Review of Syncopation (1942) by Amanda M — 23 Nov 2008

This is an odd little film and definitely part of the WWII propaganda (though disguised a little through WWI). There are some kind of cheesy montages and a little bit of overacting in places but the music (of which there is a lot!) is pretty spectacular, especially if you've only heard but never seen Gene Krupa on the drums.

Some spectacular dance scenes as well, one of which involves a knife fight. I must say, though, the structure of the film seemed to suggest how jazz was born out of slavery and oppression but ultimately will carry on through white people.