Pioneers of African-American cinema

Summary: Among the most fascinating chapters of film history is that of the so-called "race films" that flourished in the 1920s -'40s. Unlike the "black cast" films produced within the Hollywood studio system, these films not only starred African Americans but were funded, written, produced, edited, distributed, and often exhibited by people of color. Entrepreneurial filmmakers built an industry apart from the Hollywood establishment, cultivating visual and narrative styles that were uniquely their own.

Record details

Physical Description: 5 videodiscs (approx. 1,276 min.) : silent and sound, black and white and colour tinted : 4 3/4 in. + 1 booklet (76 pages : illustrations ; 18 cm)
videodisc
Publisher: New York, NY : Kino Classics, [2016]
Copyright: ©2016.

Content descriptions

General Note:	Films originally produced 1915-1946. Booklet, titled Pioneers of African-American cinema: film notes, includes an introduction by Paul D. Miller (aka D.J. Spooky), and essays by Charles Musser, Jacqueline Najuma Stewart, Rhea L. Combs, and Mary N. Elliott. Special features include commentary by Jacqueline Najuma Stewart, Charles Musser, Bret Wood, S. Torriano Berry, and Mike Mashon. Body and soul: Based on the novel by Oscar Micheaux. Dirty Gerties from Harlem U.S.A.: Based on the story "Miss Thompson" by W. Somerset Maugham. Ten minutes to live: Based on the short stories "The Faker", "The Killer", and "Harlem after midnight" a collection entitled "Harlem after midnight" (author undetermined). Ten nights in a bar room: Based on the novel by Timothy Shay Arthur and the stage adaptation by William W. Pratt. The birthright: Based on the novel by Thomas Sigismund Stribling. The exile: Based on the novel The Conquest by Oscar Micheaux. The girl from Chicago: Based on the short story "Jeff Ballinger's Woman" by Oscar Micheaux. Veiled aristocrats: Based on the novel The House Behind the Cedars by Charles W. Chesnutt.
Formatted Contents Note:	Special features: Disc 1. Pioneers of African-American cinema : an introduction (8 min. ; 2016) ; The films of Oscar Micheaux (9 min. ; 2016) -- Disc 2. The color line (6 min. ; 2016) ; Ten nights in a barroom : an introduction (5 min. ; 2016) ; About the restoration (8 min. ; 2016) -- Disc 3. Religion in early African-American cinema (7 min. ; 2016) ; Eleven P.M. : an introduction (3 min. ; 2016) ; S. Torriano Berry discusses the works of James and Eloyce Gist (5 min. ; 2016) -- Disc 4. Veiled aristocrats (Original trailer) (4 min. ; 1932) ; Birthright (Theatrical trailer) (3 min. ; 1938) -- Disc 5. The Tyler-Texas Black Film Collection : the missing link in black cinema (6 min. ; 1985) ; The films of Zora Neale Hurston (2 min. ; 2016) ; The films of Spencer Williams (7 min. ; 2016) ; The end of an era (5 min. ; 2016).
Participant or Performer Note:	Dirty Gertie from Harlem U.S.A.: Francine Everette, Don Wilson, Katherine Moore, Alfred Hawkins, David Boykin, Spencer Williams. The blood of Jesus: Carhtyn Caviness, Spencer Williams, Juanita Riley, Reather Hardeman, James B. Jones, Rev. R.L. Robertson and The Heavenly Choir. The bronze buckaroo: Herb Jeffries, Lucius Brooks, Artie Young, Soencer Williams, Clarence Brooks, The Four Tones. Veiled aristocrats: Lucille Lewis, Lawrence Chenault, Walter Fleming, Lorenzo Tucker, Laura Bowman, Lucille Lewis, Barrington Guy, Carl Mahon. Birthright: Carman Newsome, S.O. (Ethel) Moses, Alec Lovejoy, Hazel Diaz, Trixie Smith. Ten minutes to live: Lawrence Chenault, Willor Lee Guilford, Lorenzo Tucker, Laura Bowman, Tressie Mitchell,Donald Heywood. The girl from Chicago: Carl Mahon, Star Calloway, Alice b. RUssell, Eunice Brooks, Minta Cato, John Everett. Hot biskits: Thurston Briggs, Spencer Williams. The exile: Eunice Brooks, Stanley Morrell, Nora Newsome, Charles Moore, George Randol, Katherine Noisette, A.B. Comathiere, Carl Mahon. The darktown revue: Donald Heywood's Choir, Tim Moore, Andrew Trible, Amon Davis, Sara Martin. Verdict: not guilty: Eloyce Gist. Eleven p.m.: Richard Maurice, Sammie Fields, Orine Johnson, Wanda Maurice. The scar of shame: Harry Henderson, Lucia Lynn Moses, Lawrence Chenault, Pearl McCormack, Norman Johnstone, William E. Pettus, Ann[ie] Kennedy. Ten nights in a bar room: Charles S. Gilpin, Lawrence Chenault, Harry Henderson, Arline Mickey, Myra Burwell. The flying ace: Laurence Criner, Kathryn Boyd, Steve "Peg" Reynolds, Goise De Legge, George Colvin, Harold Platts. Regeneration: Stella Mayo, M.C. Maxwell. Screen snapshorts: Oscar Micheaux. Body and soul: Paul Robeson, Mercedes Gilbert, Lawrence Chenault, Julia Theresa Russel, Marshall Rodgers, Chester A. Alexander, Walter Cornick, Madame Robinson, Lillian Johnson, Tom Fletcher. By right of birth: Clarence Brooks, Anita Thompson, Webb King. The symbol of the unconquered: Iris Hall, Walker Thompson, Lawrence Chenault. Within in our gates: Evely Preer, William Starks, Mattie Edwards, Grant Edwards, E.G. Tatum, Jack Chenault. A reckless rover: Sam Robinson. Two knights of vaudeville: Jimmy Marshall, Frank Montgomery, Florence McClain, Bert Murphy.
System Details Note:	DVD; NTSC; region 1; Dolby digital 2.0.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction Note:	Licensed for: home, library, classroom, ILL.
Language Note:	Sound films are closed-captioned; silent films have English intertitles, some have accompanying music.
Awards Note:	National Film Registry selection, 1991: Blood of Jesus. National Film Registry selection, 1992: Within our gates.