Two-Gun Man from Harlem

Directed by

Kahn, Richard C., American, 1897 - 1960

Written by

Myton, Fred, American, 1885 - 1955

Kahn, Richard C., American, 1897 - 1960

Distributed by

Sack Amusement Enterprises, American, 1920 - 1979

Subject of

Jeffries, Herb, American, 1913 - 2014

Brooks, Clarence, American, 1896 - 1969

Moreland, Mantan, American, 1902 - 1973

Williams, Spencer, American, 1893-1969

Whitten, Marguerite, American, 1913 - 1990

Brooks, Jess Lee, American, 1894 - 1944

Southern, Tom, American, 1906 - 1980

Turner, Mae, American, 1908 - 1999

Beard, Mathew Jr., American, 1925 - 1981

Lincoln, Rosalie, American, 1909 - 1992

The Cats and the Fiddle, American, 1937 - 1951

The Four Tones, American

Blackman, Paul

Date

1938

Medium

acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 66 Minutes

Length (Film Reel 1): 600 Feet

Length (Film Reel 2): 1600 Feet

Description

A 16mm release print of the feature film Two-Gun Man from Harlem. It consists of two reels of positive, black-and-white, 16mm acetate film with variable-density optical sound.

The film opens with Bob Blake (Herb Jeffries), a cowboy, leading The Four Tones, a quartet, in a musical performance under a tree. A fifth man decides to join them in chorus, but Bob accuses him of being a bad singer. The rest of the film follows Bob, who is framed for his boss’ murder. Bob flees to Harlem, New York, where he meets Deacon, a Harlem gangster with whom he bears a striking resemblance. Deacon is murdered by rival gangsters and Bob ceases the opportunity to assume the dead man’s identity. In the closing scene, Bob explains to the sheriff that he is innocent, and the real murderer is arrested.

Place depicted

Wyoming, United States, North and Central America

Place filmed

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States, North and Central America

Place depicted

Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, 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

American West

Hollywood (Film)

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

2015.167.21.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

Usage

Usage conditions apply

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd54617dbe0-c61d-4ef3-9f5c-8a440e1f9ffc

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 sound. A single row of perforations runs along one edge of each film strip, while a variable-area, optical-sound (audio on film) track runs along the other.

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

Son of Ingagi

Directed by

Kahn, Richard C., American, 1897 - 1960

Written by

Williams, Spencer, American, 1893-1969

Produced by

Kahn, Richard C., American, 1897 - 1960

Distributed by

Sack Amusement Enterprises, American, 1920 - 1979

Subject of

Williams, Spencer, American, 1893-1969

Williams, Zack, American, 1884 - 1958

Bowman, Laura, American, 1881 - 1957

Grant, Alfred, American, 1912 - 1984

Bufford, Daisy, American, 1913 - 1987

Graves, Jesse, American, 1879 - 1949

Ray, Arthur, American, 1888 - 1942

Morris, Earle, American, born 1897

The Four Toppers, American

Date

1940

Medium

acetate film, metal and cardboard

Dimensions

Duration: 70 Minutes

Length (Film Reel 1): 1000 Feet

Length (Film Reel 2): 900 Feet

Description

A 16mm release print of the feature film Son of Ingagi. It consists of two reels of positive, black-and-white, 16mm acetate film (a) and (b) with variable-area optical sound. Two (2) metal film reels (c) and (d), and a film shipping box (e) also accompany the 16mm films. A pink and white label is taped onto the shipping box, with ["SON OF INGAGI"/ +/ "LYING LIPS"/ (SAFETY)] handwritten onto it in black ink; [WALD TRANSFER & STORAGE CO.] is printed on the bottom of the label in pink uppercase letters. There are three (3) other labels on the shipping box, all of which are blue and white. Two (2) of the other labels also have information handwritten onto them.

The film opens with a couple, Eleanor (Daisy Bufford) and Bob Lindsay (Alfred Grant), getting married inside a church. On their way out of the church, they are greeted by Mr. Bradshaw (Earle Morris), a divorce attorney, who congratulates them on their nuptials. Shortly after, two other individuals, Dr. Helen Jackson (Laura Bowman) and Detective Nelson (Spencer Williams), join Mr. Bradshaw. The rest of the film follows Dr. Jackson’s attempt to conceal a creature she brought back from a recent trip to Africa.

Place filmed

United States, North and Central America

Place depicted

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

Domestic life

Race films

Credit Line

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

Object number

2015.167.18.1a-e

Restrictions & Rights

No known copyright restrictions

Usage

Not determined

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd59ad69fd2-7f52-4695-bf38-acd6246289ac

Harlem Rides the Range

Directed by

Kahn, Richard C., American, 1897 - 1960

Written by

Williams, Spencer, American, 1893-1969

Miller, Flournoy, American, 1885 - 1971

Produced by

Alfred N. Sack, American, 1898 - 1969

Kahn, Richard C., American, 1897 - 1960

Distributed by

Sack Amusement Enterprises, American, 1920 - 1979

Subject of

Jeffries, Herb, American, 1913 - 2014

Brooks, Lucius, American, 1911 - 1999

Christmas, Leonard, American, 1897 - 1982

Brooks, Clarence, American, 1896 - 1969

Young, Artie, American, 1915 - 1989

Williams, Spencer, American, 1893-1969

Southern, Tom, American, 1906 - 1980

Dumas, Wade, American, 1905 - 1983

Miller, Flournoy, American, 1885 - 1971

Thomas, John, American, 1914 - 1981

The Four Tones, American

The Four Blackbirds

Murray's Dude Ranch, American, 1922 - 1960

Date

1939

Medium

acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 58 Minutes

Length (Film Reel 1): 1100 Feet

Length (Film Reel 2): 1100 Feet

Description

A 16mm release print of the feature film Harlem Rides the Range. It consists of two reels of positive, black-and-white, 16mm acetate film strips with variable-area optical sound.

In the opening scene, Jim Dennison (Leonard Christmas), a homesteader, is approached by two men, Bradley (Clarence Brooks) and Jim Connors (Tom Southern), for outstanding mortgage. Dennison refuses to pay or acquiesce to giving the men a fifty-percent share of his mine. A fight ensues which leaves Dennison unresponsive. The rest of the film chronicles how a cowboy named Bob (Herb Jeffries) and his sidekick Dusty (Lucius Brooks) assist Mr. Dennison with his financial problems.

Place depicted

Arizona, United States, North and Central America

Place filmed

Sindewinder Valley, Apple Valley, San Bernadino County, California, 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

American West

Business

Race films

Western films

Credit Line

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

Object number

2015.167.9.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

Usage

Usage conditions apply

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5b2496819-ec6d-4008-b360-0dff267bf4b0

Advertisement for Amos 'n' Andy Television Show sponsored by Blatz

Commissioned by

Valentin Blatz Brewing Company, American, 1851 - 1959

Published by

Life Magazine, 1883 - 2007

Subject of

Amos 'n' Andy, American, 1928 - 1960

Childress, Alvin, American, 1907 - 1986

Williams, Spencer, American, 1893-1969

CBS Broadcasting, Inc., American, founded 1927

Date

June 25, 1951

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W (2015.64a: unfolded): 14 1/16 × 20 3/4 in. (35.7 × 52.7 cm)

H x W (2015.64a: folded): 14 1/16 × 10 3/8 in. (35.7 × 26.4 cm)

H x W (2015.64b: unfolded): 14 1/16 × 20 3/4 in. (35.7 × 52.7 cm)

H x W (2015.64b: folded): 14 1/16 × 10 3/8 in. (35.7 × 26.4 cm)

Description

A black and white magazine advertisement for the television show “The Amos 'n Andy Show” from Life Magazine, Volume 30, Number 26, pages 98–99. The advertisement features images of the head of Alvin Childress as cabdriver Amos Jones on page 98 (2015.64.4a) and the head of Spencer Williams as Andy Brown on page 99 (2015.64.4b). Childress is wearing a New York City taxi driver hat, while Williams is wearing a dark derby hat with a silk band and is smoking a cigar. The top third of the advertisement runs across both pages and reads, [Blatz / presents… / Amos ‘n’] on 2015.64.4a, and [Andy on TV!] on 2015.64.4b, with an image of a taxi cab driver hat hanging on the “A” over [Amos] and a derby hat hanging on the “A” over [Andy]. On the bottom of 2015.64.4b, the left half of the page text reads, [Meet a legend / face to face… / World premiere, / week of June 24th / At last, you can see America’s / most heartwarming cast of comedians / in the finest entertainment television / has ever produced. See them all… / Amos, Andy, Kingfish, Lightenin’, / Tune in…meet a legend face to face! / Proudly presented by / Blatz Beer…Milwaukee’s finest / on behalf of its dealers everywhere. / Blatz Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wis.]. The text on the bottom right corner reads [Another TV triumph from CBS / Consult your local newspaper / for date, time, and channel.]. 2015.64.4a also includes pages 23, 24 and 97. 2015.64.4b also includes pages 21, 22, and 100. Page 21 indicates that this issue dates to June 25, 1951.

Statement

Objects depicting racist and/or stereotypical imagery or language may be offensive and disturbing, but the NMAAHC aims to include them in the Collection to present and preserve the historical context in which they were created and used. Objects of this type provide an important historical record from which to study and evaluate racism.

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Advertisements

Racist and Stereotypical Objects

Type

advertisements

Topic

Comedy

Men

Segregation

Sitcoms

Stereotypes

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Kathleen M. Kendrick

Object number

2015.64.4ab

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

Usage

Usage conditions apply

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd58f9e246a-9328-4477-a18c-4f9649fb90ce

Lobby card for the film Juke Joint

Printed by

Unidentified

Distributed by

Sack Amusement Enterprises, American, 1920 - 1979

Subject of

Goldberg, Bert, American

Alfred N. Sack, American, 1898 - 1969

Williams, Spencer, American, 1893-1969

Orr, Robert, American

Date

1947

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 11 × 13 15/16 in. (27.9 × 35.4 cm)

Description

Lobby card for the 1947 film Juke Joint. The card is white with colored images and blue, red and yellow text. In the top left corner is a blue-and-white image of a man and woman dancing. A Sack Amusement Enterprises logo is over the dancers. Printed below the dancers on the right side is [ALFRED N. SACK / presents / JULY / JONES / SPENCER / WILLIAMS]. A large color photographic image of men playing pool is at the center of the card. In the top right corner are two blue-and-white images of a man and woman dancing. In the bottom left corner is a black-and-white photographic image of a man on one knee looking through a keyhole. At the bottom of the card printed in yellow ink on a red background is [in JUKE JOINT] in large text. Printed below this in black ink on a white background is [A BERT GOLDBERG PRODUCTION] and [Distributed by SACK AMUSEMENT ENTERPRISES]. The right side of the card is stained and torn. The back of the card is blank.

Place used

United States, North and Central America

Place depicted

Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, United States, North and Central America

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Type

lobby cards

Topic

Actors

Advertising

Film

Race films

Credit Line

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

Object number

2019.22.19

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

Usage

Not determined

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5651c122a-17e0-416e-9116-d698046ca9c3

Lobby card for Girl in Room 20

Subject of

Williams, Spencer, American, 1893-1969

Brock, Geraldine, American, born 1929

Created by

United Films, active ca. 1940s

Date

ca. 1949

On View

Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 054

Exhibition

Taking the Stage

Medium

paper (fiber product)

Dimensions

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

Description

A lobby card for the movie Girl in Room 20. The card is comprised of several images. One is a black-and-white image of two men and a woman. The woman (Geraldine Brock) is cowering in a chair and looking at one of the men who is making a fist and threatening the other man, who is down on the floor looking back up at him. There is another black-and-white image of the same woman standing in front of a counter in an office signing a document. She is dressed in a suit and hat and holding a purse. There is a man in a suit standing on the other side of a counter. In the upper proper right corner there is a red image of a woman dressed in a fur coat and holding a gun. In the lower proper right corner there is a a cartoon drawing also printed in red of a man punching another man. In the center and lower proper left there is text that reads [GERALDINE BROCK/ AS THE/ GIRL in ROOM 20/ Spencer WILLIAMS. July JONES/ OUTSTANDING COLORED CAST SMASH HIT].

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Advertisements

Type

lobby cards

Topic

Race films

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of David A. Lowrance

Object number

2011.160.5

Restrictions & Rights

public domain

Usage

CC0

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5313c7b43-9aa1-4bb4-a78b-8896ad91ce81

Lobby card for Go Down, Death!

Distributed by

Sack Amusement Enterprises, American, 1920 - 1979

Subject of

Alfred N. Sack, American, 1898 - 1969

Williams, Spencer, American, 1893-1969

Hemmings, Myra, American, 1895 - 1968

The Heavenly Choir, American

Jimmie Green's Orchestra, American

Johnson, James Weldon, American, 1871 - 1938

Date

1944

On View

Second Floor, 2 050

Exhibition

Now Showing: Posters from African American Movies

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W (image): 9 15/16 × 12 7/8 in. (25.2 × 32.7 cm)

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

Description

Lobby card for "Go Down, Death!".

The lobby card features a large tinted photograph of a scene from the film depicting a large congregation seated in pews inside a church. A large stained-glass window is on the far wall. The black and white image has had bright colors added to the stained-glass window and the clothing of some of the congregation members. Above the congregation is printed [ALFRED N. SACK / REVERENTLY PRESENTS] in small white text followed by [GO DOWN, DEATH!] in large yellow print and [THE STORY OF JESUS AND THE DEVIL] in white text. At the bottom left corner in yellow text is [ALL-COLORED CAST / WITH / SPENCER WILLIAMS / MYRA HEMMINGS / THE HEAVENLY CHOIR / JIMMIE GREEN'S ORCHESTRA / Story by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON]. There is a white and blue seal in the bottom right corner which reads [MARK OF MERIT / SACK / ATTRACTIONS]. There is a border around the image. There is blue text on the bottom proper right corner in the border which reads [*COUNTRY OF ORIGIN U.S.A.*]. On the back are black handwritten numbers going down horizontally on the left side which read [1416]. There are black handwritten numbers going up horizontally on the right side which read [4315]. In the top right corner there is handwriting in blue ink. The number "100" is crossed out. There is additional text which reads [N / 3707 / 100-].

Transcription Center Status

Transcribed by digital volunteers

Place used

United States, North and Central America

Collection title

A Cinema Apart: African American Film Memorabilia (Larry Richards Collection)

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Advertisements

Type

lobby cards

Topic

Actors

Advertising

Poetry

Preaching

Race films

Religion

Credit Line

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

Object number

2013.118.107.1

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

Usage

CC0

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd53eb3bfe8-d290-499b-8f7f-64c0991fb1d6

Poster for Brother Martin, Servant of Jesus

Distributed by

Bourgeois-Jenkins Pictures, American, active 1940s

Subject of

Williams, Spencer, American, 1893-1969

Date

1942

On View

Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 054

Exhibition

Taking the Stage

Medium

ink on paper (fiber product)

Dimensions

H x W (image): 39 × 25 1/8 in. (99 × 63.8 cm)

H x W (sheet): 41 1/16 × 27 3/16 in. (104.3 × 69 cm)

Description

A poster for the film Brother Martin Servant of Jesus depicting a crucifix in the top half and two scenes from the movie in the bottom half. Positioned on the right-hand side of the sheet, the cross is portrayed as brown wood with a white statue-like Christ figure. It is set against a yellow and black background. in the top left-hand corner is text that reads [(John) Jenkins & (O.K.) Bourgeois / present]. To the right and below the crucifix is text in large letters that reads [BROTHER / MARTIN / SERVANT OF / JESUS / featuring / SPENCER WILLIAMS / and a great supporting cast]. To the right is black text on a highlighted light background that reads [FULL LENGTH FEATURE / THE STORY OF A NEGRO / WHO LOVED GOD]. Below the text are two color scenes; on the right is a scene of a doctor and nurse bending over a patient lying in bed. In the left-hand scene is a seated man turning towards a standing little girl. The man wears a light-colored shirt and dark pants, and the little girl wears a plaid jumper over a white blouse. At the bottom left corner in black text against a pink background is [HEAR - the celebrated "NOBODY KNOWS / THE TROUBLE / I'VE SEEN"]. At the very bottom left corner is [Country of Origin U.S.A.] and in the bottom right is [34141].

Place used

United States, North and Central America

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Advertisements

Type

posters

Topic

Race films

Religion

Spirituals (Music)

Credit Line

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

Object number

2013.118.19

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

Usage

Not determined

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd52c0c6b59-fae6-4e30-b895-b48242a5ef8e