The 20th Annual African American Film Festival
Dance like a Butterfly, Sting like a Bee

Curated by author and cinema scholar Terri Francis
With special guest Nadege Green

1935, 77 min Not Rated

Josephine Baker Watches Herself 7 min (short)

“Princesse Tam Tam,” directed by Edmond Gréville and starring Josephine Baker, is a musical comedy with an exotic twist on the Pygmalion story. It follows Max de Mirecourt, a frustrated French novelist who travels to Tunisia for inspiration, leaving his socialite wife Lucie in Paris. There, he meets Alwina (Baker), a free-spirited shepherdess. Captivated by her, Max decides to make her the subject of his novel, transforming her into a sophisticated lady and introducing her as “Princess Tam Tam” from India to spark jealousy in Lucie. His plan backfires when Alwina becomes a sensation in Parisian society. The film showcases Baker’s comedic and musical talents through captivating dance scenes and two songs: “Dream Ship” and “‘Neath the Tropical Blue Skies.”