Saturday, March 23, 2019

THE DEVIL'S DAUGHTER 1939 (ALPHA)

Another interesting film from SACK Amusement.

This is an all black horror film dealing with a young woman named Sylvia Walton (Ida James) returning to a Jamaican banana plantation after being in New York for several years.

Her half sister Isabella (Nina Mae McKinney) resents her for returning as she wants the entire plantation for herself and the man she loves. Isabella decides to take matters into her own hands when Sylvia says she is staying and running the operation.

Isabella then uses local "obeah" superstitions to manipulate the locals and turn them against Sylvia. This plan almost works, but the descends into bloodshed and violence.

The ending has Sylvia and Isabella somewhat making up and deciding the hatred isn't worth and more loss. The beautiful Ida James only made three films in her career and this was her first. She did have a good singing career however. Nina Mae McKinney was also a very lovely woman who was billed later in her career as "The Black Garbo" and her life was cut short at the age of 54 from a heart attack. It's a shame she has become so forgotten in this day and age.

This film isn't for everyone, but it is much more than just an artifact as I have read elsewhere. I liked this creaky little film and some of the light comedy was good to.

If you're so inclined, check it out.

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