Directed by
Ray, Bernard B, Russian, 1895 - 1964
Written by
Ray, Bernard B, Russian, 1895 - 1964
Muse, Clarence, American, 1889 - 1979
Produced by
Borden, Lewie C.
Subject of
Muse, Clarence, American, 1889 - 1979
Lewis, Sybil, American, 1919 - 1988
Washington, William, American, 1924 - 1982
Moore, Tommie, American, 1917 - 2004
Beard, Mathew Jr., American, 1925 - 1981
Webster, Pete, American, 1905 - 1988
Thompson, Edward, American, 1898 - 1960
Woods, Buck, American, 1905 - 1974
Jones, Darby, American, 1910 - 1986
Brooks, Jess Lee, American, 1894 - 1944
Morris, Earle, American, born 1897
The Stevens Sisters, American
Carpenter, Elliot, American, 1894 - 1982
Date
1940
Medium
acetate film
Dimensions
Duration: 60 Minutes
Length (Film Reel 1): 1300 Feet
Length (Film Reel 2): 900 Feet
Description
A 16mm release print of the feature film Broken Strings. It consists of two reels of positive, black and white, 16mm acetate film with variable area optical sound. The first scene opens with a shot outside a theatre. The footage then quickly jumps to concert violinist Arthur Williams (Clarence Muse) performing onstage as his family watches from the wings. At the end of his performance, the audience applauds, Williams returns to the wings and hands his son John (William Washington) his violin before returning to the stage a third time and addressing the audience. The rest of the film chronicles how Williams’ career abruptly ends when he suffers a hand injury in a motor vehicle accident. His hopes of bequeathing his classical training and success to his son are challenged when he learns his son prefers performing swing music to performing classical music.
Place depicted
United States, North and Central America
Place filmed
United States, North and Central America
Classification
Media Arts-Film and Video
Type
sound films
black-and-white films (visual works)
release prints (motion pictures)
feature films
16mm (photographic film size)
Topic
Domestic life
Drama (Theatre)
Film
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
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd57e39ee1a-f15b-4b71-b718-7bdea9ddeb51

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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