‘The Duke Is Tops’ is a 1938 American musical film directed by William Nolte and released by Million Dollar Productions. The story follows Duke Davis, a stage-show promoter deeply in love with Ethel Andrews, a talented singer known as "The Bronze Venus." When big-time promoters from New York offer Ethel a chance at stardom, she refuses out of loyalty to Duke. In a selfless act, Duke orchestrates a deception to push Ethel toward success, but his own career collapses as a result. As Ethel struggles in New York, Duke reinvents himself in a traveling medicine show, eventually finding a way to reunite with her and create a dazzling nightclub act. The film is notable for featuring Lena Horne in her film debut and is considered a classic among 1930s "race movies," which were made for African-American audiences.

Credits:
Director: William Nolte
Producer: Harry M. Popkin
Starring: Ralph Cooper, Lena Horne, Laurence Criner, Monte Hawley
Screenplay: Phil Dunham
Cinematography: Robert E. Cline, J. Henry Kruse

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