Directed by Joseph Kohn, who specialized in these music films, this was put together from several TV shorts and host segments with Willie Bryan were added. Bryan was the “Mayor of Harlem,” famous for being the host of the original Showtime at the Apollo, a 13-episode TV show that is where many of these songs originated.

This was an opportunity for white kids across the country to see and hear bands they may not get the chance to at the time. Well, if they wanted to go to all black movie houses. That said, it has a great mix of songs from this era, including Duke Ellington and His Orchestra playing “The Mooche,””Your Cash Ain’t Nothin’ But Trash” by The Clovers, “Only a Moment Ago” by Dinah Washington, Big Joe Turner playing “Okimoshebop,” Larry Darnell performing”What More Do You Want Me to Do,” “Only a Moment Ago” by Dinah Washington and Nat “King” Cole singing “The Trouble With Me Is You.”

Somehow, 21st Century ended up with the rights to this. Consider it your chance to see what rock and roll was in its nascent embryonic stage. There’s also another similar film that 21st Century also ended up owning, Rhythm and Blues Revue.

You can watch this on Tubi.