frogherold (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Wonderful, what a great Sound.

freereeder (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Can't resist another point. In those days, it was almost unknown for an African-American performer to appear on screen with whites. unless in a servant or blue-collar position. (View any number of old videos.) But Minevitch pulled it off, with the great Ernie Morris (screen right). Minevitch must have really stood up to the Hays office!

freereeder (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

This is a medley. The first song is "One in a Million", title song of the film from which this clip was taken. (It also featured Olympic figure skater Sonja Henie, Adolphe Menjou, Don Ameche--who invented the telephone, and Jeam Hersholt-radio's Dr. Christian. There follows a brief snatch of Ravel's "Bolero", followed by "Limehouse Blues".

LathamJoe (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

From Wikipedia: Johnny Puleo...... "Born a dwarf in Washington, DC (he stood 4 feet 6 inches or 1.37 meters as an adult), he worked as a newspaper seller until being discovered at a contest in Boston held by bandleader Borrah Minnevitch, of The Harmonica Rascals..."

Pickinbuddy (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Johnny Puleo actually was not a midget! He was afflicted with that dreaded Polio as a child. Notice that his upper torso features are the normal size for a man.

jasobres (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I recognize the second song as "Limehouse Blues" but what's the first song?

LathamJoe (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Abolutely, my friend!

thegadgetrulez (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Thanks for the more specific info. It is amazing how retro music through the ages still is amazing in the 21st century. :)

LathamJoe (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

The "midget" was Johnny Puleo who was one of the most talented harmonica players ever, as well as a master of pantomine. He formed his own band called the "Harmonica gang" in the mid-Fifties. As a young boy I remember watching his incredible act on Ed Sullivan.

DECACOWBOY (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Awesome.... And I thought I could play the harmonica... By watching this and other music presentations, it has been giving me other perspectives in playing.