Early Independent Black Filmmaking
“Movies of Color: Black Southern Cinema” provides a good look at the early years of Black filmmaking in the United States. Through interviews with notable film historians, you’ll hear interesting stories about pioneering African-American film directors, their movies and the hurdles that they had to overcome.
Some of the topics covered are:
• Concerns about the portrayal of African-Americans on the movie screen, especially in response to D.W. Griffith’s film, “Birth of a Nation.”
• Discussions about the most significant Race Films made during this time and the messages that the movie directors were trying to communicate.
• Discussions about key African-American people involved in the early Black film industry, such as Spencer Williams, Oscar Micheaux and Clarence Muse.
• Depictions in these movies of African-American life in the early 1900s and the complex issues that the Black community faced during this time.
Bonus Feature - Two Spencer Williams Movies
 In addition to the hour long documentary, this DVD also contains two notable Race Films directed by Spencer Williams. Spencer Williams is usually remembered for his portrayal of Andy in the television version of the Amos ‘n Andy show, but prior to Amos ‘n Andy he was a writer, producer and director of many Race Movies.
The two Spencer Williams films also on this DVD are:
1. “Go Down Death” (1944)
Because the preacher at the church across the street from his bar is preaching against drinking, the bar owner decides to take action. He plans to frame the preacher in order to stop the sermons. Will it work?
2. “The Blood of Jesus” (1941)
A church-going woman is accidentally killed by her non-church-going husband. Now she is on a journey where she has to choose between the temptations of life or salvation. What will she do?
This is a Top 100 Black Classic Movies film. Click here to read more about it.
A Great DVD about Black Cinema History
With its interesting historical film discussion and bonus movies, "Movies of Color: Black Southern Cinema" is a must-have DVD for any African-American film buff. Buy this DVD now by using the link below.
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Films mentioned in Movies of Color: Black Southern Cinema
If you are interested in purchasing the Race Movies mentioned in "Movies of Color: Black Southern Cinema", following is a list of them. (Unfortunately, all of the movies aren’t available for purchase.)
The Betrayal (1948)
This movie by Oscar Micheaux is lost. Because it did not do well at the box office, many people believe that no effort was made to preserve it. The movie is about a Black farmer named Leroy Collins who falls in love with a White woman. This film is currently unavailable.
Birth of a Nation (1918)
With its negative and demeaning depiction of African-Americans on screen, this movie angered many Black Americans and led to many protests. From a cinematic perspective, Birth of a Nation is a considered a great film. But from a social and racial standpoint, it is a failure.
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Birthright (1939)
This movie is about a Black student who graduates from Harvard and returns home to the South only to confront racism from everyone. Directed by Oscar Micheaux, this film is currently not available.
Body and Soul (1924)
This silent film was Paul Robeson’s screen debut and it is the only movie that he made with director Oscar Micheaux. It can be purchased on DVD, but only as a part of the Paul Robeson DVD film collection. This is a Black Classic Movies Top 100 film. Click here to read more about this film.
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Broken Strings (1940)
This movie stars famous African American actor, Clarence Muse. Muse plays a concert violinist who loses his ability to play and decides to live his dream through his reluctant son. It can be purchased on a Harlem Double Feature DVD set that contains two Race Movies: Gang War and Broken Strings.
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Hell Bound Train (1930)
This movie was directed by female, African-American film director, Eloyce Gist and her husband, James Gist. It is currently not available for purchase.
The Homesteader (1919)
This was the first feature-length film made by an African-American filmmaker. It is based on Oscar Micheaux’s book named “The Homesteader” that he wrote in 1917. It is about a Black pioneer who settles in South Dakota and falls in love with a woman that he feels he cannot have. "The Homesteader: is a lost film is lost and no copies are available. However, you can purchase the novel that the movie is based on.
Buy "The Homesteader" book by Oscar Micheaux
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Spirit of Youth (1937)
This was the first film that boxing great Joe Louis appeared in as an actor. He stars with Clarence Muse. You can purchase this movie on a Harlem Double Feature DVD containing two Race Movies: Spirit of Youth and Lucky Ghost.
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Swing (1938)
This movie was directed by Oscar Micheaux and is about a producer named Ted Gregory who wants to be the first Black producer of a Broadway show. You can purchase this film on a Harlem Double Feature DVD containing two Race Movies: Swing and Moon Over Harlem.
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Underworld (1937)
This film was directed by Oscar Micheaux and it is currently not available for sale.
Within Our Gates (1919)
This is the oldest surviving movie by an African-American film director. This movie was controversial at the time because it openly shows lynching scenes and the terror that African-Americans faced in the South. It was directed by Oscar Micheaux and is a Black Classic Movies Top 100 film. Click here to read more about Within Our Gates.
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