Mystery in Swing

Directed by

Dreifuss, Arthur, German American, 1908 - 1993

Written by

Hoerl, Arthur, American, 1891 - 1968

Produced by

Dreifuss, Arthur, German American, 1908 - 1993

Subject of

Hawley, Monte, American, 1901 - 1950

Whitten, Marguerite, American, 1913 - 1990

Moore, Tommie, American, 1917 - 2004

Thompson, Edward, American, 1898 - 1960

Woods, Buck, American, 1905 - 1974

Brooks, Jess Lee, American, 1894 - 1944

Edwards, Josephine, American, born 1910

Lewis, Sybil, American, 1919 - 1988

Webb, Robert

Grant, Alfred, American, 1912 - 1984

Southern, Tom, American, 1906 - 1980

Harding, Halley, American, 1904 - 1967

Christmas, Leonard, American, 1897 - 1982

Morris, Earle, American, born 1897

Johnson, John Lester, American, 1893 - 1968

Miller, Flournoy, American, 1885 - 1971

The Four Toppers, American

Recorded by

Cee Pee Johnson And His Orchestra, American

Date

1940

Medium

acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 75 Minutes

Length (Film Reel 1): 900 Feet

Length (Film Reel 2): 1000 Feet

Description

A 16mm release print of the feature film Mystery in Swing. It consists of two reels of positive 16mm acetate film (a) and (b), is in black-and-white and contains sound. The film opens with newspapers printing. The next scene opens in a media house where a man sitting hands another man a piece of paper and tells him to go over to the Penguin Club and interview Prince Ellis (Robert Webb). The recipient of the paper asks if he must go through with the assignment. His boss responds with “You get a story out of Prince Ellis and make it good before I fire you again.” The man exists the room and has a conversation with a woman about interviewing Prince Ellis. The rest of the film follows a local detective who investigates the murder of Ellis, a Harlem-based trumpeter. During his investigation, he develops an extensive list of suspects as he learns of Ellis' unpopularity.

Place depicted

Harlem, New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Place filmed

United States, North and Central America

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Type

sound films

black-and-white films (visual works)

release prints (motion pictures)

feature films

16mm (photographic film size)

Topic

Actors

Musicians

Race films

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Randall and Sam Nieman

Object number

2015.167.16.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

Usage

Usage conditions apply

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd531f705c7-b77c-472f-b7d5-e3a792a39c12

Dirty Gertie from Harlem U.S.A.

Directed by

Williams, Spencer, American, 1893-1969

Written by

Thompson, True T., American, 1896 - 1973

Distributed by

Sack Amusement Enterprises, American, 1920 - 1979

Subject of

Everett, Francine, American, 1915 - 1999

Wilson, Don

Moore, Katherine

Hawkins, Alfred

Boykin, David

Lewis, L.E.

Newell, Inez

Frank, Piano

King, John

Ross, Shelly

Watson, Hugh

Gilbert, Don

Williams, Spencer, American, 1893-1969

Orr, Robert, American

Galloway, Howard

Date

1946

Medium

acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 60 Minutes

Length (Film Reel 1): 1150 Feet

Length (Film Reel 2): 1100 Feet

Description

A 16mm release print of the feature film Dirty Gertie from Harlem U.S.A. It consists of two reels of positive 16mm acetate film (a) and (b), is in black and white and contains variable-area, optical-sound. The film tells the story of Gertie LaRue, a Harlem nightclub dancer who leaves her boyfriend and relocates to the fictitious island of “Rinidad.” Her arrival is marked by a reception at the Paradise Hotel, hosted by the hotel’s proprietor Mr. Diamond Joe. Gertie is offered the hotel’s “best room,” the bridal room. The film ends with Gertie’s ex-boyfriend, Al, breaking into her room in the night.

Place depicted

Harlem, New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Place purchased

Bahamas, Caribbean, North and Central America

Place filmed

United States, North and Central America

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Type

sound films

black-and-white films (visual works)

release prints (motion pictures)

feature films

16mm (photographic film size)

Topic

Dance

Nightlife

Race films

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Randall and Sam Nieman

Object number

2015.167.6.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

Usage

Usage conditions apply

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd58d1b9adf-42e2-4034-aff4-34a9d1116ca8

Gang War

Directed by

Popkin, Leo C., Canadian, 1914 - 2011

Produced by

Popkin, Harry M., American, 1906 - 1991

Million Dollar Productions, American, 1937 - 1940

Subject of

Cooper, Ralph, American, 1908 - 1992

Hawley, Monte, American, 1901 - 1950

Snyder, Gladys, American, 1920 - 1998

Criner, John L., American, 1898 - 1965

Brooks, Jess Lee, American, 1894 - 1944

Sheffield, Maceo Bruce, American, 1897 - 1959

Hawkins, Charles, American

Fenderson, Reginald, American, 1911 - 1986

Thomas, Johnny

Johnson, Bobby, American, 1910 - 1982

Roberts, Henry

Garrison, Harold, American, 1901 - 1974

Date

1940

Medium

acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 60 Minutes

Length (Film Reel 1): 1100 Feet

Length (Film Reel 2): 1250 Feet

Description

A 16mm release print of the feature film Gang War. It consists of two reels of positive, black-and-white, 16mm acetate film strips with variable-area optical sound. The film is about two Harlem gangs fighting for control of a jukebox “racket.” It opens with a newspaper headline from the Daily Times about a recent surge in crime. This is followed by a scene in a diner in which a gang member, Bob “Killer” Meade (Ralph Cooper), accuses members of a rival gang of conducting business in the wrong territory and a fight erupts between the two gangs. Some of the men flee the diner and run into a waiting car as another man shoots at them through a window. A chase between the men in the car and police officers ensues. The film ends with Bob “Killer” Meade resisting arrest by assaulting a police officer, which leads to a shootout between Killer and other law enforcement personnel.

Place depicted

Harlem, New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Place filmed

United States, North and Central America

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Type

sound films

black-and-white films (visual works)

release prints (motion pictures)

feature films

16mm (photographic film size)

Topic

Actors

Business

Nightlife

Race films

Urban life

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Randall and Sam Nieman

Object number

2015.167.8.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

Usage

Usage conditions apply

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5ea1a6156-d507-475c-b5ee-3450d8b6f123

Boy! What A Girl

Directed by

Leonard, Arthur H., American, 1904 - 1956

Written by

Valentini, Vincent Andrew, American, 1895 - 1948

Produced by

Leonard, Arthur H., American, 1904 - 1956

Goldberg, Jack, ca. 1889 - 1959

Edited by

Kemp, Jack

Subject of

Moore, Tim, American, 1887 - 1958

Stewart, Slam, American, 1914 - 1987

Catlett, Sidney, American, 1910 - 1951

Smith, Elwood, American, 1913 - 1992

Williams, Duke

Jackson, Alan

Guyse, Sheila, American, 1925 - 2013

Betti Mays, American, 1923 - 2014

Lewis, Sybil, American, 1919 - 1988

Patterson, Warren

Wood, Milton

Composed by

Williams, Mary Lou, American, 1910 - 1981

Bishop McCollough, Walter, American, 1915 - 1991

Date

1947

Medium

acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 73 Minutes

Length (Film Reel 1): 1200 Feet

Length (Film Reel 2): 1200 Feet

Description

A 16mm release print of the feature film Boy! What A Girl!. It consists of two reels of positive, black-and-white, 16mm acetate film with variable-area optical sound. The first scene opens with a street view of New York City. At one point, a street sign at the intersection of 138th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue comes into focus on the screen. The footage then quickly jumps to a man playing a double base as four other individuals listen. At the end of his performance, Bumpsie (Tim Moore), who is one of the four and wears a long dress, falls to the floor and the other listeners laugh. The rest of the film follows two musical producers, Jim Walton (Elwood Smith) and Harry Diggs (Duke Williams), who struggle to find investors to finance their latest show. Mr. Cummings (Alan Jackson), the father of Jim Walton’s love interest, agrees to invest in their enterprise on one condition: the two producers must convince a Parisian impresario, Madame Deborah (Sybil Lewis), to finance the film as well. The producers convince Bumpsie to pose as Madame Deborah. Everything goes as planned, until the real Madame Deborah shows up.

Place depicted

New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Place filmed

New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Type

sound films

black-and-white films (visual works)

release prints (motion pictures)

feature films

16mm (photographic film size)

Topic

Actors

Comedy

Jazz (Music)

Race films

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Randall and Sam Nieman

Object number

2015.167.1.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

Usage

Usage conditions apply

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5e2232e61-7321-4091-b2ef-ac171c6176b6

Photograph of Run-D.M.C. on the rooftop of Russell Simmons's apartment

Photograph by

Powell, Ricky, American, 1961 - 2021

Subject of

Run-D.M.C., American, 1981 - 2002

Rev. Run, American, born 1964

McDaniels, Darryl Matthews, American, born 1964

Jam Master Jay, American, 1965 - 2002

Simmons, Russell, American, born 1957

New York Giants, American, founded 1925

Date

ca. 1990; printed 2004

Medium

dye and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Sheet): 11 × 14 in. (27.9 × 35.6 cm)

Description

A color photograph of Run-D.M.C. on the rooftop veranda of Russell Simmons's apt. on E.4th St. The trio is pictured leaning against the white railing with a view of the city behind them. Jam Master Jay, at left, wears light-colored denim pants and shirt, a heavy gold chain with a large medallion, and a red and blue New York Giants stocking cap. D.M.C., center, wears a black hat, sunglasses, and turtle neck, with a necklace with a medallion in the shape of a head. Run (Russell Simmons), to the right, wears a black sweatshirt and a blue New York Giants baseball cap. The photograph is signed by the photographer beneath the image at the bottom left corner [Ricky Powell '04]. There are no inscriptions on the back.

Place captured

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Collection title

Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Type

chromogenic color prints

Topic

Fashion

Hip hop (Music)

Musicians

Photography

Rappers (Musicians)

Urban life

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2015.132.368

Restrictions & Rights

© Ricky Powell

Usage

Usage conditions apply

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd547f2a626-863e-4898-b489-0b5f538276f2

Playbill for Def Poetry Jam on Broadway

Published by

Playbill, American, founded 1884

Used by

Longacre Theatre, American, founded 1913

Subject of

Simmons, Russell, American, born 1957

Lathan, Stan, American, born 1945

Sia, Beau, American, born 1976

Ice, Black, American

Chin, Staceyann, American, born 1972

Colman, Steve, American

Del Valle, Mayda, American, born 1978

Me, Georgia, American

Hammad, Suheir, Jordanian American, born 1973

Poetri, American, born 1974

Lemon, American, born 1975

Date

2002

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 8 3/4 x 5 3/4 in. (22.2 x 14.6 cm)

Description

Playbill for Def Poetry Jam on Broadway. White background with yellow box at top, gray box below with large white circle center, title over the top in black. [PLAYBILL/LONGACRE THEATRE/DEF/POETRY/JAM/ON/BROADWAY] White circular sticker on back, handwritten 2002.

Transcription Center Status

Transcribed by digital volunteers

Place used

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Movement

Nuyorican Movement

Type

theater programs

Topic

Broadway Theatre

Hip hop (Music)

Spoken word (Poetry)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Kayla Deigh Owens

Object number

2011.45.22

Restrictions & Rights

Playbill used by permission. All rights reserved, Playbill Inc.

Usage

Usage conditions apply

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd515f2d3dc-172d-48b6-83f8-8d20134623aa

Recarte

Created by

Pusey, Mavis, Jamaican American, 1928 - 2019

Date

ca. 1968

On View

Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052

Exhibition

Visual Art and the American Experience

Medium

oil paint on canvas

Dimensions

H x W x D (unframed): 63 × 45 1/4 × 1 in. (160 × 115 × 2.5 cm)

H x W x D (frame): 65 3/4 × 47 1/2 × 2 1/2 in. (167 × 120.7 × 6.4 cm)

Description

This oil painting on canvas is an abstract configuration of various geometrical forms in red, green, yellow, blue, and black. Rectilinear forms make up a composition of blocks and a few partial spherical shapes standing and leaning against one another.

Place made

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Classification

Visual Arts

Type

paintings

Topic

Art

Urban life

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2012.13.2

Restrictions & Rights

© Mavis Pusey Estate. Permission required for use.

Usage

Usage conditions apply

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd583f592cc-834f-4967-bf5c-a64a7e0e70de

Metal button tab with the slogan "Use Your Vote"

Manufactured by

Don Howard Associates Inc., American

Distributed by

Bristol Myers Squibb, American, founded 1887

Date

1960s

Medium

ink on metal

Dimensions

H x W x D: 2 × 2 × 1/4 in. (5.1 × 5.1 × 0.6 cm)

Description

A metal button tab with a white background and text that reads [Use Your Vote / TM] throughout. The word vote is in white lettering against red and orange blocks. The back of the button has a metal tab. On the tab red text reads [don howard assoc. inc. New York N.Y. 10036].

Place made

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Political and Activist Ephemera

Type

buttons (information artifacts)

Topic

Advertising

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of T. Rasul Murray

Object number

2013.68.59

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

Usage

Not determined

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd54a93a752-7d7f-41bb-9ba9-eb27048d727b

Zygote

Published by

Unidentified

Subject of

Zygote Magazine

Young Lords Party, American, founded 1969

Date

January 8, 1971

Medium

ink on paper with metal

Dimensions

H x W x D: 17 13/16 × 11 13/16 in. (45.2 × 30 cm)

Description

Zygote newspaper from January 8, 1971. In the top half of the cover is a stylized stained glass, arched window with dark and light blue, dark purple, light orange, yellow and red. At the top of the window in red, stylized text is the publication title: [Zygote]. In the upper left corner, outside the arch, is the date in black type: [PDC/Jan. 8, 1971]. In the upper right corner, outside the arch, is the price, listed in black type inside a yellow circle outlined in orange [50¢]. The window is depicted with a floral motif on either side. In the center of the arch is an oval with black type that reads: [Poco / Elton John / Jesse Winchester / Young Lords]. Below the window, on a light blue background are several paragraphs and columns of text listing the publisher information; the policy on accepting reader-written work; the staff, including artists, photographers, and contributors; and table of contents. The interior consists of fifty-five pages.

Place made

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Political and Activist Ephemera

Movement

Young Lords Movement

Type

magazines (periodicals)

Topic

Political organizations

Politics

U.S. History, 1969-2001

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2014.109.7.13

Restrictions & Rights

© 1970 Climatic Sound, Inc. Permission required for use.

Usage

Usage conditions apply

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd52076b094-e13b-4a46-b0e1-f0c039af6fbc

The Case of Dred Scott in the United States Supreme Court

Written by

Chief Justice Taney, Roger B., American, 1777 - 1964

Justice Curtis, Benjamin Robbins, American, 1809 - 1874

Published by

Greeley, Horace, American, 1811 - 1872

Subject of

Scott, Dred, American, ca 1800 - 1858

Date

1857

On View

Concourse 3, C3 053

Exhibition

Slavery and Freedom

Medium

ink on paper with string

Dimensions

H x W x D: 9 1/16 × 5 13/16 × 5/16 in. (23 × 14.7 × 0.8 cm)

Description

A first edition, octavo volume of The Case of Dred Scott in the United States Supreme Court with sewn self-wrappers. The title and publishing information are printed in black ink, centered on the front wrap against a plain background: [The Case / OF / DRED SCOTT / IN THE / UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT. / THE FULL DECISION OF / CHIEF JUSTICE TANEY / AND / JUSTICE CURTIS / AND ABSTRACTS OF THE / OPINIONS OF THE OTHER JUDGES; / WITH ANALYSIS OF THE POINTS RULED, AND SOME / CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. / NEW YORK / GREELEY & McELRATH, TRIBUNE BUILDINGS / 1857. / Price, 25 Cents; $1 for Five Copies; $2 per Dozen; $15 per Hundred.] There are 104 pages. The text concludes with the sections [RESOLUTIONS] and [AN ACT TO SECURE THE FREEDOM OF ALL PERSONS WITHIN THIS STATE.] on the back. The volume is inscribed to the New York State congressman Robert J. Hale at the top center of the front wrap: [Robt. Hale from R. W. Livingston, July / 57].

Place printed

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Type

reports

Topic

Civil rights

Emancipation

Government

Law

Politics

Race discrimination

Slavery

U.S. History, 1815-1861

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2015.262

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

Usage

CC0

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5c1529cce-9678-43b6-9fc9-8115e1b2df55

D.M.C. - Hollis, Queens '87

Photograph by

Powell, Ricky, American, 1961 - 2021

Subject of

McDaniels, Darryl Matthews, American, born 1964

Adidas AG, German, founded 1948

Date

1987; printed 2003

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Sheet): 10 15/16 × 13 7/8 in. (27.8 × 35.2 cm)

H x W (Image): 8 × 12 in. (20.3 × 30.5 cm)

Description

A black-and-white photograph of D.M.C. (Darryl McDaniels) riding in an ice cream truck in Hollis, Queens. McDaniels is pictured crouching in the open doorway of the truck, wearing a white paper hat and white jacket over an Adidas track jacket. He also wears sunglasses and white Adidas shoes. He is smiling and holding a cigarette in his left hand. Just below the image is a handwritten inscription reading [D.M.C. - HOLLIS, QUEENS '87] along with the photographer's signature [Ricky Powell / '03].

Place captured

Hollis, Queens, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Collection title

Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Type

gelatin silver prints

Topic

Cooking and dining

Hip hop (Music)

Musicians

Photography

Rappers (Musicians)

Urban life

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2015.132.338

Restrictions & Rights

© Ricky Powell

Usage

Usage conditions apply

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd51df88cb2-71bd-4843-a419-70394d164596

Hat, leather jacket, and leather pants worn by Rakim

Designed by

Dapper Dan, American, born 1945

Manufactured by

Scala, founded 1921

Worn by

Rakim, American, born 1968

Date

2006

Medium

Hat: wool felt, grosgrain ribbon, feathers, and synthetic fiber

Jacket: leather, nylon cloth, and plastic zipper

Pants: leather, polyester fleece, and plastic closures

Dimensions

H x W x D (2016.10.1-.3 (on form)): 69 × 29 × 15 in. (175.3 × 73.7 × 38.1 cm)

H x W x D (2016.10.2-.3 (on form)): 61 1/2 × 29 × 15 in. (156.2 × 73.7 × 38.1 cm)

Description

An ensemble featuring a brown felt homburg hat (.1) by Scala and a brown leather jacket (.2) and pants (.3) designed by Dapper Dan for Rakim, and worn by Rakim at the 2006 VH1 Hip Hop Honors event.

Place made

Harlem, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Classification

Clothing-Fashion

Type

ensembles (costume)

Topic

Clothing and dress

Fashion

Hip hop (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Rakim

Object number

2016.10.2

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

Usage

Not determined

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5c6f10a88-d65f-477d-9a07-897cf74b4a3a

Photograph of Rakim and Just-Ice

Photograph by

Pereira, Al, American, born 1963

Subject of

Rakim, American, born 1968

Just-Ice, American, born 1965

Date

ca. 1989

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Sheet): 13 15/16 × 10 15/16 in. (35.4 × 27.8 cm)

H x W (Image): 13 × 8 5/8 in. (33 × 21.9 cm)

Description

A black-and-white photograph of Rakim (William Griffin, Jr.) and Just-Ice (Joseph Williams, Jr.) in New York City. Rakim, to the left, stands with his arms crossed across his chest. He wears a necklace with a large, round medallion and a knit bucket hat. Just-Ice, to the right, leans against a speaker case and wears multiple necklaces with large, dark-colored medallions and a Gucci hat. On the verso is an inscription by Bill Adler identifying the subjects and photographer.

Place captured

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Collection title

Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Type

gelatin silver prints

Topic

Fashion

Hip hop (Music)

Musicians

Photography

Rappers (Musicians)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2015.132.306

Restrictions & Rights

© Al Pereira

Usage

Usage conditions apply

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5a3f506dd-cae2-4524-8130-6bbe91d39382

Flyer advertising "Afrika Night & Dance" benefit for a free Zimbabwe

Created by

Zimbabwe Relief and Development Fund, INC., American, founded 1970

Subject of

Innis, Roy, American, born 1934

Chisholm, Shirley Anita, American, 1924 - 2005

Jordan, Vernon, American, born 1935

Wilkins, Roy, American, 1901 - 1981

Logan, Jomo, American

Kenneth A. Gibson, American, born 1932

Francis, Ennis, American

Wingate, Livingston, American

Johns, Alma, American

Rangle, Charles Bernard, American, born 1930

Sutton, Percy Ellis, American, 1920 - 2009

National Urban League, American, founded 1910

Date

March 1972

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W (Sheet): 11 × 8 1/2 in. (27.9 × 21.6 cm)

Description

This flyer advertises the second annual Afrika Night & Dance of the Zimbabwe Relief and Development Fund Inc. The flyer is white with black text that reads [Zimbabwe Relief and Development Fund Inc. / PRESENTS ITS SECOND ANNUAL / AFRIKA NIGHT & DANCE / BENEFIT FOR / A FREE ZIMBABWE (Rhodesia) / A NIGHT especially dedicated to the Struggle for FREEDOM / IN ZIMBABWE. / Our brothers and sisters in ZIMBABWE have an avowed deter- / mination to fight it out until they become FREE. You can help / them help themselves still MORE. / AFRIKA NIGHT and DANCE has been organization for you just / for this purpose. It is NOT just another affair...It is THE / AFFAIR --For A Cause! / Let's Weld Our Brotherhood With ACTION At: / CONCOURSE PLAZA GRAND BALLROOM / Grand Concourse at 161 Street Bronx, N.Y. / SATURDAY, MARCH 4th, 1972 / 10 P.M. - 3 A.M. / CHA-CHA-CHA!! -AFRIKAN HIGHLIFE CALYPSO RHYTHMS / AFRIKAN- AMERICN HITS / Presenting the Fantastic Afrikan Band: / MENSAH and EKOW BOTCHEY / DONATION: $6.00 Dress Optional Packages Permitted / Tickets Information: / Leorna Barzey: 893-7905 (eve.) / Mhezi Gutu: 283-3780 / Evelyn Kaonza: 749-0700 x216 / Mashoko Chinhenzwah: 281-0754 (eve.) / SislyeMahlahla: 887-2402 (Eve.) / Invited Guests of Honor Include: / African Ambassadors to the United Nations / Honorable Kenneth A. Gibson --Mayor of Newark / Percy Sutton --Borough President of Manhattan / Congressman Charles Rangel / Roy Wilkins--Executive Director NAACP / Alma Johns--WWRL Commentator / Vernon Jordan, Jr. --Exec. Dir. N.A.T. Urban League / Livingston Wingate--Director of N. Y. C. Urban / League / Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm / Roy Innis / Ennis Francis--International Commission on Africa / Jomo Logan].

The back of the flyer is blank except for the text written in the bottom left corner that reads [MARCH 1972].

Place used

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Place depicted

Zimbabwe, Africa

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Political and Activist Ephemera

Movement

Pan Africanism

Type

fliers (printed matter)

Topic

Activism

Africa

Afrobeat (Music)

Black power

Calypso (Music)

Dance

Decolonization

International affairs

Music

U.S. History, 1969-2001

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2015.97.27.49

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

Usage

CC0

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd50de62389-185a-4114-acdd-0cc8a20bd93b

Black and Tan Fantasy

Directed by

Murphy, Dudley, American, 1897 - 1968

Written by

Murphy, Dudley, American, 1897 - 1968

Subject of

Ellington, Duke, American, 1899 - 1974

Washington, Fredi, United States, 1903 - 1994

Cotton Club, American, 1923 - 1940

Alex Lovejoy, American, 1893 - 1946

Ellington, Duke Orchestra, American

Date

1929

Medium

acetate film, cardboard, metal and nylon

Dimensions

Duration: 20 Minutes

Length (Film): 700 Feet

Description

A 16mm release print of the short film Black and Tan Fantasy. It consists of a single reel of positive, black-and-white, 16mm acetate film (a) with variable-area optical sound. A metal film reel (b), a film cannister (c) and a cardboard shipping box (d) also accompany the 16mm film strip. The film reel and cannister are both brown. The shipping box, which is also brown, has black metal corners as well as black straps made of nylon webbing.

In the opening scene, two men sit and play musical instruments. Duke Ellington, who is one of the musicians, plays the piano with his back turned to the camera while the other man plays a trumpet. The film goes on to tell the story of Ellington’s struggle to get bookings for his band. Ellington’s girlfriend (played by Fredi Washington), attempts to assist him by dancing in his show in order to cement its success, even though she knows her heart condition will ultimately not allow her to survive the performance.

Place filmed

Astoria, New York City, Queens County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Place depicted

Harlem, New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Movement

Harlem Renaissance (New Negro Movement)

Type

sound films

black-and-white films (visual works)

release prints (motion pictures)

short subjects

16mm (photographic film size)

Topic

Actors

Jazz (Music)

Musicians

Race films

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Randall and Sam Nieman

Object number

2015.167.2.1a-d

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

Usage

Usage conditions apply

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5b89ef076-c509-46ed-b8a8-1cb5abc32ebf

St. Louis Blues

Created by

Murphy, Dudley, American, 1897 - 1968

Produced by

Handy, W.C., American, 1873 - 1958

Subject of

Smith, Bessie, American, 1894 - 1937

Owned by

Bowser, Pearl, American, born 1931

Date

1929

Medium

acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 15 Minutes

Length (Film): 550 Feet

Title

16mm motion picture film of St. Louis Blues

Caption

"St. Louis Blues" is a 1929 short film directed by Dudley Murphy and starring Bessie Smith. The film is based upon Smith's performance of the blues standard, "St. Louis Blues" and is the only footage of her known to exist. The film was added to the National Film Registry in 2006.

Description

The film begins with a group of men arguing over a game of craps in the hallway of a building. a Janitor excoriates them for making a mess, but is pacified with a small amount of money. A man named Jimmy and an unidentified woman approach the group and Jimmy joins the game. After winning a round, Jimmy and the woman enter an apartment in the building. The woman asks Jimmy what would happen if his significant other, Bessie, walked in and he tells her not worry about it before embracing her romantically. The film cuts back to the hallway where Bessie has entered the building; the gathered crowd quiets as she enters. Upon going into her apartment, she discover Jimmy and the woman; she immediately attacks the woman and kicks her out the apartment. Bessie then pleads with Jimmy not leave her, but to no avail. Jimmy shoves her to the ground before exiting the apartment with his suitcase. Bessie begins singing "The St. Louis Blues" while seated on the floor. The film tranisitions to a nightclub where Bessie continues to sing with the accompaniment of a band and chorus while leaning against the bar. The patrons and staff of the club begin dancing during an upbeat instrumental interlude. Jimmy enters the club to the applause of the crowd and performs a brief tap dance routine. He calls to Bessie and the two embrace happily before dancing together. At the conclusion of the dance, Jimmy exits the club and Bessie sadly returns to the bar. She again sings "The St. Louis Blues" as the film draws to a close.

Place filmed

Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Collection title

Pearl Bowser Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

16mm (photographic film size)

Topic

Blues (Music)

Film

Jazz (Music)

Musical films

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Pearl Bowser

Object number

2012.79.1.39.2a

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

Usage

Usage conditions apply

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5321ce5bf-f733-49e7-ae8e-904cbe7960c1

I Can't Breathe (Water Table)

Created by

Dyson, Torkwase, American, born 1970

Subject of

Brown, Henry Box, American, 1815 - 1897

Date

2018

On View

Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052

Exhibition

Visual Art and the American Experience

Medium

acrylic paint on canvas with wood and wire

Dimensions

H x W x D: 96 × 72 × 2 in. (243.8 × 132.9 × 5.1 cm)

Caption

The Water Table series is conceived as a letter to Henry "Box" Brown (c. 1815-1897), an enslaved African American who escaped to freedom by shipping himself in a crate from Virginia to Philadelphia. The paintings in this series are visual deconstructions of natural and built environments that consider how individuals negotiate and negate various types of systems and spatial order.

Description

An acrylic painting on cotton canvas with a grey background. Centrally depicted three distinct shapes created with various brushstrokes. On each side of the canvas is a bright cloudy white cube. Bright and wide brushstrokes of red and white impasto feature strongly at the top middle and right of the canvas, while the same white and red impasto features minimally at the top and bottom of the canvas. The painting was executed primarily in thin, horizontal washes, which resulted in the layering of numerous vertical drips. Occasional passages of thick impasto are present throughout.

Place made

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Portfolio/Series

Water Table

Classification

Visual Arts

Type

paintings

Topic

Architecture

Art

Fugitive enslaved

Self-liberation

Transportation

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2018.77

Restrictions & Rights

© Torkwase Dyson

Usage

Usage conditions apply

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5ccceab11-6dc7-40d0-bac3-603a2b6894ec