The 1936 SHOWBOAT supposedly has a sequence where Magnolia is performing to the Cotton Blossom audience. She's sings the song "Galivantin' Around" in blackflace. Unfortunately I've never seen a print of this film that contains this sequence. (Though not diegetic, I've always thought it odd that Helen Morgan portrays a black woman - though one who is pretending not to be.) Of course the 1927 JAZZ SINGER, SINGING FOOL, and MAMMY (1930) have Jolson performing to a filmed audience. Though we never see the audience in BABES ON BROADWAY (because WE are the audience) the various protagonists don blackface to give a (poor) recreation of a minstrel show - of course as a plan to raise money. I'm wondering why - for your project - is the presence of the audience necessary? Bob Kosovsky Student, PhD Program in Music Librarian Graduate Center Music Division City University of New York The New York Public Library [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] -------My opinions do not necessarily represent those of my institutions-------