Birthright (1924)

A young black Harvard graduate fights against a variety of obstacles, including racist opposition, in order to build a school for black children.

Director:

Oscar Micheaux

Writers:

Thomas Sigismund Stribling (novel), Oscar Micheaux (scenario)

Stars:

J. Homer Tutt, Evelyn Preer, Salem Tutt Whitney

Cast

Credited cast:
J. Homer Tutt	...	Peter Siner
Evelyn Preer	...	Cissie Deldine
Salem Tutt Whitney	...	Tump Pack
Lawrence Chenault
William Crowell	...	(as W.B.F. Crowell)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Alec Lovejoy
Ethel Moses
Carman Newsome

Storyline

A young black Harvard graduate fights against a variety of obstacles, including racist opposition, in order to build a school for black children.

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Plot Keywords:

lost film | clinic | doctor | racism | southern u.s. | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 February 1924 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Micheaux Film

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

As of 2009, this is considered a lost film.

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Connections

Remade as Birthright (1939)

User Reviews

Prelude to the sound version of Birthright by Oscar Micheaux

This was a pioneer film by Oscar Micheaux that he made in 1924 and later re-made in 1939 in sound, both are timeless and equally great movies, despite the former not having sound, the message was as clear about the story of a young black hero who graduated from Harvard Univesity and overcame racial hatred to go on to build a school for black children in Tennessee. Other films by Micheaux include "The Exile" (1931), "The Girl From Chicago" (1932), "Lem Hawkins Confession" (also known as "Murder in Harlem -(1935), "Underworld" (1937),"Temptation" (1936), "Swing" (1938), and "Lying Lips" (1939). Oscar Micheaux died in 1951 almost alone and not remembered. Most of his films are still available for viewing in video and DVD.