REET, PETITE AND GONE

Cinemavixion Review

1947's "Reet, Petite, and Gone" is a charming, albeit brief, musical romp that swings with the infectious energy of Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five. The plot, centered around the terminal illness of musical star Schyler Jarvis and his posthumous machinations for the happiness of his son, Louis (played by Jordan himself), and Honey Carter, offers a familiar but effective framework for musical numbers. However, the narrative is quickly overshadowed by the villainous machinations of a crooked lawyer, Talbot, who seeks to usurp the Jarvis fortune. While the film provides a delightful showcase for Jordan's charismatic performance and the band's signature sound, the dramatic elements feel somewhat perfunctory, serving primarily as a prelude to the next musical interlude. Directed by William Forest Crouch, the film is a testament to the enduring appeal of mid-century musical comedies, offering a lighthearted escape with a potent dose of rhythm and blues.