Black History Month-The Forgotten Cinema
Once upon a time, shamefully in the not-too-distant past, African-Americans were barred from many of the movie theatres(12,000 to 19,000 depending on the years) in America circa the silent-film-era inro the 1950s. And, if not barred, still faced seating in segregated sections (parts of the balcony) or attending on designated "Negro Nights." To offset that, most cities of 25,000 or more had Negro Theatres in their other-side-of-the- tracks area. That also inspired the making of *race movies* or all-black-cast films. A large percentage oif those were produced by black-owned companies such as Oscar Micheaux Productions or The Normandy Film Mfg.Company, but even more came from white-owned Poverty Row companies. Many of the all-black films featured the same stereotyped-racist roles as those that black performers were relegated to in the main-stream films from Hollywood. But they also provided the African-American community to see black actors perform roles other than Mammies and Feet-do-your-stuff.
This is a list of all-black-cast films (there were hundreds of those) made specifically for "Black" theatres. Assuming that only a small percentage have ever seen even one of these films...
Discuss poll here.
Which film, based on plot and cast, would you put on your like-to-see list?
This is a list of all-black-cast films (there were hundreds of those) made specifically for "Black" theatres. Assuming that only a small percentage have ever seen even one of these films...
Discuss poll here.
Which film, based on plot and cast, would you put on your like-to-see list?
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- DirectorEdgar G. UlmerStarsBuddy HarrisCora GreenIzinetta WilcoxMusical numbers highlight this story of a wealthy widow who disowns her daughter after a new man enters her life.Gangster marries world's kindest, most charitable woman, scams money from her while coming on to her daughter. When gangster is caught by his wife attempting to rape the daughter, he lies and blames the girl. Driven from her mother's home, the girl turns to show business to make a living.
(Directed by cult-favorite Edgar G. Ulmer and, aside from the cast, mostly an all-white production crew.) - DirectorRichard C. KahnStarsHerb JeffriesLucius BrooksF.E. MillerA cowboy and his sidekick try to help a homesteader from being cheated out of his property.“ "Me and him's buddies, and when you suspicions him, you suspicions me".
(Two black writers and an all-white Poverty Row production crew) - DirectorLeo C. PopkinStarsRalph CooperGladys SnyderReginald FendersonTwo mobs fight for control of the jukebox racket.Another all-black-cast from the all-white Million Dollar Productions.
- DirectorRichard C. KahnStarsHerb JeffriesLucius BrooksArtie YoungCowboy Bob Blake (Herbert Jeffries) and four friends ride to Arizona to help Betty Jackson (Artie Young), the sister of Bob's friend, Joe (Rollie Hardin), who has gone missing.Herbert Jeffrey(Herb Jeffries) rides again in yet another all-black-cast remake of an all-white Fred Scott B-western from producer Jed Buell.
- DirectorHarry L. FraserStarsJoe LouisClarence MuseEdna Mae HarrisThe story of the rise of boxer Joe Thomas, which paralleled the life of Joe Louis.Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis, in his prime, gives the black community a hero of their own. If they could find a theatre to watch it in.
- DirectorArthur DreifussStarsMonte HawleyMarguerite WhittenTommie MooreIn and around some great blues, swing and jazz music, a very unpopular band-leader. Prince Ellis, is killed in a Harlem nightclub, and, in and around some more great music, a detective finds the lists of suspects is very long, as Prince Ellis was indeed very unpopular with many citizens.With a 100 Per Cent ALL-STAR COLORED CAST! (original poster)...(produced by a 100% all-white production company)
- DirectorJoseph SeidenStarsFrank H. WilsonMamie SmithNorman AstwoodBetween swing and blues musical numbers, the story of comedian Lem Anderson, whose long-awaited chance to act dramatically vanishes when he witnesses a mob killing and is forced to leave town. Lem becomes a wanderer, then an alcoholic. Finally a chance to play Othello draws him back to Harlem. Is it too late for Ned? Or too soon to suit Rough Jackson's mobsters? Melodramatic events lead to an unusual conclusion.(Subjective) Tagline: Greatest Colored Cast Ever Assembled in One Picture
- DirectorWilliam BeaudineStarsMantan MorelandF.E. MillerMaceo Bruce SheffieldTwo down-on-their luck friends suddenly hit the "jackpot" when they win the clothes, car and chauffeur of a rich man in a game of dice.The comedy team of Moreland & Miller(Mantan Moreland and F. E. Miller) could give Abbott & Costello lessons in comedic timing.
- DirectorGeorge P. QuigleyStarsBob HowardMilton WilliamsNellie HillThe beautiful Nellie Hill has many admirers but when one of them gets killed all the others are suspected. All this in among some great singing and dancing, some great bands and songs. This is a showcase for Black Entertainment of the time.I'll wash and dry your dishes. I'll clean and make your bed. I'll work and slave around you 'Til my face turns cherry red.
- DirectorHarry L. FraserRalph CooperStarsRalph CooperCleo HerndonClarence BrooksA low-level gangster determines to let nothing stand in the way of his gaining control of the numbers rackets in Harlem.An early film for Roy Glenn, whose roles were usualy an uncredited Native Chief in Jungle Jim films, thirty years later played a very-credited role, as Sidney Poitier's father in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner." And held his own at the table with Tracy and Hepburn.
- DirectorBud PollardStarsA.B. DeComathiereVivianne BaberKnolly MitchellAn unscrupulous minister starts a 'back to Africa' movement.The film is based on the career of Marcus Garvey, who organized a Back-to- Africa movement among blacks in the United States, and is not an "All-Black-Cast" film, as there are white actors, including the director/producer Bud Pollard, playing some minor, uncredited roles. Deacon "Charcoal" Johnson is heading a Back-to-Africa group and raising funds (to his pockets, mostly) all the way from Logan, Mississippi to New York City's Harlem, where a procession of Johnson's followers and elite troops parade to the music of Victor Herbert's "March of the Wooden Soldiers."
- Written by Les Adams <longhorn1939@suddenlink.net>
- DirectorRichard C. KahnStarsZack WilliamsLaura BowmanAlfred GrantA newlywed couple is visited by a strange old woman who harbors a secret about the young girl's father.
- DirectorOscar MicheauxStarsCora GreenLarry SeymourHazel DiazTed Gregory is trying to be the first black producer to mount a show on Broadway, but he has trouble with his star singer.A low-budget *race film* version of "42nd Street" featuring some of the Cotton Club and Appolo Theatre acts of the period.
- DirectorOscar MicheauxStarsCarl MahonStarr CallowayAlice B. RussellAn undercover government agent on a case in Mississipi meets and falls in love with a beautiful young woman who's being menaced by a local crime boss. He rescues the girl, and they leave Mississippi and head to Harlem, but their troubles follow them: they become involved in the murder of a local crime boss there.Film debut of Juano Hernandez.
- DirectorRichard E. NormanStarsLaurence CrinerKathryn BoydBoise De LeggeA WWI fighter pilot returns to his former job as a railroad detective, and must recover a satchel filled with $25,000 of stolen payroll, locate a missing employee, and capture the gang of thieves responsible.The character of Ruth Sawtelle is allegedly based on African American aviatrix Bessie Coleman, the first African American person to hold an international pilot's license.
- DirectorLeigh JasonStarsEthel WatersSouthernaires QuartetHamtree HarringtonA family play on the nerves of a hard working housewife, but they soon get busy when a rich relative is due to arrive.One of only two Ethel Waters films from her cabaret-days, in Harlem, with a plot that may have served for the 1940 Broadway musical "Cabin in the Sky", later made as an all-black cast feature film by MGM in 1943. The latter was not a film made for the black-community theatres.
- DirectorWilliam Forest CrouchStarsLouis JordanJune RichmondMilton WoodsOld-time musical star Schyler Jarvis, now wealthy, is dying; his last act is a visionary plan for the future happiness of his son, swing bandleader Louis Jarvis, and Honey Carter, daughter of his long-lost love. But crooked lawyer Talbot has a nefarious scheme to get his hands on the Jarvis money...and it doesn't include any happiness for Louis and Honey. Plenty of swing from Louis Jordan's Tympany Five.Rusty: But you could learn to love me, darling.
Louis Jarvis: I can't afford the lesson! - DirectorArthur H. LeonardStarsNina Mae McKinneyJack CarterIda JamesSylvia Walton returns from Harlem to take over a Jamaican plantation from her vindictive half-sister, amid the growing sound of drums.Sister against Sister IN A BURNING DRAMA OF LOVE AND HATE IN THE TROPICS!
- DirectorArthur DreifussStarsMonte HawleyJeni Le GonEdward ThompsonTommy McCoy and "Dude" Markey are both in love with Harlem singer/dancer Nita. Markey robs a jewelry store and turns the loot over to gang-boss Murray Howard. Later, Markey robs the safe, steals the jewelry, and, in order to get rid of his rival for Nita, frames the robbery on McCoy. The latter's big-brother thinks otherwise and, with Nita's help, sets out to prove it.
- DirectorArthur DreifussStarsMamie SmithAlec LovejoyNorman AstwoodDramatic events in a Harlem apartment house center on Pa Wilkins, chosen by the Better Business League to replace their ousted, crooked leader Marshall - who wants revenge.Features two of the greatest Black Cinema singers, Mamie Smith and Edna Mae Harris.
- DirectorArthur DreifussStarsMamie SmithAlec LovejoyCristola WilliamsEdna Mae Harris and Mamie Smith sing again but, alas, only for a very small audience.
- DirectorOscar MicheauxStarsEdna Mae HarrisCarman NewsomeRobert Earl JonesA nightclub singer refuses to "date" customers, so she's framed for the murder of her aunt, convicted of the killing and sent to prison.Features Edna Mae Harris and Robert Earl Jones (father of James Earl Jones).
- DirectorMarshall NeilanStarsOlive BordenReed HowesMolly O'DayA black voodoo priestess comes out of the Louisians swamps to take revenge on the white plantation owner she believes killed her husband.A bottom-of-the-barrel, poverty row, mixed-cast film that got more play in *black theatres* than in those it was intended for...
- DirectorSpencer WilliamsStarsSpencer WilliamsJuly JonesInez NewellTwo insolvent con men get involved in a small town beauty contest.The Joint is Jumpin'! / The Jive is Jivvin'! / The Jam is Jammin'! / Everybody's High in the Happy Slap-Happy Holiday Family!
- DirectorPowell LindsayStarsSavannah ChurchillJimmy WrightBillie AllenUnsuccessful gambler 'Dollar Bill' Burton lives in a crummy New York basement room with old friend Bob and a new roommate, friendly blues singer 'Alabama' Lee. But, tired of being broke, Dollar Bill gets more steady employment.Guns Bark As Rival Gangs Fight For Power!
