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
Southern, Tom, American, 1906 - 1980
Brooks, Jess Lee, American, 1894 - 1944
Whitten, Marguerite, American, 1913 - 1990
Brooks, Clarence, American, 1896 - 1969
Turner, Mae, American, 1908 - 1999
Muse, Clarence, American, 1889 - 1979
Desmond, Cleo, American, 1880 - 1958
Smith, Jewel
The Plantation Chior
The Creole Chorus
The Big Apple Dancers
Date
1938
Medium
acetate film
Dimensions
Duration: 65 Minutes
Length (Film Reel 1): 1300 Feet
Length (Film Reel 2): 1100 Feet
Description
A 16mm release print of the feature film Spirit of Youth. It consists of two reels of positive, black-and-white, 16mm acetate film with variable-area optical sound.
In the opening scene, children can be seen playing outside. Young Joe Thomas’s mother calls him inside to clean himself before his father’s arrival from work. However, when his father returns to the family home it is revealed that he was injured by a falling castor and probably will never walk again. The rest of the film is loosely based on the life of American heavyweight boxer Joe Louis. The lead character, adult Joe Thomas, is played by Joe Louis himself. The film closes with a boxing match between Joe and a fellow boxer.
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
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
Boxing
Families
Film
Race films
Sports
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
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5bf4e5135-24a5-455c-9f43-3a89238779e2

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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