Check and Double Check

Check and Double Check is a 1930 comedy film that emerged as an amalgamation of radio, minstrel shows, and Vaudeville humor. This iconic film was directed by Melville W. Brown and featured a cast that included Freeman F. Gosden, Charles J. Correll, and Sue Carol. Their memorable performances endure as significant representations of early twentieth-century American humor.

The film is an extension of the radio show "Amos 'n' Andy", with Gosden and Correll reprising their roles from the radio program. Gosden and Correll, both white actors, play the roles of Amos Jones and Andrew Hogg Brown, respectively, two black men from the South who have relocated to Chicago in search of a better life. The pair's humorous misadventures and comedic conversations were central features of the film, offering viewers a generous helping of laughter.

In the original radio show, Gosden and Correll breathed life into their characters solely through the power of their voices and the vivaciousness of their scripting. However, in Check and Double Check, they brought their characters to a larger and more heterogeneous audience at a time when sound cinema was in its infancy. Despite performing in blackface – a contentious element of the film by today’s standards – the actors embodied their roles, offering audiences a comedy which was previously restricted to radio airwaves.

The introduction of Sue Carol's character offers another dimension to the plot. In addition to their business ventures, Amos and Andy become embroiled in a love story. Carol plays Ruby Taylor, the love interest of Duke Ellington – a jazz legend who also makes a cameo appearance in the film. As the plot unravels, the ensuing love triangle and a multitude of misunderstandings serve to heighten the comic elements further.

The movie incorporates a mix of smaller plotlines that seamlessly weave into the main storyline, contributing to the comedy and adding layers to the primary plot. A secret society meeting, a haunted house, and a treasure hunt are among the additional elements that the film's characters navigate, all contributing to the humorous situations that arise.

One special and noteworthy aspect of Check and Double Check is its musical score. The feature of Duke Ellington and his orchestra added a rich layer to the movie. Not only were they key to the plot line, but their music also provided the rhythm and pulse that seemed to move the narrative along. Jazz, syncopated beats, and thumping bass lines reveal the cultural cross-section of the era. Duke Ellington's performance of hit songs of the time, including "Ring Dem Bells" and "Old Man Blues", are highlights of the film and are especially appreciated by music enthusiasts.

Despite playing with racial stereotypes, the film is an invaluable source of information for film historians and critics interested in studying the evolution of ethnic humor in early cinema. Gosden and Correll’s portrayals of Amos and Andy, their situation and comedic style provide interesting insights into the public perception of race and comedy during the pre-war era.

In essence, Check and Double Check is a showcase of 1930s humor, through the lens of radio comedians turned film stars. This film, with its unique blend of theater, radio, and film comedy, is a milestone in the history of American comedy. Full of laughter, love, and music, it holds up a mirror to a past time, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in exploring the roots of American humor on the silver screen.