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Oscar Micheaux (1885-1951) Pioneer Independent Filmmaker This page is being constructed by Floyd Webb and Julie Dash We welcome any corrections and additions to this page. Please send them here, to the Secrets and Whispers Oscar Micheaux Homepage Oscar Micheaux (on right in photo below) was born in Metropolis, Illinois. Grandson of a slave, he was a coal miner, stockyardsman and porter before becoming a homesteader in Gregory,South Dakota (Oscar Micheaux Festival August 16-18, 1996). Micheaux believed the only independent future for the Black man lay on the Western Frontier. He sold his first novels about that experience door-to-door himself. He then realized the stories would make better movies than the ones which portrayed Black people in a negative light and sought to produce them as films. After being turned down by the Johnson Brothers, Nobel and George, the then preminent Black film producers of the early 1900s, he started the Micheaux Book and Film Company in Chicago to produce his films independently. He would barnstorm the south going from town to town, theater to theater, screening and pre-selling exhibition committments. Micheaux made a film with Paul Robeson, Body and Soul (1924), and many others are lost to be us. The most recent discovery was of the silent film Within Our Gates, discovered in Spain a few years ago after being lost for three-quarters of a century. It has just been released by the Library of Congress for $34.95. Also available in less sterling condition are some of Micheaux's sound films, all in B/W: Ten Minutes to Live, (1932) 63 min. - with two stories: The Faker and The Killer Murder in Harlem, (1935) 102 min. based on the Stanfield Murder Case, Clarence Brooks (Harlem Rides the Range, Bronze Buckeroo) stars in this story of a night watchman accused of murder. When he finds the body of a white woman in the chemical factory he guards, he must prove his innocence in court. Also stars Laura Bowman, Dorothy Van Engle, Andrew Bishop and Alec Lovejoy. A provocative murder mystery from director Oscar Micheaux. God's Stepchildren,(1938) 65 min. Micheaux's film deals with a light skinned African-American orphan who refuses to acknowledge her race. She winds up in a convent after being disruptive in her all Black school. Eventually she marries a dark-skinned man. A serious and moving film featuring Alice B. Russell, Carmen Newsome, Jacqueline Lewis and Ethel Moses. Swing, (1938) 70 min. - from Birmingham to Harlem, with Cora Green Lying Lips, (1939) 60 min. - nightclub intrigue with Robert Earl Jones, father of James Earl Jones The following filmography is only a partial listing of the vast body of Micheaux's work. Searches are still active for other prints of his lost work on an international basis. 1919 The Homesteader Within Our Gates Oscar Micheaux's second film is often seen as a reaction to D.W. Griffith's Birth of a Nation. In fact the film was a graphic depiction of the virulent racism of the day rather than simply a response to one film. A sharecropper is blamed for a murder and faces an angry mob. Micheaux included a lynching scene that startled many. Part of the Smithsonian Video/Library of Congress collection. 1920 The Brute Symbol of the Unconquered 1922 Gunaslaus Mystery Deceit The Dungeon The Virgin of the Seminole Son of Satan 1923 Jasper Landry's Will 1924 Body and Soul Actor, lawyer, writer, athlete, and an early voice against racism in the United States, Paul Robeson appeared on the screen for the first time in this Oscar Micheaux-directed silent film. The plot became a victim of the censors but it is basically the tale of a way ward preacher who is transformed into a detective then finally into a perfect husband via a bad dream by the film's heroine. Robeson's presence (despite the intrusion of the cen sors) brings a certain continuity to the film. 1926 The Spider's Web 1927 Millionaire 1928 When Men Betray Easy Street 1929 Wages of Sin 1930 Daughter of The Congo 1931 The Exile Darktown Revue 1932 Veiled Aristocrat Lorenzo Tucker (the "Black Valentino") stars in this story of a lawyer who returns home to find that his light-skinned sister is about to marry a dark-skinned man. His mother has picked a more suitable candidate. Director Oscar Micheaux once again tack les the issue of dark-skinned versus light-skinned African-Americans. Features Laura Bowman. Black Magic Ten Minutes to Live 1933 The Girl From Chicago Alonzo Smith, a Black secret service agent, falls in love with Norma, a Mississipi school teacher. He is then obliged to assist Normaís friend Mary in New York City. Mary has fallen in with a bad crowd causing the noble Alonzo to be accused of murder. Micheaux frequently showed African-Americans in positions of authority and respectiblity, in contrast to Hollywood stereotypes. Despite criticisms that these characters were unrealistic, they were a source of pride to the Black community. Ten Minutes to Kill 1934 Harlem After Midnight 1935 Lem Hawkin's Confession 1936 Temptation Underworld 1937 God's Step Children Oscar Micheaux's film deals with a light skinned African-American orphan who refuses to acknowledge her race. She winds up in a convent after being disruptive in her all Black school. Eventually she marries a dark-skinned man. A serious and moving film eaturing Alice B. Russell, Carmen Newsome, Jacqueline Lewis and Ethel Moses. 1938 Swing Oscar Micheaux was in the director's chair for this tribute to African-American music. Featured are songs performed from Alabama to Harlem, with the Tyler Twins performing the dance numbers, and also featuring Cora Green, Hazel Diaz, Carmen Newsome and Alec Lovejoy. 1939 Birthright(remake) Lying Lips Elsee, a nightclub singer, is sent to prison for the murder of her aunt. Her boyfriend, Benjamin, attempts to prove her innocence. Assisting Benjamin is detective Wanzer, played by Robert Earl Jones (James Earl Jones' father). Appearing in a bit part is Juano Hernandez (later to star in Intruder in the Dust ). A prime example of Micheauxís use of Hollywood genres and characterizations in so-called race films. Edna Mae Harris stars. 1940 The Notorius Elinor Lee 1948 Betrayal Go to Picture Palace for info on purchasing works by Micheaux on video. Works by Micheaux can also be purchased from Facets Multimedia 1517 W. Fullerton Chicago, IL 60614 312.281.9075 This page will be updated periodically and as information surfaces about the work of Oscar Micheaux. Back to Daughters Index | Julie Dash Filmography | History&Influences Gumbo YaYa | Awards | Potlikker All materials Copyright 1998 by Geechee Girls Productions, Inc unless otherwise credited. For more information about Geechee Girls Productions contact Geechee Girl. This site designed and executed by Floyd Webb, E22Funk, Chicago/ fw@itutu.com