African American Films Through 1959

Larry Richards is a librarian at the Free Library of Philadelphia.

“detailed and well-organized...well illustrated...excellent”—Booklist; “a veritable beacon...casts a light on a whole period of filmmaking that has been obscured in darkness for decades...a wonderful collection of films, reviews, and advertisements that rescues African-American cinema from neglect and obscurity...should be a fixture in everyone’s reference collections”—Film & History; “detailed production information, lengthy commentary...the extensive research that is provided on the talking shorts and features, which include ‘Soundies’ and documentaries, is nothing less than splendid...a major accomplishment...the vital information found within its pages is a valuable contribution to film history in a handsome presentation”—The Silents Majority; “very thorough and precise...important”—Rettig on Reference; “detailed credits and plot synopses...unique”—Choice; “recommended”—Public Library Quarterly; “comprehensive”—BCALA Newsletter; “most welcome”—Classic Images; “historically important and fascinating”—Psychotronic.

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgments     Preface     Historical Overview     THE FILMS     Appendix A: Actor Credits     Appendix B: Film Companies     Appendix C: Director Credits     Appendix D: Producer Credits     Appendix E: Films by Year     Index