Juke Joint

Dir. Spencer Williams. 1947, 68 mins. U.S. DCP sourced from the G. William Jones Film and Video Collection at Southern Methodist University. With Spencer Williams, July Jones, Inez Newell, Dauphine Moore, Katherine Moore, Leonard Duncan, Howard Galloway, Red Calhoun. Named for a tavern or roadhouse with music for Black people, this was the ninth feature directed by Spencer Williams, who also starred in the film. This all-Black–cast comedy, set in Texas, follows two men (Williams and Jones) who venture into the Southwest to make more than the 25 cents in their pockets. Posing as theatrical experts, they offer tips to local beauty pageant contestant Barbara “Honeydew” Holiday (Dauphine Moore) in exchange for room and board at her family residence. Florida (Katherine Moore), the other daughter, is propositioned by the owner of a juke joint, who wants to take her to Chicago, but the two ”theatrical experts” and Mama Lou Holiday (Newell) step in to help keep the family intact. With performances by legendary jazz band Red Calhoun’s Orchestra and the Jitterbug Johnnies, this film is culturally significant for representing Black culture of its era in Texas.

Content warning: The film depicts negative stereotypes of Black people.  

Tickets: $15 / $11 senior and students / $9 youth (ages 3–17) / free for MoMI members at the Senior/Student level and above. There is a $1.50 transaction fee per ticket for all online purchases. The cost of admission may be applied toward a same-day purchase of a membership. 

Order tickets. Please pick up tickets at the Museum’s admissions desk upon arrival. All seating is general admission. 

Join us for a double feature presentation of Spencer Williams’s Juke Joint and The Blood of Jesus, if you purchase this discounted combination ticket here.