Bert Williams
Bert Williams was a Bahamian-born American entertainer, one of the pre-eminent entertainers of the Vaudeville era and one of the most popular comedians for all audiences of his time. He is credited as being the first Black man to have the leading role in a film: Darktown Jubilee in 1914.
Ethnic Notions
(1986)
This documentary traces the deep-rooted stereotypes which have fueled anti-black prejudice. (more)
This documentary traces the deep-rooted stereotypes which have fueled anti-black prejudice. (more)
Black Shadows on a Silver Screen (1975)
Ossie Davis narrates a history of "race films," films made before 1950 which catered to a primarily black audience. (more)
Ossie Davis narrates a history of "race films," films made before 1950 which catered to a primarily black audience. (more)
A Natural Born Gambler (1916)
A lovable scoundrel is busted for gambling and thrown into jail, where he dreams of playing poker - but even in his dreams, he loses. (more)
A lovable scoundrel is busted for gambling and thrown into jail, where he dreams of playing poker - but even in his dreams, he loses. (more)
Lime Kiln Club Field Day (1913)
Modeled after a popular collection of stories known as "Brother Gardener's Lime Kiln Club," the plot features three suitors vying to win the hand of the local beauty. Filmed in 1913, but after considerable footage was shot, the film was abandoned. One hundred years ... (more)
Modeled after a popular collection of stories known as "Brother Gardener's Lime Kiln Club," the plot features three suitors vying to win the hand of the local beauty. Filmed in 1913, but after considerable footage was shot, the film was abandoned. One hundred years ... (more)
Actors' Fund Field Day (1910)
It's more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Regular village "cut-ups" are those actor chaps and actresses. (more)
It's more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Regular village "cut-ups" are those actor chaps and actresses. (more)
Fish (1916)
In an unprecedented move for its day in 1915, Biograph Company executives hired actor Bert Williams to star, produce, direct, and write his own films, having full control, the first time a Black-American ever had such control given by a mainstream movie company. ... (more)
In an unprecedented move for its day in 1915, Biograph Company executives hired actor Bert Williams to star, produce, direct, and write his own films, having full control, the first time a Black-American ever had such control given by a mainstream movie company. ... (more)
Darktown Jubilee (1914)