i really love that a lot of old black films have the great migration as a driving force for their plots because it was actively happening when these films were released. a lot of these movies center around harlem because that truly was the mecca for black creativity and a beacon of freedom in the early 20th century.
but it was very common for films set in harlem or chicago to have characters from the south. there was always a cousin, a friend or foe, an old love, that was from a southern state. likewise, films set in the south would refer to chicago and harlem quite often and have scenes set there.
idk i always loved it. it gives a sense of realism that even high budget movies like carmen jones and cabin in the sky don't have bc of the racial vacuum they exist in.
