Directed by

Oscar Micheaux, American, 1884 - 1951

Written by

Oscar Micheaux, American, 1884 - 1951

Subject of

Harris, Edna Mae, American, 1910 - 1997

Produced by

Oscar Micheaux, American, 1884 - 1951

Medium

16mm Film (a): acetate film;

16mm Film (b): acetate film;

16mm Reel (c): metal;

16mm Reel (d): metal;

35mm Film Canister (e): plastic

Dimensions

Duration: 56 Minutes

Length (Film Reel 1): 1100 Feet

Length (Film Reel 2): 1000 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place filmed

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

Place depicted

United States, North and Central America

Date

1939

Caption

A nightclub singer is wrongfully convicted of murder. A detective with romantic motivation, sets out to prove her innocence.

Description

2015.167.13.1ab: 16mm black and white films.

2015.167.13.1cd: Original metal, 16mm film reels.

2015.167.13.1e: 35mm Film Canister.

Nightclub singer, Elsie Bellwood, refuses to go out with two Italian customers who want to sponsor a party with some of the showgirls, despite the urgings of her white boss, Farina. Farina decides to call on her black manager, Benjamin Hadnott, to try to convince her, but Ben refuses and quits his job. That evening, Elsie has dinner with Ben, who tells her that he has been studying to become a detective. Believing he is trying to conceal his unemployment, Elsie decides to take care of Ben until he gets a new job. One evening, Elsie is summoned to her Aunt Josie's, only to find that Josie has been killed. When the police arrive, the white police lieutenant decides to arrest Elsie, even though black detective Wanzer believes she is innocent. Desperate, Elsie gives Ben's address to Wanzer, and he and Ben agree to do what they can to help her. Elizabeth Green, Elsie's cousin, suggests a possible motive for the murder when she tells the police that Elsie had taken out a large insurance policy on her aunt. Meanwhile, Elsie's cousins, "John" and "Clyde," who have been hired by Farina to replace Ben, claim they saw Elsie leave the club for a half hour around the time of the murder. Although she denies their statement, Elsie is convicted of the murder. When Ben and Wanzer learn that "Ned" Green, Elizabeth's husband, was in love with Josie, they question Reverend Bryson, a longtime friend of the family, who tells them the story of Ned: Elizabeth forced Ned to marry her by tricking him into believing that she was pregnant. When Ned found out that she had lied, he left her without waiting for an annulment. Elizabeth and her unscrupulous brothers then followed Ned to the north, where he went to be near his true love, Josie. John and Clyde eventually found Ned and forced him to return to Elizabeth. Now, years later, Ned has disappeared again, and to help find him, Ben suggests that he and Wanzer abduct John and tell him they are taking him for a ride to haunted Tolston Manor. When they accuse John of killing Josie, he admits that he lied to shift the blame to Elsie. Ned, it is learned, decided he would kill Josie if she did not run away with him. When the police realize that the frame-up was planned in order to get the insurance money from Elsie, Elsie is released from prison. Once reunited with Ben, Elsie gives him the money, which he puts into a trust fund for their 'children'.

Source: AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Accessed August 11, 2016 (http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=2284)

Topic

African American

Musicians

Nightlife

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

2015.167.13.1ab

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

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

Kahn, Richard C., American, 1897 - 1960

Written by

Kahn, Richard C., American, 1897 - 1960

Subject of

Jeffries, Herb, American, 1913 - 2014

Brooks, Clarence, American, 1896 - 1969

Moreland, Mantan, American, 1902 - 1973

Williams, Spencer, American, 1893-1969

Medium

16mm Film (a): acetate film;

16mm Film (b): acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 66 Minutes

Length (Film Reel 1): 600 Feet

Length (Film Reel 2): 1600 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

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

Date

1938

Caption

When a cowboy is wrongfully accused of murder, he assumes the identity of a Harlem gangster; to whom he bears a striking resemblance.

Description

2015.167.21.1ab: 16mm black and white films.

Framed for his boss' murder by the victim's unfaithful wife, Bob Blake (A.K.A. 'The Singing Cowboy') escapes to New York. In Harlem he meets his look-alike, a gangster named Deacon. When Deacon is killed by a rival gang, Bob, disguised as the dead gangster, returns to his home town to clear his name.

Source:

WorldCat. Accessed on August 12, 2016 (https://www.worldcat.org/title/two-gun-man-from-harlem/oclc/32249820&referer=brief_results)

Topic

African American

American West

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

2015.167.21.1ab

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

Popkin, Leo C., Canadian, 1914 - 2011

Subject of

Cooper, Ralph, American, 1908 - 1992

Produced by

Popkin, Harry M., American, 1906 - 1991

Medium

16mm Film (a): acetate film;

16mm Film (b): acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 60 Minutes

Length (Film Reel 1): 1100 Feet

Length (Film Reel 2): 1250 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

1940

Caption

Two Harlem gangs fight for control of the jukebox racket.

Description

2015.167.8.1ab: 16mm black and white films.

A fight in a diner over the claims of conflicting gangster factions reveals Bob "Killer" Meade as a rising lawbreaker in Harlem. A member of Bull Brown's gang, Bob soon takes over and orders Bull to be "given some air." Bob is indicted for his crimes, but witnesses are afraid to talk and he is found not guilty. At the courthouse, he meets Mazie "Sugar" Walford, who believes him innocent. Although Mazie is engaged to George Stevens, a member of a prominent local family, Bob falls in love and begins to court her, promising to lay Harlem at her feet. Bob decides to cut in on the juke box action of rival Harlem boss, Lew Baron, who sends several killers for him. However, Bob outsmarts them and demands half of Lew's take. In the ensuing gangland war, Bob and his men defeat Lew, taking over his machines. Lieutenant Holmes, a policeman who knew Bob as a boy, warns him about where his methods will lead. Lew calls to make a deal with Bob and learns that Bob and his men are celebrating the opening of Mazie's new show at a nightclub. During an African number, Lew's gang enters the club, and Bob and his company leave, prompting an automobile chase. Later, Bill, Lew's henchmen, goes to Mazie and forces her to sing her new song, "Remember the Moon," to Bob over the telephone. After the connection is broken, Bob finds the body of his old friend, Slicum, at his door with a note from Lew. With his other henchmen, Phil and Danny, Bob goes after Lew, catching and shooting him and his men as they are about to leave town. Mazie, who has warned Bob, tells Holmes of his actions, and the police surround Lew's hideout. Bob escapes to Mazie's but realizes it is too late to hide when Holmes comes to the door. Nonetheless, Bob makes a mad dash over the rooftops as the police pursue and finally shoot him, his corpse falling at the feet of Mazie and Holmes.

Sources:

AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Accessed on August 10, 2016 (http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=2261)

WorldCat. Accessed August 10, 2016 (https://www.worldcat.org/title/gang-war/oclc/422910267&referer=brief_results)

Topic

African American

Actors

Business

Nightlife

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

2015.167.8.1ab

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

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

Bourne, St. Clair, American, 1943 - 2007

Produced by

Chamba Productions, founded 1971

Composed by

Hancock, Herbie, American, born 1940

Subject of

Nairobi College, founded 1969

Created by

California State University, Los Angeles, American, founded 1947

Subject of

The City College of the City University of New York, American, founded 1847

St. Petersburg College, American, founded 1927

Clark Atlanta University, American, founded 1988

Morehouse College, American, founded 1867

Owned by

Bowser, Pearl, American, born 1931

Medium

16mm Film (a): acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 30 Minutes

Length (Film): 1190 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place filmed

East Palo Alto, San Mateo County, California, United States, North and Central America

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

Saint Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida, United States, North and Central America

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

Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date

1971

Caption

16mm color film directed by St. Clair Bourne and produced by his production company, Chamba Productions, for the College Entrance Examination Board. The film provides various perspectives on the college experience and presents resources to encourage minority youth to attend college.

Description

16mm color film directed by St. Clair Bourne and produced his production company, Chamba Productions, for the College Entrance Examination Board. The film provides various perspectives on the college experience and presents resources to encourage minority youth to attend college.

Consists of: 16mm Film (a).

2012.79.1.54.1a: 16mm film. Film begins with an introduction animated segment of a young black man walking down a city sidewalk and then entering a doorway with the word College written over it. A musical soundtrack accompanies the animation. He walks down the hallway past doors and a trophy case while the voiceover narration begins. The narration focuses on thinking about how to get started on applying for college. The animation sequence depicts the prospective student collecting paperwork and talking to the appropriate people to take to the door with a college sign next to it. The animated introduction ends and the film transitions to live action and the title of the film. A man runs out of a storefront across a parking lot to his car. The next scene shows a professor leading a class discussion in a classroom. Then there is an exterior shot of Nairobi College and the man from earlier in the film running in the front door. The college is located in a small house. The narrator introduces the college and the man joins the classroom conversation. The narrator introduces Nate Perry, the man that has been in the film, and he talks about enrolling in Nairobi College. The narrator explains that the purpose of the college is to teach leaders for non-white communities and break down the separation of the college and the community by holding classes in different locations. The next scene shows the Nairobi College Cultural Center and students playing music and dancing. The next subject of the film is California State College (California State University) in Los Angeles. The narrator discusses the importance of the college for the Mexican American community. There is a shot of the front door of College Recruitment for Educational Opportunity (CREO). The door also has a sign for Community Relations for Educational Opportunity (also CREO). People are shown walking into the office and talking to someone in the office and he answers questions about gaining admission to college. A man is shown talking outside and a group discussion ensues about confronting the power structure. An inside classroom discussion also shows students talking about similar problems as those in the outside discussion. The next scene shows New York City and the narrator begins talking about City College of New York in Harlem and the importance of providing both financial assistance as well as special counseling and tutoring. However, the narrator points out that black and Puerto Rican students demanded an open admissions policy. A group of students is shown discussing education issues and going back to the community to work and raise awareness. The narrator introduces Megan McLaughlin, and she describes through a voiceover narration the Search for Elevation, Education, and Knowledge (SEEK) Program. She is shown walking on sidewalks during the voiceover narration. The next scene features St. Petersburg College, and the narrator discusses attending a junior college before attending a four-year institution. Students share their experiences and how students can benefit from attending a junior college. The smaller classes are beneficial and the opportunity to balance home life with attending college are among those benefits. The scene is filmed inside of a moving car while Don Gekkins, director of the Service Center Program, talks about how the program works. The next scene shows him entering a classroom where children are reciting words displayed on cards held by a tutor from the junior college. Don Gekkins is then shown leaving his house with his two sons and playing with them. Gekkins, in a voiceover narration, describes growing up in a depressed area of St. Petersburg. The next scene shows a college marching band leading a parade down a street. The narrator discusses this parade in the context of a four-year university and the distractions of a four-year university, particularly sports events. The university being discussed appears to be Howard University in Washington, D.C. After footage of cheerleaders and a football game, a football player is interviewed about attending college on a scholarship. After the interview, there is footage of a football practice. The next scene includes an interview with Tom Nelson, a college graduate and ex-professional football player. The next scene shows two men picking up trash on the sidewalk, then some other men performing municipal trash service. There is footage of a college campus, probably Clark University in Atlanta, while the narrator discusses the main reasons for attending college. The next scene shows a woman walking on a sidewalk and into a building while the narrator begins a discussion about financial aid. The woman enters an office and talks to a financial aid officer while the narrator discusses the difference between types of financial aid. The next scene shows a student from Nigeria at Morehouse College in Atlanta, and he discusses studying science to bring back knowledge to Nigeria. The film ends with the narrator presenting a summary of what has been discussed, and there is a montage of images from the entire film.

Topic

African American

Dance

Education

Football

Urban life

Credit Line

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

Object number

2012.79.1.54.1a

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

Bourne, St. Clair, American, 1943 - 2007

Produced by

Chamba Productions, founded 1971

Composed by

Hancock, Herbie, American, born 1940

Subject of

Nairobi College, founded 1969

California State University, Los Angeles, American, founded 1947

The City College of the City University of New York, American, founded 1847

St. Petersburg College, American, founded 1927

Clark Atlanta University, American, founded 1988

Morehouse College, American, founded 1867

Owned by

Bowser, Pearl, American, born 1931

Medium

16mm Film (a): acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 30 Minutes

Length (Film): 1190 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place filmed

East Palo Alto, San Mateo County, California, United States, North and Central America

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

Saint Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida, United States, North and Central America

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

Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date

1971

Caption

16mm color film directed by St. Clair Bourne and produced by his production company, Chamba Productions, for the College Entrance Examination Board. The film provides various perspectives on the college experience and presents resources to encourage minority youth to attend college.

Description

16mm color film directed by St. Clair Bourne and produced his production company, Chamba Productions, for the College Entrance Examination Board. The film provides various perspectives on the college experience and presents resources to encourage minority youth to attend college.

Consists of: 16mm Film (a).

2012.79.1.54.2a: 16mm film. Film begins with an introduction animated segment of a young black man walking down a city sidewalk and then entering a doorway with the word College written over it. A musical soundtrack accompanies the animation. He walks down the hallway past doors and a trophy case while the voiceover narration begins. The narration focuses on thinking about how to get started on applying for college. The animation sequence depicts the prospective student collecting paperwork and talking to the appropriate people to take to the door with a college sign next to it. The animated introduction ends and the film transitions to live action and the title of the film. A man runs out of a storefront across a parking lot to his car. The next scene shows a professor leading a class discussion in a classroom. Then there is an exterior shot of Nairobi College and the man from earlier in the film running in the front door. The college is located in a small house. The narrator introduces the college and the man joins the classroom conversation. The narrator introduces Nate Perry, the man that has been in the film, and he talks about enrolling in Nairobi College. The narrator explains that the purpose of the college is to teach leaders for non-white communities and break down the separation of the college and the community by holding classes in different locations. The next scene shows the Nairobi College Cultural Center and students playing music and dancing. The next subject of the film is California State College (California State University) in Los Angeles. The narrator discusses the importance of the college for the Mexican American community. There is a shot of the front door of College Recruitment for Educational Opportunity (CREO). The door also has a sign for Community Relations for Educational Opportunity (also CREO). People are shown walking into the office and talking to someone in the office and he answers questions about gaining admission to college. A man is shown talking outside and a group discussion ensues about confronting the power structure. An inside classroom discussion also shows students talking about similar problems as those in the outside discussion. The next scene shows New York City and the narrator begins talking about City College of New York in Harlem and the importance of providing both financial assistance as well as special counseling and tutoring. However, the narrator points out that black and Puerto Rican students demanded an open admissions policy. A group of students is shown discussing education issues and going back to the community to work and raise awareness. The narrator introduces Megan McLaughlin, and she describes through a voiceover narration the Search for Elevation, Education, and Knowledge (SEEK) Program. She is shown walking on sidewalks during the voiceover narration. The next scene features St. Petersburg College, and the narrator discusses attending a junior college before attending a four-year institution. Students share their experiences and how students can benefit from attending a junior college. The smaller classes are beneficial and the opportunity to balance home life with attending college are among those benefits. The scene is filmed inside of a moving car while Don Gekkins, director of the Service Center Program, talks about how the program works. The next scene shows him entering a classroom where children are reciting words displayed on cards held by a tutor from the junior college. Don Gekkins is then shown leaving his house with his two sons and playing with them. Gekkins, in a voiceover narration, describes growing up in a depressed area of St. Petersburg. The next scene shows a college marching band leading a parade down a street. The narrator discusses this parade in the context of a four-year university and the distractions of a four-year university, particularly sports events. The university being discussed appears to be Howard University in Washington, D.C. After footage of cheerleaders and a football game, a football player is interviewed about attending college on a scholarship. After the interview, there is footage of a football practice. The next scene includes an interview with Tom Nelson, a college graduate and ex-professional football player. The next scene shows two men picking up trash on the sidewalk, then some other men performing municipal trash service. There is footage of a college campus, probably Clark University in Atlanta, while the narrator discusses the main reasons for attending college. The next scene shows a woman walking on a sidewalk and into a building while the narrator begins a discussion about financial aid. The woman enters an office and talks to a financial aid officer while the narrator discusses the difference between types of financial aid. The next scene shows a student from Nigeria at Morehouse College in Atlanta, and he discusses studying science to bring back knowledge to Nigeria. The film ends with the narrator presenting a summary of what has been discussed, and there is a montage of images from the entire film.

Topic

African American

Dance

Education

Football

Urban life

Credit Line

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

Object number

2012.79.1.54.2a

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

Lathan, Stan, American, born 1945

Produced by

Chamba Productions, founded 1971

Created by

Collins, Kathleen, American, 1942 - 1988

Produced by

Garrett, Kent, American, born 1941

Subject of

Brooklyn Museum, American, founded 1895

Owned by

Bowser, Pearl, American, born 1931

Medium

16mm Film (a): acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 19 Minutes

Length (Film): 750 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place filmed

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

Date

1971

Caption

16mm color film directed by Stan Lathan and produced by Chamba Productions for the Brooklyn Museum about a program to bring children from the local community into the museum to create performance art. Includes footage of children interacting with objects in the museum and creating performances based upon their reaction.

Description

16mm color film directed by Stan Lathan and produced by Chamba Productions about a program to bring children from the local community into the Brooklyn Museum to create performance art.

Consists of: 16mm Print (a).

2012.79.1.63.1a: 16mm Print. The film begins with the camera panning around a room with many cases in the Brooklyn Museum. Children are heard in the voiceover narration describing the statues. The footage also includes close-ups of some of the statues. The next scene shows children and young adults following spoken directions to pretend they are holding various objects in their hands. The narrator describes how the children spent time in the rotunda of the museum for six weeks, and there is footage of the children participating in dance exercises in the rotunda. The narrator describes the idea for the project to bring children together with an object and create a performance around that. The next scene shows an object and children touching the face of another object. Some other children are shown in front of a different museum object and holding the same pose as that object. Children in the voiceover narration describe thinking about the objects and questioning what the people depicted in the objects are doing. As the narrator describes, the children participated in improvisation based on the space and the objects around them. The footage includes a group of students discussing how to put on an improvisation based on an object. The next scene shows the students performing the improvisation in the rotunda that they created. One of the boys reflects on how he did the improvisation. In the next scene, the students perform a dance while a man plays a drum. The next scene shows a man playing the piano and singing and the children sing along with him. The music accompanies a montage of the students doing various activities shown in the film. The final scene shows the students leaving the museum, a bus traveling a city street, one of the students exiting the bus and greeting some friends as the credits appear. The film ends with children playing in a circle on a playground.

Topic

African American

Art

Children

Communities

Dance

Education

Instrumentalists (Musicians)

Museums

Singers (Musicians)

Theatre

Urban life

Credit Line

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

Object number

2012.79.1.63.1a

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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

Lathan, Stan, American, born 1945

Produced by

Chamba Productions, founded 1971

Edited by

Collins, Kathleen, American, 1942 - 1988

Produced by

Garrett, Kent, American, born 1941

Subject of

Brooklyn Museum, American, founded 1895

Owned by

Bowser, Pearl, American, born 1931

Medium

16mm Film (a): acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 19 Minutes

Length (Film): 750 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place filmed

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

Date

1971

Caption

16mm color film directed by Stan Lathan and produced by Chamba Productions for the Brooklyn Museum about a program to bring children from the local community into the museum to create performance art. Includes footage of children interacting with objects in the museum and creating performances based upon their reaction.

Description

16mm color film directed by Stan Lathan and produced by Chamba Productions about a program to bring children from the local community into the Brooklyn Museum to create performance art.

Consists of: 16mm Print (a).

2012.79.1.63.2a: 16mm Print. The film begins with the camera panning around a room with many cases in the Brooklyn Museum. Children are heard in the voiceover narration describing the statues. The footage also includes close-ups of some of the statues. The next scene shows children and young adults following spoken directions to pretend they are holding various objects in their hands. The narrator describes how the children spent time in the rotunda of the museum for six weeks, and there is footage of the children participating in dance exercises in the rotunda. The narrator describes the idea for the project to bring children together with an object and create a performance around that. The next scene shows an object and children touching the face of another object. Some other children are shown in front of a different museum object and holding the same pose as that object. Children in the voiceover narration describe thinking about the objects and questioning what the people depicted in the objects are doing. As the narrator describes, the children participated in improvisation based on the space and the objects around them. The footage includes a group of students discussing how to put on an improvisation based on an object. The next scene shows the students performing the improvisation in the rotunda that they created. One of the boys reflects on how he did the improvisation. In the next scene, the students perform a dance while a man plays a drum. The next scene shows a man playing the piano and singing and the children sing along with him. The music accompanies a montage of the students doing various activities shown in the film. The final scene shows the students leaving the museum, a bus traveling a city street, one of the students exiting the bus and greeting some friends as the credits appear. The film ends with children playing in a circle on a playground.

Topic

African American

Art

Children

Communities

Dance

Education

Instrumentalists (Musicians)

Museums

Singers (Musicians)

Theatre

Urban life

Credit Line

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

Object number

2012.79.1.63.2a

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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

Owned by

Bowser, Pearl, American, born 1931

Produced by

Chamba Productions, founded 1971

Edited by

Collins, Kathleen, American, 1942 - 1988

Directed by

Lathan, Stan, American, born 1945

Produced by

Garrett, Kent, American, born 1941

Subject of

Brooklyn Museum, American, founded 1895

Medium

16mm Film (a): acetate film

Dimensions

Duration: 19 Minutes

Length (Film): 720 Feet

Type

motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place filmed

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

Date

1971

Caption

16mm color film directed by Stan Lathan and produced by Chamba Productions for the Brooklyn Museum about a program to bring children from the local community into the museum to create performance art. Includes footage of children interacting with objects in the museum and creating performances based upon their reaction.

Description

16mm color film directed by Stan Lathan and produced by Chamba Productions about a program to bring children from the local community into the Brooklyn Museum to create performance art.

Consists of: 16mm Print (a).

2012.79.1.63.3a: 16mm Print. The film begins with the camera panning around a room with many cases in the Brooklyn Museum. Children are heard in the voiceover narration describing the statues. The footage also includes close-ups of some of the statues. The next scene shows children and young adults following spoken directions to pretend they are holding various objects in their hands. The narrator describes how the children spent time in the rotunda of the museum for six weeks, and there is footage of the children participating in dance exercises in the rotunda. The narrator describes the idea for the project to bring children together with an object and create a performance around that. The next scene shows an object and children touching the face of another object. Some other children are shown in front of a different museum object and holding the same pose as that object. Children in the voiceover narration describe thinking about the objects and questioning what the people depicted in the objects are doing. As the narrator describes, the children participated in improvisation based on the space and the objects around them. The footage includes a group of students discussing how to put on an improvisation based on an object. The next scene shows the students performing the improvisation in the rotunda that they created. One of the boys reflects on how he did the improvisation. In the next scene, the students perform a dance while a man plays a drum. The next scene shows a man playing the piano and singing and the children sing along with him. The music accompanies a montage of the students doing various activities shown in the film. The final scene shows the students leaving the museum, a bus traveling a city street, one of the students exiting the bus and greeting some friends as the credits appear. The film ends with children playing in a circle on a playground.

Topic

African American

Art

Children

Communities

Dance

Education

Instrumentalists (Musicians)

Museums

Singers (Musicians)

Theatre

Urban life

Credit Line

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

Object number

2012.79.1.63.3a

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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

Created by

Unidentified

Used by

Muse, Isaiah, American, 1919 - 2012

Medium

padding, cloth, metal, plastic and wood

Dimensions

33 x 60 x 36 in. (83.8 x 152.4 x 91.4 cm)

Type

cocktail lounges

love seats

Place used

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

Date

1970s

Description

A loveseat-style couch with a vinyl cover and a hideaway bed. The sofa is upholstered with a maroon and red brocade-patterned fabric. The couch has two (2) removable seat cushions. Underneath the seat cushions is a retractable metal bed. The couch has four (4) detachable wood feet, one on each corner. The couch, bed frame, and removable seat cushions each are covered with plastic protective slipcovers.

Topic

African American

Domestic life

Nightlife

Segregation

United States--Social life and customs

Urban life

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Cassandra Fay Smith

Object number

2011.101.1

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture