Minstrel Man (1944)

Unusually elaborate for a PRC film Minstrel Man is a lively musical drama built around the talents of veteran vaudevillian Benny Fields The star is cast as Dixie Boy Johnson who rises from the ranks of minstrel shows to become a top Broadway attraction On the opening night of his greatest stage triumph Dixie Boys wife dies in childbirth Profoundly shaken he walks out of the show leaving the baby to be raised by his showbiz pals Mae and Lasses White Gladys George Roscoe Karns The kid grows up to be an attractive young woman named Caroline Judy Clark who follows in her dads footsteps by billing herself asthats rightDixie Girl Johnson This leads to a tearful reunion between Caroline and the father shed long assumed to be dead If Minstrel Man seems at times to be a dress rehearsal for Columbias The Jolson Story 1946 it shouldnt surprising the PRC film was directed by Joseph H Lewis who went on to helm Jolson Storys musical highlights