Zeke Johnson (Daniel L. Haynes) and his brother, Spunk (Everett McGarrity), sell their family's crops for $100. When Zeke manages to lose the money gambling, due to his shifty girlfriend, Chick (Nina Mae McKinney), a fight ensues in which Spunk is killed. This causes Zeke to leave and seek a religious life. Years later, he returns to his hometown as a preacher, bringing his fiancée, Missy Rose (Victoria Spivey). However, Chick is still interested and knows how to manipulate him.
It is the first "black musical". Hallelujah was King Vidor's first sound film, and combined sound recorded on location and sound recorded post-production in Hollywood. It was filmed in Memphis near LeMoyne Owen College. King Vidor was nominated for an Oscar for "Best Director".