Directed by
Noble, Gil, American, 1932 - 2012
Produced by
Noble, Gil, American, 1932 - 2012
Written by
Noble, Gil, American, 1932 - 2012
Interview of
Powell, Adam Clayton Jr., American, 1908 - 1972
Scott, Hazel, American, 1920 - 1981
Subject of
United States Congress, American, founded 1789
Abyssinian Baptist Church, American, founded 1808
Upshur, Lillian, American, ca. 1912 - 1985
X, Malcolm, American, 1925 - 1965
Dr. King, Martin Luther Jr., American, 1929 - 1968
James, Esther, American
Flores, Yvette, Puerto Rican, 1931 - 2016
Owned by
D.C. Public Library, American, founded 1896
Date
1979
Medium
acetate film
Dimensions
Duration (Reel 1): 21 Minutes
Length (Film): 750 Feet
Duration (Reel 2): 29 Minutes
Length (Film): 1050 Feet
Caption
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 16mm motion picture film of an episode of the television series Like It Is. The episode is titled "Adam Clayton Powell: An Autobiographical Documentary" and consists of two reels of 16mm color acetate film with optical sound.
Through the use of interviews interspersed with archival footage, the documentary profiles the life and career of Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Jr., New York's first black congressman and the second black man to be elected to the United States Congress after Reconstruction. It opens with Rev. Powell delivering a sermon to his congregation at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, before segueing to an interview between Powell and filmmaker Gil Noble. The men discuss issues such as Rev. Powell's early years as the son of a Baptist preacher and attending preparatory school for high-achieving students before pursuing a bachelor's degree at Colgate University. Congressman Powell then comments on considering attending Harvard's medical school after his tenure at Colgate but ultimately deciding not to attend as he felt compelled to pursue a life of ministry. The discussion then shifts to his early activism: picketing for better jobs and housing for his parishioners in Harlem and his work with A. Philip Randolph redistricting Harlem as a congressional district.
The documentary also includes interview clips with Powell's second wife, Hazel Scott. Mrs. Scott describes their early years courting as archival footage of their wedding in Connecticut appears on the screen. Much of the rest of the documentary focuses on Rev. Powell's work as a congressman, such as his work on the war on poverty; his role in international affairs with footage of him attending the Bandung Conference (Asian-African Conference); his efforts to bring prominent members of the African American community to his church, this includes footage of Malcolm X addressing the Abyssinian congregation and Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. commenting on the Rhodesian conflict.
The final segments of the documentary discuss Rev. Powell's later political years. This includes the United States Treasury Department's investigations into his alleged tax evasion; the Esther James controversy and concomitant libel lawsuit; the accusations of his misuse of congressional funds and removal from congress, as well as his successful efforts to challenge these in the United States Supreme Court. The film closes with Rev. Powell delivering a sermon on the importance of political franchise, using an analogy about George Washington Carver to elucidate his point.
Place used
Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
Place made
United States, North and Central America
Place depicted
Harlem, New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
DC Public Library Film Collection
Portfolio/Series
Like It Is
Classification
Time-based Media - Moving Images
Movement
Civil Rights Movement
Type
interviews
sound films
color films (visual works)
16mm (photographic film size)
Topic
Activism
Baptist
Civil rights
Documentary films
Film
Housing
Men
Politics
Preaching
Profile films
Public television
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2017.55.11.1ab
Restrictions & Rights
Restrictions likely apply. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd592653feb-b61e-4821-b7bf-455f470f58b3

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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