a valuable link to some musical scenes from the movie ‘The Magic Garden’ has been added by our friends at The Kwela Project. Essential viewing. See also the comments on this post. Appreciated!
Willard Cele On His Flageolet With Rhythm Accompaniment
The Pennywhistle Blues –The Pennywhistle Boogie (1951)
both sides recorded unaltered from the actual 78 rpm
In 1951 Willard Cele and his tin flute appeared in the landmark South African film, ‘The Magic Garden’ (a.k.a. ‘The Pennywhistle Blues’).
It greatly helped to popularize the instrument and inspired many to play, including Spokes Mashiyane, who would become a superstar of Kwela in the mid-1950’s and into the sixties.
This movie is one of the first to feature Kwela for a big audience and Dolly Rathebe, one of my favourite singers is starring in it as well.
The story tells a gentle, wistful tale of life in a black township, with the hero being a small-time thief who plays a penny whistle.
The cast are non-professionals, but the pacing and visuals are certainly of high quality. High point: When the local police lift a garbage can lid and see the thief inside, one looks at the other and says, “Man, the housing shortage is worse than I thought.” Dumb remark, but endearing. Especially since they carefully put the lid back on, and go on their way.
Much of its charm is to do with the age of the film and the success of the Cinematographer in actually teaching the actors to act as this was a first film for all the cast.
This film is used in USA universities as the first of its ilk from the early 1950s with an all-black cast. Fun. Nice countryside and scenery, giving the viewer a taste of South Africa before its troubles.
About Willard Cele
Willard Cele, a crippled South African flageolet player who is regarded as the pioneer of South African Kwela music, often credited as having been the first to bring the inherently upbeat sound of the Pennywhistle to the medium.
On both the South African and English record label he’s credited as playing the Flageolet, which is sort of the refined older cousin to the Tin Whistle or Pennywhistle.
‘The Magic Garden’ (1951)
Also Known As: La soupe à la citrouille
63 min – Comedy | Drama | Music – 5 March 1951 (South Africa)
Director: Donald Swanson
Writers: James H. Brown (story), C.M. Pennington-Richards,
Stars: Tommy Ramokgopa, Harriet Qubeka, Joseph Motuba |
Complete credited cast:
The Thief-Tommy Ramokgopa
Mrs. Shakabona -Harriet Qubeka
Nicholas, store clerk -Joseph Motuba
Lucas Ranku -David Mnkwanazi
John, Lili’s beau-Victor Cwai
Lili Shabulala -Dolly Rathebe
Mr. Shabulala -Grinsell Nogauza
Isaac Wela -Lucas Khosa
Mrs. Wela-Linda Madikisa
Priest -Jonathan Mzamo
Mr. Letuli, the troubled parishioner -George Mabuza
A Constable -Cornelius Moghare
A Constable -Samuel Alcock …
Pennywhistle Player -Willard Cele
Mrs. Shakabona’s Neighbor -Stanley Khali
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Country: South Africa
Language: English
Release Date: 5 March 1951 -South Africa
Filming Locations: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Production Co: Swan Film Productions Ltd.
Technical Specs
Runtime: 63 min
Sound Mix: Mono
Color: Black and White
Made In South Africa (By Gallo Africa LTD)
see also
something new from Africa -Kwela with Lemmy
Penny Whistle Kwela -Alexandra Shamber Boys, Benoni Flute Quintet
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This post contains text from I’m Learning To Share!
Thanks to johnsonlj2003 from East Sussex
‘ Today I posted an album Champeta of Colombia con Influencias the Music of South Africa, I have posted 3 tracks. 2 of them are South African versions with Instrumentation of some artists from Colombia’s Caribbean coast, this album is the Year 1991, La Banda Keniantu was created in Cartagena Colombia in the 80s under the direction of Wady Bedran Singer of afrocolombian Cumbias’ 
Soul Safari 