Written by
Lawrence, Carol Munday, American
Produced by
Lawrence, Carol Munday, American
Directed by
Zagone, Robert N., American, born 1938
Published by
Beacon Films, American
Nguzo Saba Films, Inc., American, founded 1973
Subject of
Norris, Eunice, American, born 1897
Greenway, Frank, American
Ellison, George, American
Recorded by
Odetta, American, 1930 - 2008
Owned by
D.C. Public Library, American, founded 1896
Date
1979
Medium
acetate film
Dimensions
Duration: 28 min.
Physical extent (film): 1000 ft
Caption
The Black West relies on the oral histories of three early Black settlers of the American West—George Ellison, Frank Greenway, and Eunice Norris. Throughout the film they each recall their lives on the frontier and the unique challenges experienced by Black homesteaders in the late 19th/early 20th century. The film’s musical score was arranged by famous folk singer and civil rights activist, Odetta.
This film was a part of the Washington D.C. Public Library's circulating 16mm film collection housed at the Martin Luther King Jr. Central Library. The collection is particularly noted for the wide variety of African American and African diaspora content.
Description
A documentary film with the title The Black West from the mini television series Were You There? It consists of a single reel of positive 16mm acetate film with bilateral variable-area optical sound.
The film depicts the experiences of African American cowboys and the settler families of the late 1800s and early 1900s, relying on reenactments and personal narratives. Some of the individuals featured in the film include black cowboy George Ellison, rodeo competitor Frank Greenway, and Eunice Norris, who discusses her experience as a black child growing up in the West.
Place used
Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
Place filmed
Colorado, United States, North and Central America
Arizona, United States, North and Central America
Place made
United States, North and Central America
Collection title
DC Public Library Film Collection
Portfolio/Series
Were You There?
Classification
Time-based Media - Moving Images
Type
sound films
color films (visual works)
short subjects
16mm (photographic film size)
Topic
Agriculture
American West
Children
Documentary films
Film
Gender
Migrations
Race discrimination
Race relations
Rodeos
Rural life
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2017.55.1.1a
Restrictions & Rights
Restrictions likely apply. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5bf79eb0d-2f87-4879-8b33-d15697cd74ec

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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