Directed by
Micheaux, Oscar, American, 1884 - 1951
Written by
Micheaux, Oscar, American, 1884 - 1951
Produced by
Micheaux, Oscar, American, 1884 - 1951
Distributed by
Micheaux Film and Book Company, American, 1918 - 1940
Subject of
Robeson, Paul, American, 1898 - 1976
Chenault, Lawrence, American, 1877 - 1943
Gilbert, Mercedes, American, 1894 - 1952
Created by
Russell, Julia Theresa, American, 1898 - 2000
Owned by
D.C. Public Library, American, founded 1896
Date
1925
Medium
polyester film
Dimensions
Duration: 33 Minutes
Length (Film): 1200 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
Reel two of a 1925 silent film with the title Body and Soul. It consists of a single reel of 16mm black-and-white polyester film without a sound track.
The film tells the story of an escaped prisoner on the run (played by Paul Robeson) who returns to his hometown, Tatesville, an African American town in the state of Georgia. Upon his return, the escapee assumes the identity of a clergyman, Reverend Isiah T. Jenkins, but continues attending the local juke joint surreptitiously, gambling and drinking with some frequency. On one occasion he happens upon Yellow-Curley Hinds (Lawrence Chenault), a former cellmate who recognizes him and the two conspire to rob some of the parishioners. Reverend Jenkins decides to rob Martha Jane (Mercedes Gilbert), one of the women in his congregation, of her life savings, while Martha Jane is intent on ensuring her daughter Isabelle (Julia Theresa Russell) marries the reverend. Isabelle, however, is not in love with Rev. Jenkins. Instead, her affection belongs to the reverend's estranged identical twin brother Sylvester (also played by Paul Robeson).
Place used
Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
Place depicted
Georgia, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
DC Public Library Film Collection
Classification
Time-based Media - Moving Images
Type
silent films
black-and-white films (visual works)
16mm (photographic film size)
Topic
Actors
Communities
Film
Race films
Religion
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2017.55.80.1a
Restrictions & Rights
Restrictions likely apply. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd540bdd27d-2d45-4780-bb27-4e774a4c1ba5

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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