The Magic Garden
primary_youtube_id: 5Hld07D6RNo
Extract 2
Extract 3
1951
01:02:32
Johannesburg,
South Africa
Landmark film, also known as The Pennywhistle Blues, as the first South African film with an all-black cast to be shown in the white cinemas in racially-segregated Johannesburg.
Digital formats available:
Quicktime (Pro Res)
Audio & visual:
Sound,
Black & White
The Magic Garden, also known as The Pennywhistle Blues, is a 1951 feature film produced and directed by British filmmaker Donald Swanson in South Africa, made in and around Johannesburg with an amateur cast. It was nominated for two British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), for Best Film from any Source and Best British Film. It stars Tommy Ramokgopa, who also wrote some of the film's music, and Dolly Rathebe who also featured in African Jim. Willard Cele contributes to the soundtrack by playing the "Pennywhistle Blues" on the pennywhistle.
Director:
Donald Swanson
:
Collection
Dolly Rathebe
(4)
(40)
Footage and images capturing township jazz legend, South African singer, Dolly Rathebe.
Collection
African Jim
(52)
Collection of materials about South Africa’s first feature film aimed largely at a black audience.
Collection
Music and Dance
(63)
Global selection of music and dance films and titles.
