This week’s mystery movie has been the 1929 MGM picture “Hallelujah,” with Daniel L. Haynes, Nina Mae McKinney, William Fountaine, Harry Gray, Fanny Belle DeKnight, Everett McGarrity, Victoria Spivey, Milton Dickerson, Robert Couch, Walter Tait and the Dixie Jubilee Singers. Scenario by Wanda Tuchock, treatment by Richard Schayer, dialogue by Ransom Rideout, art direction by Cedric Gibbons, wardrobe by Henrietta Frazer, photography by Gordon Avil, story and direction by King Vidor.
“Hallelujah” is available on DVD from Warner Archive.
I don’t usually quote the entire New York Times review of a film, but there is no way to get the full effect of this critique without reading it in its entirety. From Aug. 21, 1929:
For Monday, we have a mystery lad.
Update: After some research, this lad has been established as William Tait.
For Tuesday, we have a mysterious, fashionably dressed man. Our leading man has been cropped out and will appear Friday.
Update: This is William Fountaine.
Brain Trust roll call: Howard Mandelbaum (mystery movie — the mystery child is in the movie but probably in another role).
For Wednesday, we have a mystery couple.
Update: This is Fanny Belle DeKnight and Harry Gray.
Brain Trust roll call: Howard Mandelbaum (Tuesday’s mystery gent), Mary Mallory (mystery movie, Monday’s mystery child and Tuesday’s mystery gent), Mike Hawks (mystery movie and Tuesday’s mystery gent), Patrick (mystery movie, mystery director and Tuesday’s mystery gent), Sylvia E (mystery movie, Monday’s mystery child and Tuesday’s mystery gent).
For Thursday, we have a mystery gent.
Update: This is Everett McGarrity.
Brain Trust roll call: Mary Mallory (Wednesday’s mystery couple), Harried Costumer (mystery movie, Monday’s mystery lad and Tuesday’s mystery gent), Mike Hawks (Wednesday’s mystery woman), Howard Mandelbaum (Wednesday’s mystery gent), Patrick (Wednesday’s mystery couple), Sylvia E (mystery movie, mystery director and all mystery guests), Dan Nather (mystery movie and mystery director) and Anne Papineau (half-credit. She’s in the movie but has another role).
For Friday….
Update: This is Nina Mae McKinney and Daniel L. Haynes.
Brain Trust roll call: Mary Mallory (Thursday’s mystery gent), Howard Mandelbaum (Wednesday’s mystery woman and Monday’s mystery lad), Mike Hawks (Thursday’s mystery gent), Patrick (Thursday’s mystery gent), Sylvia E (Thursday’s mystery gent) and Anne Papineau (mystery movie and mystery director).
ladailymirror.com 
Matthew ‘Symie’ Beard in HALLELUJAH.
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Allen Hoskins.
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Good guess, but alas, I’m afraid not.
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Billy Thomas Jr., AKA Buckwheat
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An interesting guess, but alas, I’m afraid not.
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Don’t know who he is, but what a cute kid!
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William Fountaine as Hot Shot.
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Hallelujah (1929). Walter Fountaine today and Walter Tait yesteday.
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William Fountaine in HALLELUJAH.
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Tuesday: William Fountaine in King Vidor’s Hallelujah from 1929.
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I think the movie is Hallalujah!
Monday’s kid – still looking for the name, but I’ve found a photo that I think includes him
Tuesday – William E. Fountaine
I hope I’m on the right trail.
this is fun!
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For Monday – found a photo that identifies the cute kid as Walter Tait (if I’m right about the movie.)
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Thanks for the confirmation.
The movie is Hallalujah! 1929 directed by King Vidor
Monday – Walter Tait
Tuesday – William E. Fountaine (mysterious leading man must be Daniel L. Haynes)
Wednesday – Fanny Belle DeKnight and Harry Gray
Thanks for this gem. Never heard of it. I’m looking forward to the history about the film you’ll send on Saturday.
My dad was a fan of the Jubilee singers.
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Harry Gray and Fanny Belle DeKnight.
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I feel like I’ve never learned the proper rules for this game, but, in order of how I thought it out:
Movie: “Hallelujah”
Grownup: William Fountaine, in “Hallelujah” costume
Kid: the youngest of “the Johnson children;” I think it’s Walter Tait
https://books.google.com/books?id=CTl7bIJI2hUC&lpg=PA61&ots=9AE0aBnmG5&dq=milton%20dickerson%20child%20actor&pg=PA61#v=onepage&q=milton%20dickerson%20child%20actor&f=false
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Fanny Belle DeKnight at left.
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Rex Ingram so probably Green Pastures.
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Alas, I’m afraid not.
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Is Wednesday’s gent Rex Ingram?
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Alas, I’m afraid not.
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I think the gentleman with the top hat is Rex Ingram.
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Alas, I’m afraid not.
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Rex Ingram today?
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Alas, I’m afraid not.
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Monday: Milton Dickerson
Wednesday: Victoria Spivey, Harry Gray.
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On Wednesday, Rex Ingram in “The Green Pastures”?
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Rex is getting many votes. But alas, I’m afraid not.
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Wednesday: Fanny Belle DeKnight and Harry Gray
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Is it Cabin in the Sky?
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Interesting guess. But alas, I’m afraid not.
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Could this be King Vidor’s HALLELUJAH?
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On Wednesday, Madame Sul Te Wan?
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Everitt McGarrity.
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Fanny Belle DeKnight is yesterday’s matriarch. Today’s lad is Walter Tait.
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Everett McGarrity.
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Thursday: Everett McGarrity
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Thursday – Everett McGarrity
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Friday – Nina Mae McKinney and Daniel L. Haynes
Again, really looking forward to your Saturday rundown.
Thanks for this one.
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Whoah! What a review. I appreciate very much your including the entire article and a glimpse into the writer’s time and the influence on his attitude because of it. I also look forward to finding this movie and viewing it with its powerful performances.
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You really can’t summarize a review like that. It’s available via streaming and it’s at my local video store in the 626.
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King Vidor’s “Hallelujah”?
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Nina Mae McKinney and Daniel L. Haynes.
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Nina Mae mcKinney and Daniel L. Haynes.
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On Friday, Nina Mae McKinney and Daniel L. Haynes are locked in fond embrace.
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Nina Mae McKinney & Daniel Haynes.
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Is the bearded man Clinton Rosemond?
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It’s gotta be Daniel Haynes and Nina Mae McKinney today . . .
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It’s late Friday evening. Still I am publicly wondering if this is Rex Ingram in The Green Pastures? Not saying just wondering.
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