can't sing", and the entire trio was brought in to record the song.[3]

Response

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The film was profitable for RKO, earning a profit of $260,000.[2] However, Amos 'n' Andy had no future with the studio, and were branded a freak attraction good for one film only. RKO had examined ticket-sale patterns, and determined that audiences had only been curious about seeing their two radio favorites. Once seen, their novelty and appeal were gone.[5]

Variety called it "the best picture for children ever put on the screen".[1] Mordaunt Hall, film critic for The New York Times, gave the film a lackluster review, praising the efforts of Gosden and Correll, while not being as kind to the rest of the cast.[6] Gosden and Correll were themselves ashamed of the film, with Gosden calling it "just about the worst movie ever," but it didn't hurt their continued popularity on radio.

RKO did release two short subjects related to the Amos 'n' Andy franchise. These were animated cartoons produced by The Van Beuren Corporation in 1934: The Rasslin' Match and The Lion Tamer. Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll recorded their own dialect voices for the soundtracks. However, the projected series ended after only the two films. Gosden and Correll made one more motion-appearance (as guest stars in The Big Broadcast of 1936), but there were no further attempts at live-action portrayals of Amos 'n' Andy until the Amos 'n' Andy television show (1951–1953), although the radio show continued to be a top-rated program throughout the 1930s and 1940s.[1][3]

Revivals

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In 1955 the RKO film library was sold to C&C Television Corporation, which syndicated 16mm film prints to local television stations. Included in the package was Check and Double Check, which was telecast through the rest of the decade and into the 1960s while Amos 'n' Andy still had a following on television. After the TV show was withdrawn due to civil-rights considerations, most local stations owning the RKO library opted to withdraw Check and Double Check as well.

In 1958, the film entered the public domain in the United States because the claimants did not renew its copyright registration in the 28th year after publication.[7] Because of the film's copyright-free status, film merchants copied C&C Television prints of Check and Double Check for the home-movie market, and later for home video. Because Check and Double Check is no longer exhibited in public, fans of Gosden and Correll can only see the film in private showings.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Check and Double Check: Detail View". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on August 19, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c Richard Jewell, 'RKO Film Grosses: 1931-1951', Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, Vol 14 No 1, 1994 p56
  3. ^ a b c "Check and Double Check, Articles". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on August 5, 2014. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  4. ^ "Check and Double Check: Technical Details". theiapolis.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2014. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  5. ^ Jewell, Richard B.; Harbin, Vernon (1982). The RKO Story. New York: Arlington House. p. 31. ISBN 0-517-546566.
  6. ^ Hall, Mordaunt (November 1, 1930). "Check and Double Check: Amos 'N' Andy Open Mayfair Theatre". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 5, 2014. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  7. ^ Pierce, David (June 2007). "Forgotten Faces: Why Some of Our Cinema Heritage Is Part of the Public Domain". Film History: An International Journal. 19 (2): 125–43. doi:10.2979/FIL.2007.19.2.125. ISSN 0892-2160. JSTOR 25165419. OCLC 15122313. S2CID 191633078. See Note #60, pg. 143
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