Pioneers of African-American Cinema (5-Disc Blu-ray box set)

Explore the landmarks of early African-American film with this extensive collection of features and shorts. One of the most fascinating chapters of film history, the so-called ‘race films’ of 1920s, 30s and 40s America rallied against the prejudiced conventions of the time.

Starring, written, produced and directed by African-Americans, these pioneering films refined an innovative style that set them apart from the Hollywood establishment. Showcasing the works of influential filmmakers such as Oscar Micheaux, Spencer Williams, Zora Neale Hurston, and James and Eloyce Gist, Pioneers of African-American Cinema is a newly restored collection of rare and nearly-forgotten films that celebrates the enduring influence of these overlooked visionaries.

Includes a fully illustrated 80-page book with essays, photographs and film credits.

Contents:

Disc One (Total Running Time 282 minutes): 

• Two Knights of Vaudeville Ebony Film Co., 1915. 11 minutes. Music by Donald Sosin 
• Mercy the Mummy Mumbled (Blu-ray only) Ebony Film Co., 1918. 12 minutes. Music by the Alloy Orchestra. 
• A Reckless Rover Ebony Film Co., 1918. 14 minutes. Music by Donald Sosin. 
• Within Our Gates Oscar Micheaux, 1920. 73 minutes. Music by Paul D. Miller, aka DJ Spooky. 
• The Symbol of the Unconquered: A Story of the KKKOscar Micheaux, 1920. 59 minutes. Music by Max Roach. 
• By Right of Birth Lincoln Motion Picture Co., 1921. 4 minutes. Music by Donald Sosin.
• Body and Soul Oscar Micheaux, 1925. 93 minutes. Music by Paul D. Miller, aka DJ Spooky. 
• Screen Snapshots (Micheaux footage, 1920, 1 minute)
• Bonus: An Introduction (7 minutes)
• Bonus: The Films of Oscar Micheaux (8 minutes) 

Disc Two (Total Running Time – 259 minutes): 

• RegenerationRichard E. Norman, 1923. 11 minutes. Music by Donald Sosin.
• The Flying Ace Richard E. Norman, 1928. 65 minutes. Music by Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra. 
• Ten Nights in a Bar Room CPFC, 1926. 64 minutes. Music by Donald Sosin. 
• Rev. S.S. Jones Home Movies Rev. Solomon Sir Jones, 1924-1926. 16 minutes. Music by Andrew Simpson. 
• The Scar of Shame Frank Peregini, 1929. 86 minutes. Music by Makia Matsumura
• Bonus: The Color Line (5 minutes)
• Bonus: Ten Nights in a Bar Room – An Introduction (4 minutes)
• Bonus: About the Restoration (8 minutes) 

Disc Three (Total Running Time – 253 minutes): 

• Eleven P.M.Richard Maurice, 1928. 60 minutes. Music by Rob Gal. 
• Hell-Bound Train James and Eloyce Gist, 1930. 50 minutes. Restored by S. Torriano Berry. Music by Samuel D. Waymon.
• Verdict Not Guilty James and Eloyce Gist, 1934. 8 minutes. Restored by S. Torriano Berry. Music by Samuel D. Waymon.
• Heaven-Bound Travelers (Blu-ray only) James and Eloyce Gist, 1935. 15 minutes. Restored by S. Torriano Berry. Music by Samuel D. Waymon. 
• The Darktown Revue Oscar Micheaux, 1931. 18 minutes. The Exile Oscar Micheaux, 1931. 78 minutes.
• Hot Biskits Spencer Williams, 1931. 10 minutes. 

Disc Four (Total Running Time – 272 minutes): 

• The Girl from Chicago Oscar Micheaux, 1932. 70 minutes. 
• Ten Minutes to Live Oscar Micheaux, 1932. 58 minutes. 
• Veiled Aristocrats Oscar Micheaux, 1932. 48 minutes. 
• Birthright Oscar Micheaux, 1938. 73 minutes.
• Bonus: Veiled Aristocrats Trailer (4 minutes)
• Bonus: Birthright Trailer (4 minutes)
• Bonus: We Work Again(Blu-ray only) – WPA Documentary (1937, 15 minutes) 

Disc Five (Total Running Time – 243 minutes): 

• The Bronze Buckaroo Richard Kahn, 1939. 58 minutes. 
• Zora Neale Hurston Fieldwork Footage (excerpt) Zora Neale Hurtston, 1928. 3 minutes. 
• Commandment Keeper Church, Beaufort South Carolina, May 1940 (excerpt) Zora Neale Hurston, 1940. 15 minutes. 
• The Blood of Jesus Spencer Williams, 1941. 56 minutes. 
• Dirty Gertie from Harlem U.S.A. Spencer Williams, 1946. 60 minutes. 
• Moses Sisters Interview Pearl Bowser, 1978. 32 minutes.
• Bonus: Texas Tyler Promo Film with Ossie Davis (1985, 6 minutes)
• Bonus: The Films of Zora Neale Hurston (2 minutes)
• Bonus: The Films of Spencer Williams (7 minutes)
• Bonus: The End of an Era (4 minutes)

Includes a fully illustrated 80-page book with essays, photographs and film credits.