- Directed by
- Barron, Evelyn, American
- Subject of
- Van Der Zee, James, American, 1886 - 1983
- Published by
- Filmakers Library Inc., American, 1969 - 2011
- Owned by
- D.C. Public Library, American, founded 1896
- Date
- 1977
- Medium
- acetate film
- Dimensions
- Duration: 20 Minutes
- Length (Film): 700 Feet
- Caption
- An intimate look into the life and career of Harlem photographer, James Van Der Zee. Van Der Zee recollects his personal and professional development as one of America’s most influential photographers of the twentieth century. Directed and produced by Evelyn Barron for New York’s WNBC-TV, this is a twenty minute documentary primarily narrated by Van Der Zee himself.
- 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 Uncommon Images: James Van Der Zee. It consists of a single reel of color 16mm acetate film with an optical sound track.
- Directed and produced by Evelyn Barron for New York’s WNBC-TV, this is a twenty-minute documentary primarily narrated by Van Der Zee himself. Ninety years old at the time of production, he recalls his early interest in photography and music, and the development of his photographic practices overtime. Van Der Zee emphasizes the impact of his second wife, Gaynella Greenlee, as an instrumental influence in the success of his Harlem-based studio throughout the twenties and thirties, the peak of the Harlem Renaissance. The film utilizes Van Der Zee’s extensive photography portfolio to compliment the narration.
- Place used
- Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
- Place filmed
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- DC Public Library Film Collection
- Classification
- Time-based Media - Moving Images
- Movement
- Harlem Renaissance (New Negro Movement)
- Type
- documentary television programs
- sound films
- color films (visual works)
- short subjects
- 16mm (photographic film size)
- Topic
- Documentary films
- Film
- Men
- Photography
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2017.55.20.1a
- Restrictions & Rights
- Restrictions likely apply. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




