Created by

Oscar Micheaux, American, 1884 - 1951

Written by

Oscar Micheaux, American, 1884 - 1951

Owned by

Bowser, Pearl, American, born 1931

Medium

16mm Film (a): acetate film;

16mm Film (b): acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 70 Minutes

Length (Film), Reel 1: 1250 Feet

Length (Film), Reel 2: 1300 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place filmed

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

Place depicted

Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America

Date

1937

Caption

In this 16mm black and white feature film, a young African-American man is persuaded by a gambler to move to Chicago after graduating from a Southern university. Once there, he gets involved in the criminal underworld of Chicago, falls for a dame, and is framed for murder.

Description

This 16mm black and white feature film (a, b) was written and directed by renowed filmmaker Osacar Micheaux. This film is one example of "alternate versions", a common theme and plot structure in Oscar Micheaux's films. Underworld played at the Harlem Opera House in New York 30 Sep-3 Oct 1937

Consists of: 16mm Film (a)(b).

2012.79.1.33.1a, 2012.79.1.33.1b: 16mm black and white film.

After Paul Bronson graduates from a black college in the South, he accepts the invitation of Chicago gambler LeRoy Giles to vacation in Chicago. LeRoy, who has been having a secret affair for three years with singer Dinah Jackson, the wife of Sam Brown, owner of the Red Lily nightclub, has brought Paul to Chicago to fleece him, but Paul attracts Dinah's attention and they become involved during the next month. Paul wants to marry Dinah, but she refuses, saying she only wants their affair to continue as it is. After Paul refuses money offered by Dinah, he meets Evelyn Martin, who recognizes him from college and who is trying to run a beauty parlor. Evelyn and Paul have lunch together and are seen by LeRoy, whom Dinah has supported financially and who is upset about her affair with Paul. LeRoy tells Dinah about Evelyn, and she threatens to ruin Paul. After Paul tells Dinah that he has decided to go home, she arranges for LeRoy to drug and rob him. LeRoy doubles the dose and almost kills Paul. After Paul overhears LeRoy and Dinah discussing his money, he gets it back from LeRoy and, still groggy from the drug, goes to the Red Lily. Meanwhile, Sam's detectives tell him about Dinah's affair with LeRoy. When Sam catches them together, he orders her bank accounts closed and charge accounts canceled. LeRoy shoots Sam and puts the gun by his body. After Paul comes in dazed and picks up the gun, Dinah accuses him of killing Sam. She pays LeRoy to leave town and is able to keep Paul in town and away from Evelyn because of his confusion about the murder. However, Paul, now the manager of the Red Lily, meets Evelyn again, and after he tells Dinah he is through with her, she reports him to the police. After Dinah, on drugs and intoxicated, has a mental breakdown, her car is hit by a train and she is killed. Her affidavit seems certain to convict Paul when Ching Li, a Chinese man who worked and lived at the Red Lily, confesses to police that he witnessed the murder. Paul is freed and leaves the city with Evelyn.

Source: American Film Institute Catalog of Feature Films. 2016.

Topic

African American

American South

Business

Film

Nightlife

Race films

Urban life

Violence

Credit Line

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

Object number

2012.79.1.33.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

Public Domain

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Pearl Bowser Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Directed by

Leonard, Arthur H., 1904 - 1956

Composed by

Bishop McCollough, Walter, American, 1915 - 1991

Williams, Mary Lou, American, 1910 - 1981

Medium

16mm Film (a): acetate film;

16mm Film (b): acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 73 Minutes

Length (Film Reel 1): 1200 Feet

Length (Film Reel 2): 1200 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

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

Date

1947

Caption

Two musical producers struggle to get enough investors to finance their latest show. One potential backer agrees to invest on one condition: the two producers must find an additional investor to co-finance their show. The producers convince an associate to impersonate a 'Madame' to pose as the other female investor. Everything goes as planned, until the real Madame shows up.

Description

2015.167.1.1ab: 16mm black and white films.

Jim Walton (Elwood Smith) and his partner, Harry Diggs (Duke Williams), as two aspiring producers who try to convince a Chicago businessman to back their musical show.

In a Harlem apartment building, Jim Walton listens to Slam Stewart and his band, which he plans to feature in his new show along with female impersonator Bumpsie. Jim is in love with Cristola Cummings, whose wealthy father, believing that Jim is a successful producer, has promised to put up half the money for the new show if Parisian Madame Deborah will supply the rest of the funds. Cummings arrives unexpectedly from Chicago with Cristola and her sister Francine, hoping to meet Madame Deborah. Attempting to maintain a pretense of wealth, Jim and his partner, Harry Diggs, ask one of their actors to impersonate a butler. Their ruse is almost exposed when their landlord, Mr. Donaldson, demands that they pay their back rent, but Jim manages to convince Cummings that Donaldson is an actor in a play called "I Want My Room Rent." Learning that Madame Deborah will not arrive for a few days, Harry persuades Bumpsie to impersonate her by promising to star him in the new show. Later, when she is alone with Jim, Cristola scolds him for not writing, but embraces him when he honestly admits he does not have the Long Island mansion he claimed. While Francine gets to know Harry, Cummings converses with Bumpsie. Cummings, who is attracted to Bumpsie, hints that he would like to marry again for the sake of his daughters. Meanwhile, the real Madame Deborah arrives and introduces herself as "Mrs. Martin." Seeing that she is wealthy, Donaldson is pleased to rent a room to her. From Gaston, who has followed her from Paris, Donaldson learns that Madame Deborah has "oodles of money" and suddenly takes an interest in Bumpsie, who he thinks is Madame Deborah. Donaldson then plans a garden party in Madame Deborah's honor and offers his actor residents free rent for a week, plus ten dollars, for providing the entertainment. When Cummings learns that his daughters want to marry Jim and Harry, he objects at first, but later agrees to give his consent if Madame Deborah approves, as he will announce his engagement to her that night. Coincidentally, both Gaston and Donaldson also intend to announce their engagements to Madame Deborah that night. During the garden party, Bumpsie invites his two suitors to a rent party for Jim and Harry, explaining it is a rehearsal of a show titled "The Rent Party." When Bumpsie dances in a scanty ballet costume, Cummings, thinking that "Madame Deborah" is exposing herself to other men, jealously stalks out. Escaping from pranksters, Bumpsie encounters the real Madame Deborah, who hides him in her room, where he falls asleep. Outraged because he thinks that the whole building is being lured by Bumpsie's charms, Cummings decides to return to Chicago with his daughters. When Cristola confesses that she knows Jim is broke, but admires the way he has kept up his courage, the real Madame Deborah vows to intercede with Cummings. Although he has sworn to avoid women, Cummings is immediately attracted by Madame Deborah's flirtations. Meanwhile, two French thugs kidnap Bumpsie after they, too, mistake him for Madame Deborah. When Gaston removes the cover over Bumpsie's head, in preparation for a kiss, he recoils in horror. Bumpsie challenges him to a fight and then, still dressed in a ballet costume, runs away. When a dropped handkerchief is found in Madame Deborah's room, Cummings and Donaldson think she has been kidnapped. Meanwhile, the rent party erupts in a fight. Gaston threatens Madame Deborah and Cummings, and Jim punches him. Later Bumpsie reappears without his disguise, and Madame Deborah reveals her true identity. Cummings and Madame Deborah decide to marry, and all ends happily when they agree to back Jim's show.

Source: AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Accessed on August 9, 2016 (http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=25096)

Topic

African American

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

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Nieman Film Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Directed by

Randol, George Elwood, American, 1895 - 1973

Subject of

Dandridge, Ruby, American, 1900 - 1987

Produced by

Randol, George Elwood, American, 1895 - 1973

Medium

16mm Film (a): acetate film;

16mm Film (b): acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 57 Minutes

Length (Film Reel 1): 700 Feet

Length (Film Reel 2): 1240 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place depicted

Oklahoma, United States, North and Central America

Place filmed

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

Date

1939

Caption

In a small, quiet Oklahoma community, Prince Alihabad courts young Margaret Wilson. After a mysterious man burglarizes the house and murders Margaret's father, detectives scramble to solve the crime.

Description

2015.167.14.1ab: 16mm black and white films.

Mr. Wilson, a Texas landowner rich with oil, is murdered. Two young family friends set out to uncover the murderer. They journey to Shreveport where the crime is solved.

Over her mother Emma's objections, Margaret Wilson, an impressionable small-town beauty, encourages the romantic interests of the refined Prince Alihabad and rejects her longtime admirer, the sincere but poor Buster Barnett. Unknown to Margaret, Alihabad is a charlatan from the vaudeville circuit, whose interest in the East Texas oil field that her father Dan has set aside for her wedding present appears to be more than passing. After Dan shows him where the oil land deed is kept, Alihabad asks Margaret to leave with him on an extended overseas trip. While Margaret debates and finally rejects Alihabad's dubious invitation, a man watches her house. Later the man breaks into the Wilsons' home and, after drugging Emma and Dan, steals the deed. Margaret discovers her father dead the next morning and telephones Ernest Lingley, whose bumbling son Jr. is an aspiring private detective. While Jr. and his equally ineffectual partner, Lightfoot, rush to the crime scene, homicide detective Sergeant Ramsey questions Buster, who casts suspicion on Alihabad. Ramsey, who has learned that Dan had contacted an oil developer in Shreveport, Louisiana, about his land, orders his men to locate Alihabad, Jr. and Lightfoot take off for Shreveport. There they inform John Mason, the oil company agent, to expect a man to approach him with the Wilson deed. Mason notifies the local police, while Jr. and Lightfoot cover the train depot. Later that night, the killer shows up at Mason's office, presents the stolen deed, then demands cash for it at knifepoint. At the same time, Jr. and Lightfoot, having spent the day in fruitless pursuit, return to Mason's office just in time to alert the police and apprehend the killer. The mystery of Dan's death solved, Ramsey then corners Alihabad, who reveals his fakery and loses Margaret to the deserving, faithful Buster.

Sources:

AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Accessed August 11, 2016 (http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=2243)

WorldCat. Accessed August 11, 2016 (https://www.worldcat.org/title/midnight-shadow/oclc/15160578&referer=brief_results)

Topic

African American

American South

Business

Race films

Violence

Credit Line

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

Object number

2015.167.14.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

Public Domain

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Nieman Film Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Directed by

Kemp, Jack

Written by

Valentini, Vincent Andrew, American, 1895 - 1948

Medium

16mm Film (a): acetate film;

16mm Film (b): acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 69 Minutes

Length (Film Reel 1): 1350 Feet

Length (Film Reel 2): 1200 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place depicted

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

Date

1948

Caption

When a real estate tycoon is found dead, his latest real estate casualty is suspected of the crime.

Description

2015.167.15.1ab: 16mm black and white films.

A sweet elderly woman who runs a candy manufacturing business out of her home, with the help of her niece and a young divinity student, is swindled out of her business by a shady businessman.

Aunt Hattie, a deeply religious, elderly black woman who operates a candy factory from her kitchen in Harlem, eagerly awaits the arrival of Bert Hallam, her adopted son, who is returning from the Army to study for the ministry. Bert is in love with Julie Weston, Hattie's niece, who will soon be taking over control of the candy factory. At the same time, Lt. Renard of the police homicide bureau begins a search for Phillip Manley, a confidence artist who is wanted for murder and is known to have been involved in a Chicago check swindling operation with Jim Marshall, the ne'er-do-well son of candy manufacturer Albert Marshall. During a police interview, Albert informs detectives that he sent his son to Chicago to study chemistry, and that his son was not interested in the candy business. Back at Hattie's home, the old woman tells Bert and Julie that she has had a premonition of her impending death and begins rehearsing for her funeral. When Jim makes an unexpected visit to his father's office, Albert cuts off his money supply and tells him that his reckless living is the result of his mother's death. To spite his father, Jim vows to work for Albert's rival candy company and make them a better business competitor by modernizing their equipment. Albert likes the idea, though, and instead of opposing his son, decides to use his idea to swindle Hattie out of her business. Acting anonymously through an employee named Wilkinson, Albert convinces Hattie to sign her company over to him by pledging to upgrade and expand her factory. Julie and Hattie fall for Albert's trick, but when Jim accuses his father of stealing his idea, Albert puts him in charge of Hattie's factory. Jim and Julie soon fall in love, and one day, Bert catches Jim making a pass at her. A short time later, however, Jim rejects Julie's romantic overtures and tells her that Albert is actually the owner of Hattie's factory. Bert punches Jim when he catches him trying to coerce Julie into yielding to his affections. When Albert double-crosses Wilkinson, Wilkinson sends him a box of poisoned chocolates. Albert eats the chocolate and dies, after which Julie is arrested on suspicion of murder. Julie proclaims her innocence and tells police that Alice, Albert's secretary, and Jim had better motives to kill Albert. Julie is released by the police, but when she returns home, Jim tries to kill her. During the struggle, a mysterious man enters the darkened room and kills Jim. Julie is arrested again and placed in a police line-up. A break in the case finally comes when Bert recalls Jim's association with Manley. A trap is then set for Manley, and he is arrested following a full confession of his crimes, which includes the killing of Jim. After Alice confesses that she murdered Albert, she attempts suicide but is stopped and later is sent to die in the electric chair. With the racketeering operation exposed, Julie and Bert resume their romance, and Hattie decides to give up her obsession with her impending death.

Sources:

AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Accessed on August 11, 2016 (http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=25642)

WorldCat. Accessed on August 11, 2016 (https://www.worldcat.org/title/miracle-in-harlem/oclc/15160493&referer=brief_results)

Consists of: 16mm Flim (a).

Topic

African American

Business

Families

Race films

Urban life

Violence

Credit Line

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

Object number

2015.167.15.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Nieman Film Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Directed by

Leonard, Arthur H., 1904 - 1956

Written by

Valentini, Vincent Andrew, American, 1895 - 1948

Medium

16mm Film (a): acetate film;

16mm Film (b): acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 70 Minutes

Length (Film Reel 1): 1130 Feet

Length (Film Reel 2): 1250 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place filmed

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

Place depicted

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

Date

1947

Caption

A struggling songwriter finds a muse in his girlfriend, who inspires him write his next hit. After finding success, he falls under the sway of a beautiful club owner.

Description

2015.167.17.1ab: 16mm black and white films.

Barbara, the adopted daughter of Bob's landlady, Mama Keyes, encourages him to put love into his words. Bob confesses that he has never been in love, and Barbara, who has fallen for him, helps him complete the song. Barbara, whose deceased parents were "troopers," wants to go into show business, feeling it is in her blood. Mama Keyes, however, disapproves of Barbara's ambitions and looks down on the activities of another tenant, the Great Joseph, a soothsayer who attempts to read the future in his crystal ball. After Bob's song becomes a hit, he is introduced at a society party to Vivian Marston, the largest stockholder at the swank Swan Club, the city's top nightclub. Although she is engaged to Ralph Williams, a down-to-earth man who hopes to end her capricious ways, Vivian flirts with Bob and offers him a booking at the club, even though Bob does not want to shove the current band leader, Barney Ray, out. When Bob comes home late after the party, he tells a suspicious Barbara about the job at the Swan Club and offers her a share of his royalty check, saying it takes a woman to write "heart interest stuff." Vivian arranges with the manager of the club, MacMillan, for Barney to change the club's name to the "Cinderella Club" in honor of Bob's song. At Bob's debut, which is attended by Barbara, Mama Keyes and the Great Joseph, Bob is a hit, but complains about muffing the last line of "Cinderella." Barbara suggests he hold a "Cinderella slipper" during the song with the lyrics written inside, but is unable to give him hers, as she has dancing plates on them. Later, Barney complains to Lester, the press agent, that Vivian, who now flirts with Bob, had him removed because he refused to play up to her. Soon news of Vivian and Bob's romance appears in the gossip columns. Bob rarely comes home to the boardinghouse, and Barbara, stoically accepting her apparent defeat, gets a job singing at the Hang Out Club. Ralph is angered by Vivian's claim that the gossip about her and Bob is false and insists that they are indeed lovers. After Vivian slaps him, he threatens to inform the newspapers that he is finished with her, but she begs him not to break their engagement. Later, when Bob, who never knew about the engagement, arrives at the club, Vivian tells him that he is just a friend to her. Knowing that Vivian will now offer no resistance, Mac, who is angered at the fact that Bob never shows up for rehearsals, fires him. Meanwhile, at the Hang Out Club, Barney, who is impressed with Barbara's singing, asks her to join his band, but when he insults Bob, she slaps him. Sometime later, Bob visits the Hang Out Club and apologizes to Barney, saying that the job of replacing him was too big. Lester finds them together and says that Mac has been looking for both of them because business has fallen off since Bob left the club. Lester then comes up with the idea to have Bob be the vocalist for Barney's band. Lester presents the idea to Mac, then suggests they have a contest in which all the women will bring a slipper, and Bob will pick one. The owner will receive a cash prize plus a week's engagement at the club if she is a singer. When Bob returns to the club, Vivian explains that she had to agree to let him go because her reputation was at stake. She tries to rekindle their romance, but Bob walks away from her. On the night of the contest, Bob, remembering Barbara's early words, picks a slipper with a tap dancing plate attached. She kisses him and they both sing "Cinderella." After she announces that she is not going to let him get away this time, Lester arranges for them to marry in the club. As Bob and Barbara marry, Vivian sits with Ralph.

Source: AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Accessed on August 11, 2016 (http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=25343)

Topic

African American

Business

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

2015.167.17.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Nieman Film Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Directed by

Fraser, Harry L., American, 1889 - 1974

Written by

Hoerl, Arthur, American, 1891 - 1968

Subject of

Louis, Joe, American, 1914 - 1981

Harris, Edna Mae, American, 1910 - 1997

Moreland, Mantan, American, 1902 - 1973

Medium

16mm Film (a): acetate film;

16mm Film (b): acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 65 Minutes

Length (Film Reel 1): 1300 Feet

Length (Film Reel 2): 1100 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place filmed

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

Place depicted

Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, United States, North and Central America

Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, United States, North and Central America

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

Date

1938

Caption

"Spirit of You" is a dramatic film based on the life of American heavyweight boxer Joe Louis. The lead character, Joe Thomas, is played by Joe Louis himself.

Description

2015.167.19.1ab: 16mm black and white films.

Jefferson Thomas, a black foundry worker, is seriously injured when a heavy castor falls on his legs. No longer able to support his family, Jefferson's young son, Joe, decides to leave school and take a job. Many years later, Joe, now grown, gives his family all his savings and leaves Birmingham to make something of himself. Joe hitchhikes to Detroit, where he gets a job as a dishwasher and meets Creighton "Crickie" Fitzgibbons. When Crickie and Joe lose their jobs, they find work at a storage and shipping company, but are soon fired from the job when a foreman hits Crickie and Joe knocks him out with one punch. Impressed with his fighting abilities, Crickie encourages Joe to enter the Golden Gloves boxing tournament, and he is soon billed in the newspapers as the 'Dark Destroyer'. After winning the finals, manager Frankie Walburn offers to handle him as a professional. Joe accepts after consulting with his mother Nora, who now lives in the city, and who tells him to be honest and fair. As Joe wins bouts, Flora Bailey, a nightclub singer at the Bluebird Cafe´, who is in cahoots with gambler Duke Emblin, takes an interest in him. Their involvement worries Frankie, whose concern that he is ignoring his training antagonizes Joe. When Mary and Joe's sister Eleanor, visit Flora, they implore her to help get Joe back on track, but because Duke is now betting against Joe, Flora encourages his nightlife and drinking. Joe is knocked out in a match, and as he prepares for the heavyweight championship bout against Jack Stanley, he confesses to Flora that he loves Mary. When Flora sees that he does not have his heart in the fight, she brings Mary, now a schoolteacher, to the ring, and her presence spurs Joe to defeat Stanley in a knockout. Afterwards, he and Mary are guests of honor at a banquet at which Flora sings"

Source: AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Accessed on August 12, 2016 (http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=2226)

Consists of: 16mm Flim (a).

Topic

African American

Boxing

Families

Race films

Credit Line

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

Object number

2015.167.19.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Nieman Film Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Directed by

Ray, Bernard B, Russian, 1895 - 1964

Created by

Ray, Bernard B, Russian, 1895 - 1964

Subject of

Lewis, Sybil, American, 1940 - 1948

Written by

Muse, Clarence Edouard, American, 1889 - 1979

Medium

16mm Film (a): acetate film;

16mm Film (b): acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 60 Minutes

Length (Film Reel 1): 1300 Feet

Length (Film Reel 2): 900 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place depicted

United States, North and Central America

Place filmed

United States, North and Central America

Date

1940

Caption

A popular and renowned violinist's career is ended when he suffers a hand injury. His hopes of passing his classical training and success to his son are challenged when he learns his son prefers free-spirited swing music to refined classical.

Description

2015.167.3.1ab: 16mm black and white film.

An all-Black melodrama concerning a classical violinist who injures his fingers. His son tries to earn the needed cash to restore his father's paralyzed hand by following in his father's footsteps as a violinist but to his father's displeasure, he prefers swing to classical music.

Begins as violinist Arthur Williams and his business manager, Earl Wells, are injured in an automobile accident after a concert. As a result of the accident, Arthur's fingers become paralyzed and he is unable to play the violin, which leads him to become a music instructor. Arthur's favorite student, Dickie Morley, aspires to classical music, while John, Arthur's twelve-year-old son, prefers "wild" swing music. Arthur's daughter Grace, who works as a secretary for James Stilton hair products, is in love with Gus Stevens, a fellow employee at the company. When Grace arranges an appointment for her father with Dr. Charles Matson, a famous nerve specialist visiting the city, Matson agrees to forgo his usual $1,000 fee and allow Johnny to raise the money at a later date. Meanwhile, Stilton's son Sam, who is jealous of Gus's romance with Grace, refuses to give her an advance and then tries to frame Gus and get him fired for mishandling a cash deposit. After the two men fight, both Gus and Grace quit. Meanwhile, Johnny becomes a hit playing at the Miller Café, a nightclub. Arthur, however, is furious when he finds out and, as punishment, forces his son to play until he drops from exhaustion. Arthur soon learns from Grace that Johnny was only trying to raise money for the operation and to supplement the family income during her unemployment. Johnny and Grace enter a radio talent contest, and their act is scheduled to follow banjo player Stringbeans Johnson and the Stevens Sisters, who dance and sing "Kentucky Babe." Johnny takes the stage, but his act is a disaster when first one violin string, then another, snaps. Johnny realizes that with only two strings remaining on the violin, he can only play a swing number and the entire orchestra joins in. Johnny wins the contest, and in his enthusiasm, Arthur is able to applaud his son, regaining the use of his fingers. Dickie then confesses to sabotaging the violin and apologizes, and Arthur resumes his career as a premier violinist.

Sources:

AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Accessed on August 12, 2016 (http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=2253)

WorldCat. Accessed on August 12, 2016 (http://www.worldcat.org/title/broken-strings/oclc/37857119&referer=brief_results)

Topic

African American

Domestic life

Drama (Theatre)

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

2015.167.3.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Nieman Film Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Directed by

Williams, Spencer, American, 1893-1969

Subject of

Everett, Francine, American, 1915 - 1999

Medium

16mm Film (a): acetate film;

16mm Film (b): acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 60 Minutes

Length (Film Reel 1): 1150 Feet

Length (Film Reel 2): 1100 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

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

Date

1946

Caption

Gertie, a Harlem nightclub dancer, leaves her boyfriend for a fresh start on the island of Trinidad. Comfortabkle in her own skin, she enjoys using her sex appeal to dazzle and flirt with the local men. A preachy local, Mr. Christian, meddles by making it a point to convert her into the type of woman he believes she should be.

Description

2015.167.6.1ab: 16mm black and white films.

In "Dirty Gertie from Harlem U.S.A.", a two-timing showgirl, on the run, that takes work at an island hotel, winning the heart of the hotel owner, until a vengeful ex-boyfriend catches up with her. Moral dilemmas in the tradition of Rain, with the director in the role of a lady fortune-teller.

When famous Harlem stripper Gertie LaRue arrives on the island of Rinidad, she is given celebrity treatment and taken to the Paradise Hotel, where she and her assistant, Stella Van Johnson, are placed in the posh bridal suite. The hotel's proprietor, Diamond Joe, is smitten with Gertie, but Gertie ignores Stella's suggestion that she take an interest in him. Meanwhile, in their private dormitory room, members of Gertie's troupe discuss Gertie's past relationship with a generous Harlem man named Al, whom Gertie treated poorly and deserted. Also staying at the hotel is the pious Mr. Jonathan Christian and his assistant Ezra Crumm, two missionaries who have come to the island to teach about sin. Having witnessed Gertie's flirtatious behavior on the boat, Mr. Christian tells Ezra that she is a "painted trollop." Gertie remains true to her reputation as a gregarious flirt when she joins a sailor named Tight Pants and a soldier named Big Boy for a drink at the Diamond Palace lounge. There, Larry, the bar's piano player, recognizes Gertie and plays a tune intended to stir memories of her troubled past in Harlem and her relationship with his friend Al. When Gertie returns to the hotel drunk and in the company of the two military men, Mr. Christian watches in horror as she kisses both of them. He also sees Gertie throw a liquor bottle at a hallucination of Al that has suddenly haunted her. Gertie faints when Mr. Christian emerges from the shadows, and when she regains consciousness, she misinterprets his actions and accuses him of trying to take advantage of her. Later that day, Gertie, having been spooked by bad omens since her arrival on the island, goes to a fortune teller, an old woman named Old Hager, who looks into her crystal ball and sees Gertie's misdeeds and has a vision of a man coming after her. However, neither the medium's portents nor Mr. Christian's best efforts to have the Diamond Palace shut down prevent Gertie from taking the stage and performing her striptease. During her act, Mr. Christian, who has been watching the show with interest, takes to the stage and orders an end to the show. A brawl ensues when he grabs Gertie, but Diamond Joe whisks her out of the club and takes her back to the hotel. Alone in her room, Gertie is unhappy with the image she has caught of herself in the mirror, and while she is thinking, Al bursts into the room from the balcony and shoots her. When Stella and the police rush into the room, Al tells them that he killed her because he loved her.

Sources:

AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Accessed April 4, 2016 (http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=27623)

WorldCat. Accessed April 4, 2016 (https://www.worldcat.org/title/dirty-gertie-from-harlem-usa/oclc/422866093&referer=brief_results)

Topic

African American

Dance

Nightlife

Race films

Violence

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

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Nieman Film Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Directed by

Dreifuss, Arthur, American, 1908 - 1993

Subject of

Hawley, Monte, American, 1901 - 1950

Composed by

Tinturin, Peter, American, 1910 - 2007

Medium

16mm Film (a): acetate film;

16mm Film (b): acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 60 Minutes

Length (Film Reel 1): 1050 Feet

Length (Film Reel 2): 1100 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

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

Date

1939

Caption

Two men vie for the affection of a local Harlem dancer named Nita. When one man frames the other for a crime he didn't commit, Nita sets out to learn the truth.

Description

2015.167.7.1ab: 16mm black and white films.

In "Double Deal," two men get mixed up in gangster trouble while vying for the affection of a pretty singer. One of the beaus is a crook who robs a jewelry store and frames the other boyfriend. The girl sorts the truth out for herself.

Murray Howard owns a nightclub where entertainer Nita Walker dances and sings. Although admired by Dude Markey, she is already in love with Jim McCoy. Snively, the club manager, in turn loves Sally, a cigarette girl and aspiring performer. She, however, likes Slim, who is penniless. Dude and Howard offer Jim's little brother Tommy a job, on condition he ask no questions. Tommy had earlier rejected his brother's offer of a Pullman job, despite it being a respectable position. Tommy discovers to his dismay that Dude is a criminal when he accompanies him on a safecracking job that results in the murder of a night watchman. Dude brings the stolen jewels back to Howard, who puts them in his safe as Dude secretly notes the combination. In the nightclub, after Shelton Brooks sings "Hole in the Wall," Dude asks Snively to fix him up with Nita, who then directs her singing of "Gettin' in Right with You" toward Dude. Jim becomes jealous, and when he goes to Nita's dressing room and Dude enters, a fight ensues between the two men. The fracas is broken up by Lanny, a policeman. Howard warns Dude to lay off Jim. When Jim escorts Sally and Nita to the their rooms, he finds Tommy waiting for him, and an inspector arrives to tell them of the recent robbery and murder. Later, Jim joins Dude and some others in a poker game. Dude removes the jewels, then takes advantage of Jim's presence by accusing him of robbing the safe, having dropped a slip of paper with the combination into his pocket. Jim escapes and, noticing the number 271 on the back of the piece of paper, asks Slim to see if it is someone's "lucky" number. Meanwhile, Nita has found Dude's gun in her dressing room with three cartridges missing. Howard is unhappy that Dude has not caught Jim, and Dude suggests they bring in Tommy instead. Dude tries to convince Nita to elope with him. Slim has found out that Dude was playing the number 271, and Nita tells Howard. However, Dude overhears and shoots Howard through the window, and Tommy is blamed. That night, Jim catches Dude picking up the diamonds where he had hid them, and after a pursuit to Nita's, they fight. Lanny arrives and Dude is shot. With the reward money, Jim becomes the new owner of the nightclub, which clears the way for his marriage to Nita. Slim becomes the new club manager, while Sally becomes the new entertainer.

Sources:

AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Accessed on August 10, 2016 (http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=2256)

WorldCat. Accessed August 10, 2016. (https://www.worldcat.org/title/double-deal/oclc/148222472&referer=brief_results)

Topic

African American

Entertainers

Nightlife

Race films

Violence

Credit Line

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

Object number

2015.167.7.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Nieman Film Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture