In the early days of the film industry, for most American silent films, minorities were generally played by white actors in make-up. When actual minorities were cast, roles were generally limited. Latinos in silent films usually played greasers and bandits; Asian-Americans played waiters, tongs and laundrymen; and blacks usually played bellboys, stable hands, maids or simple … [Read more...] about Saturday Open Threads: The History of Race Films
Arts and Culture
Friday Open Thread: The History of Race Films
Oscar Micheaux (October 2, 1884 – 1951) was a pioneering African American author and filmmaker, and without a doubt the most famous producer of race films. Micheaux (or sometimes written as “Michaux”), was born near Metropolis, Illinois and grew up in Great Bend, Kansas, one of eleven children of former slaves. As a young boy he shined shoes and worked as a porter on the … [Read more...] about Friday Open Thread: The History of Race Films
Thursday Open Thread: The History of Race Films
It's nearly impossible to see some of the earliest movies by African-American filmmakers. Many have been lost or destroyed. Those that have survived are often held by private collectors or stored away in old film archives. More than a dozen of those movies, though, are part of a film restoration project — Pioneers of African-American Cinema — by independent film distributor … [Read more...] about Thursday Open Thread: The History of Race Films
Tuesday Open Thread: The History of Race Films
The Lincoln Motion Picture Company was an American film production company founded in 1916 by Noble and George Johnson. Noble Johnson was president of the company, the secretary was actor Clarence A. Brooks. Dr. James T. Smith was treasurer, and Dudley A. Brooks was assistant secretary. The company is known as the first producer of race movies. Established in Omaha, Nebraska, … [Read more...] about Tuesday Open Thread: The History of Race Films
Monday Open Thread: The History of Race Films
Good Morning POU! This week we will take a look at the history of the "race film". We'll take a look at the historical significance of these movies and the forgotten legacy of some of the directors and actors of these films. The race film or race movie was a film type produced entirely in the United States between about 1915 and the early 1950s, consisting of films produced … [Read more...] about Monday Open Thread: The History of Race Films