Rufus Jones for President

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[ImJustAnotherOkie]

This is on right now on TCM. You can get to it through their web site too.

This is too much.

[BenLurkin]

Rufus? Tell me something good.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

I can’t say any more. I’d get kicked off.

[nopardons]

BTTT

[AppyPappy]

Rufus R “Freight Train” Jones? Does his son Slick The Doctor Of Style know this?

[dennisw]

ping

[CletusVanDamme]

Slick, one of the memorable wrestling managers of the 1980s.

[UnwashedPeasant]

Here it is for you cable cutters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nV_McQIGPc

“Rufus Jones for President” is a 1933 American Pre-Code satirical musical-comedy, clocking in at 21 minutes. The film was directed by Roy Mack, and starred Ethel Waters and 7-year-old Sammy Davis Jr., in his first onscreen appearance, as the title character. The film’s tone may appear racially insensitive to some of today’s audiences, even though though it appears to have been made for black audiences.

It was likely just as offensive to blacks in the 1930s as Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam were to whites in the 30s and 40s.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufus_Jones_for_President

[MikelTackNailer]

From IMDB:

Rufus Jones for President 1933, 21 minutes

Rufus Jones, a black child, is elected President of the United States in this short musical comedy. The film features song and dance numbers by a seven year old Sammy Davis Jr.

A few quotes:

Rufus Supporter: I am happy to announce that Rufus Jones has been elected de President. Where? Where is dat new President?
Henry: 'Ere 'e is.
Rufus Supporter: Well, come here, Prez. You got to say sumthin' to your con-stit-chu-on-say.
Rufus Jones: [singing] I be glad when you dead, you rascal, you! I be glad when you dead, you rascal, you! I'll be standin' on the corner high, When they bring your body by, I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!

Mother of Rufus Jones: We have now constituted a Watermelon Investigator. It will be his duty to plant the watermelon vines near the fence instead of in the middle of the patch.
Henry: Oh, but, Presidentists, its gonna take a long time to do all of this. So, what shall we do in the meantime?
Mother of Rufus Jones: Remove the fences.

Rufus Supporter: Now, swear to me, that you'll not be nice, to anyone caught with loaded dice.
Rufus Jones: I do. Yeah, man, I do!
Rufus Supporter: Now, if there is no argooment, I pronounce Rufus Jones, for the President

Rufus Supporter: Now, make a law, without no loops, that they'll be no law, on the chicken coops.

Mother of Rufus Jones: I am also rarin' to take up wit you'all some matters of the most inconspicuous 'mportance. First, we'll add to our official family, a Commissioner of Poultry.

Black Senator: Eh, what is de duties of de Commissioner of, eh, Poultry?

Mother of Rufus Jones: Oh, eh, its de duty to see that all the pad locks is furst removed from de coops.

Black Senator: Right! 'Cause when a chicken is in a hurry, he don't wanna be bothered with no pad lock.

Rufus Supporter: When I get through, son, I declare dat you whill be de President. Now, furst of all, swear to me, from now on, pork chops will be free.
Rufus Jones: I do. I do.

(While all that's atrocious by today's standards I was surprised how some things remain much the same 90 years later.)

Mother of Rufus Jones: [singing] We also drink our gin, puff our reefers, when we're feelin' low, Then we're ready to step out and take charge of any so-and-so, Don't stop for law, nor traffic, when we're rarin' to go...

Mother of Rufus Jones: [singing] We don't pick no cotton; Pickin' cotton is taboo, All we pick is numbers, And that includes you white folks too, 'Cause if we hit, Then we pay our rent on any avenue, if we hit...

Mother of Rufus Jones: [singing] Once we wore bandanas, Now we wear Parisian hats, Once we were barefoot, Now we're sporting shoes and spats, Once we were Republicans, But now we're Democrats...

(In this short's defense it showcases the phenomenal talent of then-seven year old Sammy Davis Jr.)

[Beowulf9]

I would’ve rather him than Biden or laughing puss.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

I liked the two pork chops every time you vote.

[Orosius]

I saw this at a screening in LA back in the 70’s with an all black audience. It was pandemonium, they loved it so much. Especially tiny Sammy Davis Jr.