"Race movies," a genre unique to the United States between 1915 and 1947, were quite popular with black Southern audiences and in Northern industrial cities that had large African American communities. After the successful legal desegregation of the film industry in 1948, this type of movie vanished, literally. Today, only a fifth of the original 500 race films still exist.

SYNOPSES:

"Beware" (55 min.) - 1946. Ware College alumnus Louis Jordan brings his band to Ohio in an effort to save the financially-troubled institution. Classroom attendance soars once word gets out that Jordan is on campus, but the college CEO (and grandson of the founder) has other plans in the works.

"The Devil's Daughter" (51 min.) - 1939. A Harlem-born woman inherits a Jamaican banana plantation. After taking up residence there she is vexed by incessant drums, voodoo spells and a jealous half-sister.

"Hi-De-Ho" (63 min.) - 1947. Cab Calloway plays himself in this story of jealousy, intrigue and swing music. Cab hopes manager Nettie will help him become famous. Cab's girlfriend Minnie is jealous of the two, and imagines infidelities she seeks vengeance for. In between all this are some great songs by one of the finest bands ever.

"Reet, Petite, and Gone" (70 Min.) - 1947. When an old-time bandleader dies, a sleazy lawyer alters his will so that the man's son and girlfriend get nothing. A slight story that's used as backdrop for several musical numbers.