Stormy Weather

TCM's Alicia Malone introduces Stormy Weather, 1943.

Ben Mankiewicz introduces Stormy Weather, 1943.

Ben Mankiewicz introduces Stormy Weather, 1943.

Ben Mankiewicz introduces Stormy Weather, 1943.

Ben Mankiewicz introduces Stormy Weather, 1943.

The tune is called "Jumpin' Jive," Cab Calloway wrapping it up with his band as the Nicholas Brothers (Fayard and littler Harold) let loose, part of the big closing number in 20th Century-Fox's all-black musical Stormy Weather, 1943.

Bill Robinson and Dooley Wilson as soldiers home from World War One, celebrating in a New York club, the first song from Lena Horne as "Selina," a James P. Johnson composition, lyric by Ted Koehler, early in 20th Century-Fox's Stormy Weather, 1943.

Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson here as just the waiter hoping for a break, in a Memphis club where Fats Waller and Ada Brown play themselves, a tune by Nat Cole and Irving Mills, in the all-black 20th Century-Fox musical Stormy Weather, 1943.

First World War Vet "Bill" (Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson) on a riverboat headed for Memphis joins an outfit billed as "The Tramp Band" in the tune Linda Brown, credited to Alvis Cowens, about the only proper solo Robinson gets, in 20oth Century-Fox's Stormy Weather, 1943.