Black Shadows on the Silver Screen (TV 1975)

Ossie Davis narrates a history of "race films," films made before 1950 which catered to a primarily black audience.

Director:

Steven York

Writer:

Thomas Cripps

Stars:

Ossie Davis, Fredi Washington, George Johnson

Cast

Cast overview:
Ossie Davis	...	Narrator
Fredi Washington	...	Herself (archive sound)
George Johnson	...	Himself (archive sound)
Lorenzo Tucker	...	Himself (archive sound)
Lucia Lynn Moses	...	Herself (archive sound)

Storyline

The history of "race films" is presented from the earliest days of silents to the genre's demise after World War II. These generally low budget films were designed to be seen by segregated black audiences. Although many of these were cheaply and crudely made, they are a record of the hopes and aspirations of the contemporary black community. THe careers of such pioneering black filmmakers as Oscar Micheaux and George Johnson are highlighted.

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Plot Keywords:

race film | black filmmaker | black community | black stereotype | atlantic city | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1975 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Post-Newsweek Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

52 min

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

References are made to two "lost" films not on IMDb. A poster for "The Sport of Girls" and a flyer for "The Wind from Nowhere" are shown.

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Connections

Features The Birth of a Race (1918)

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