Cab Calloway was one of the most popular African American performers of the 1940s. Like Duke Ellington, Cab appeared on film often, and both artists were usually able to avoid some of the racist and stereotypical imagery that is found in film performances by many black artists.
Cab appeared in two series of Soundies, and from the first, January 1942, we feature him performing his best -known number, Minnie the Moocher. The soloists and a number of important sidemen are identified for you on screen.