Original Toddy Pictures 1940s Re-Release Scene Lobby Card (11×14) for the Leo C. Popkin comedy/drama, REFORM SCHOOL (1939) starring Louise Beavers, Reginald Fenderson, Monte Hawley, and Eugene Jackson. Like many of the all-black films of the 1930′s, this film was sparsely produced and unevenly acted. Beavers heads the cast as Mother Barton—a reform-minded matron who tries to improve the conditions in a rundown reformatory. The young reform school inmates are billed as the “Harlem Tuff Kids”—an obvious homage to the all-white “Dead End Kids.” The film was re-released by Toddy Pictures in the 1940s under the title, PRISON BAIT. This original scene lobby card is in very fine condition.

Original Toddy Pictures Scene Lobby Card (11×14) for the Dewey “Pigmeat” Markham comedy short, PIGMEAT’S LAUGH HEPCATS (1947) starring Markham, Monte Hawley, Lillian Randolph, and Vernon McCalla. Pigmeat Markham was a burly burlesque comedian who began his show business career as a tap dancer before breaking into black vaudeville. His nickname “Pigmeat” came from a comedy sketch where he declared himself “Sweet Poppa Pigmeat” onstage, and the nickname stuck. This original scene lobby card with Pigmeat Markham scratching his head is in very fine condition.

Original Toddy Pictures Scene Lobby Card (11×14) for the African-American musical comedy, HOUSE-RENT PARTY (1946)—starring Pigmeat Markham, John “Rastus” Murray, Claude Demetri, and Rudolph Toombs. Musical acts appearing in the film include Macbeth’s Calypso Band (featuring Lord Invador), Alberta Pryne, and Ozzy Mallon’s Jitterbugs. House-rent parties formed the backbone of Harlem nightlife from the 1920′s through the 1940′s. For a reasonable admission, plus the cost of liquor and food, guests could dance, flirt, and gamble, while the hosts collected enough money to pay the landlord. This original scene lobby card is in fine plus condition. There is a scratch across the card surface. Priced accordingly. An easy fix for conservation. Ask us about poster restoration and conservation.

Original Toddy Pictures Scene Lobby Card (11×14) for the African-American musical comedy, HOUSE-RENT PARTY (1946)—starring Pigmeat Markham, John “Rastus” Murray, Claude Demetri, and Rudolph Toombs. Musical acts appearing in the film include Macbeth’s Calypso Band (featuring Lord Invador), Alberta Pryne, and Ozzy Mallon’s Jitterbugs. House-rent parties formed the backbone of Harlem nightlife from the 1920′s through the 1940′s. For a reasonable admission, plus the cost of liquor and food, guests could dance, flirt, and gamble, while the hosts collected enough money to pay the landlord. This original scene lobby card is in very fine condition.

Original Toddy Pictures Re-Release (late 40s/ early 50s) One Sheet Poster (27×41) for the Jed Buell African-American comedy, MR. WASHINGTON GOES TO TOWN (1941)– starring F. E. Miller, Mantan Moreland, and Marguerite Whitten. Dixie Pictures made this film in 1941 and the title has become well known among fans of The Separate Cinema. This one sheet shows Toddy Pictures as the distributor and, as such, this is clearly a re-release poster. Our guess is late forties or early fifties. Nice line drawing art of Mantan Moreland. Very fine condition.