Pearl Bailey in Carmen Jones, 1954.
The golden age of Hollywood wasn’t so golden for black folks, nor was much else in the country at the time. When we think of early films, we often think of black actors and actresses that were relegated to degrading roles such as the Mammy or the tap dancing butler. However, even back then there were black filmmakers and actors that were making quality, complex work that spoke to our struggles and played to black audiences and some White audiences. Here are some black film pioneers that you should know about.
Rex Ingram
Rex Ingram was not only one of our great black actors, he was also the first African American man to graduate from Northwestern University medical school. He was discovered on the street by the director of “Tarzan of the Apes” in 1918 and appeared in small in a number of films soon after. His break-through role came in 1940 when he appeared as a genie in the lamp in the British film, “The Thief of Baghdad.” From that point, his illustrious career included appearances on the stage, film and television.
George and Noble Johnson
These two brothas were actually brothers who made an indelible mark on the history of black cinema. Noble Johnson was small-time actor and George Johnson was a post office employee, but they were determined to form a company that would to produce movies for black audiences. They founded the Lincoln Motion Picture Company in Omaha and released their first feature film, The Realization of a Negro’s Ambition, in 1916. In all, the Lincoln Motion Picture Company produced 5 films before it was closed in 1921. Noble Johnson went on to have a long acting career, appearing in 144 films playing an extraordinary range of characters.
Oscar Micheaux
Mr. Micheaux was the prolific writer, director and producer of more than 44 films between 1919 and 1948. His films dealt with the African American struggle for equality in a hostile world. His second film, Within Our Gates, is often considered his response to D.W. Griffith’s racist classic, Birth of a Nation. Micheaux’s film depicts lynchings and the rape of black women by white men…in 1920. Mr. Micheaux was definitely not afraid to stir up controversy and was a ground-breaking artist who paved the way for black directors to come.
William D. Foster (not pictured)
Bill Foster started his career as sports writer for the Chicago Defender. Motivated by a desire to allow black people control our own images, he formed the Foster Photoplay Company, which was the first independent African-American film company. In 1912, Foster, produced and directed The Railroad Porter, which addressed the widespread stereotypes of blacks in film.
Maria P. Williams Ms. Williams is known as the first black woman to direct and produce a film. Her film Flames of Wrath was a crime drama and was released in 1923. This was an extraordinary accomplishment. Black female directors have faced enormous obstacles since Ms. Williams shot her ground-breaking film. In fact, it took over a half century for another black female director to have a nationally released film. Julie Dash was the first African American woman to have a national release with her film Daughters of the Dust, in 1991. Maria P. Williams was definitely a pioneer.What are your favorite old School Hollywood pioneers?
If you want to learn more about Grace N. Edwards, check out her blog or follow her on Twitter. @gracyact.
