Summaries

Synopsis

Having fled Memphis, Tennessee, to start a new life, small time fugitive and con artist Bob 'Bad News' Johnson (Spencer Williams) and his slow-witted companion, Jay 'July' Jones (July Jones), arrive in Dallas, Texas with no place to stay and only 25 cents to their name. Johnson explains to Jones that they are taking the advice of the great thinker Horace Greeley, who said, "Go west young man, and do your best; then come east and spend your grease." When Johnson realizes that Jones does not understand the quote, he tells Jones that he is so dumb that he probably thinks that "Veronica Lake is some kinda' summer resort."

Using his charm and graciousness, mixed in with a touch of pure deception, Johnson procures a room for himself and Jones at the boarding house home of the Holiday family. Mrs. Louella "Mama Lou" Holiday (Inez Newell) is at first reluctant take in two strangers as boarders, but when Johnson, who has introduced himself as Mr. Whitney Vanderbilt, impresses her as a great "thespian," and film actor from Hollywood, California, she, in the hope that he will tutor her daughter Barbara "Honey Dew" Holiday in poise, decides to give them a room. Johnson and Jones, who has now taken the alias Mr. "Cornbread" Green, gladly accept the offer.

Meanwhile, Mama Lou's husband, Papa Sam (Leonard Duncan), a World War I veteran and compulsive gambler, who was sent by his wife on an errand to the market, is instead at Johnny's Juke Joint playing poker with his pals. Papa Sam's youngest daughter Florida (Katherine Moore), also at the juke joint, is being pursued by Johnny (Howard Galloway), the owner of the establishment, who wants to take her to Chicago. When Papa Sam returns home without the food he was sent to get, Mama Lou scolds him until Honey Dew breaks up the fight. Back at the juke joint, while Florida considers Johnny's offer, he calls his wife and tells her that he will be home late.

After Johnson and Jones enjoy their first dinner at the Holidays, Johnson gives Honey Dew lessons on how to carry herself at the beauty contest she has entered, while Florida is told to wash and dry the dishes. Johnson's lessons are proven valuable when Honey Dew wins first prize in the contest.

Backstage at the contest, Papa Sam's buddy, "High Life" Harris (Albert Smith), suggests that Honey Dew be taken to the juke joint to celebrate her success, and Papa Sam agrees. When Mama Lou returns home to find that her husband and Florida, who was given the responsibility of preparing the house for a party, are missing, she marches over to Johnny's with an umbrella in hand and takes swings at Harris, Johnny and Florida. Mama Lou then discovers Papa Sam kissing a waitress outside the juke joint and pounces on him.

At home, Mama Lou gives Florida one last beating to punish her for her actions as Johnson and Jones watch through a keyhole.