Marching On: Independent African American

Films From 1935—1950

Resources—Video

 

The Birth of a Nation.  VHS 791.43 Bi (125 minutes), 1 copy at Cepeda

             Adapted from Thomas Dixon’s novel, The Clansman.  Originally produced as a motion picture in 1915.  Producer, D.W. Griffith.  The Birth of a Nation marked the birth of the epic film.  It was adapted from the controversial novel, The Clansman.

 

The Blood of Jesus.  VHS 791.43 Bl (57 minutes),  1 copy at Oak Hill

             Written and directed by Spencer Williams, 1941. Concerns the accidental shooting of a woman and of the faith in Jesus that brings her back.  A film that offers a glimpse into Southern Baptist life from an African-American perspective.

 

Body and Soul.  VHS 791.43 Bo. (102 minutes), 1 copy at Carver, 1 copy at University Hills.

             Produced and directed by Oscar Micheaux, 1925.  Paul Robeson plays his first screen role.  He plays two parts, an evil preacher and his good brother who wage a personal war for the body and soul of the heroine.  Silent film with music and English intertitles.

 

Girl in Room 20, VHS 791.43 Gi (63 minutes), 1 copy at Carver

             Directed by Spencer Williams, 1946.  Small time Texas girl Daisy Mae Walker wants to be a singer.  So, with visions of Lena Horne and Ella Fitzgerald in her head, she heads for the bright lights of New York City leaving her boyfriend behind.

 

Juke Joint, AV 791.43 JUK (70 minutes), 1 copy at Travis High School in AV.

             Last film directed by Spencer Williams, 1947.  Two slick talking traveling “thespians” seek a room at the home of Mama Holiday & become embroiled in her family’s affairs. The gain Mama’s favor, the men use their persuasive skills to keep the daughter from leaving town with her suitor.

 

Midnight Ramble, VHS 791.43 Mi (58 minutes), 1 copy at Southeast Austin Community, 1              copy at University Hills, 1 copy at Windsor Park. Recounts the story of race movies produced for Afro-Americans from the 1920’s through the 1950 and the role played by Oscar Micheaux. Part of American Experience from PBS.

 

Midnight Ramble, AV 384.8 MID, 1 copy at LBJ High School in AV.

 

Midnight Shadow, AV 791.43 MID (63 minutes), 1 copy at Travis High School AV.

             A film by Spencer Williams, 1939.

 

Movies of Color:  Black Southern Cinema, DVD 791.436529 MO (162 minutes), 1 copy at              Central. Includes 2 bonus short films, “The Blood of Jesus” and “Go Down, Death”.  Black films of the 1920s through mid 1950s are shown as a mirror of the Black experience of the time.  The developed as a reaction to the way African Americans were depicted by film makers such as D.W. Griffith.  Focuses on filmmakers Spencer Williams, Oscar Micheaux, Eloyse Gist, and Clarence Muse.

Not Your Usual “Black History Special”, AV 305.8 (43 minutes), 1 copy at Austin High School              in LIB Office. The section that applies is “A Cinema Apart” which is about 12 minutes.

 

That’s Black Entertainment, VHS 791.4308996 Th (60 minutes), 1 copy at Spicewood, 1 copy              at University Hills. In the 30’s and 40’s an underground film industry sprang up in the black community.  Since Afro Americans were not always welcome in white movie theaters and were badly represented in white movies, they made their own movie.  This is a tribute to the treasures of black cinema.  Rare and historic movie footage from many forgotten films has been compiled in this videocassette.