A sad part of history is that in much of the United States, movie theaters used to be segregated. In some, non-white patrons were forced to sit in the balcony. In others, non-whites weren't allowed at all and needed to go to special theaters where mostly black audiences would go. But instead of watching the latest Hollywood product, many of these theaters would instead show films starring all-black casts. Unfortunately, the tiny studios that made them couldn't afford great productions.
One of these black films is "Sepia Cinderella". While I've seen a few dozen films made for black theaters, I sought this one out specifically because Sidney Poitier is an extra...and it's his first film appearance. The problem is...you have to spot him in the audience of the night club scenes. Perhaps you could watch it with friends and you all could search for him....as well as Freddie Bartholomew!
The story is a familiar sort of movie. A bandleader/composer strikes it big with one song. But instead of keeping his head, he allows this success to make his head swell...and he forgets those he's left behind. Can he manage to do the right thing and live happily ever after?
Like most such movies, the acting is very uneven. Some actors had trouble delivering their lines...a few, such as the comedians and a few of the singers, came off better. Overall, the movie is pretty much what you'd expect from such a low budgeted B-movie. It's okay...but nothing more. In fact, it's more of a curiosity than a great film.
