Oscar Micheaux Conference

At the following link: http://www.filmlinc.com/wrt/onsale/micheaux/program.html, you will find the program of a film series exhibited at the Film Society of Lincoln Center at the Walter Reade Theater.  The screenings took place from February 6th through the 19th in 2009.

All of Micheaux's films are worth seeing at least once in a 35 mm print in a beautiful state-of-the-art theater like the Walter Reade.  Body and Soul, which I have now viewed several times in 35 mm is a rare pleasure to see because it stars the young and devastatingly handsome Paul Robeson.  Despite whatever the shortcomings of the script and/or continuity, Robeson is nonetheless absolutely stunning, especially when viewing the correctly restored copy and also considering that the year is 1925.  

Each of the other films is immensely fascinating for entirely different reasons.  Of films by other director's, The Flying Ace rates among the very best silent films I have ever seen of any variety. Great performances and a wonderful story. 

Cabin in the Sky, directed by Vincente Minnelli, is a masterpiece of its time and contains some of the very best examples of black performance from an all-star cast including a young Lena Horne and and an endearingly humorous Butterfly McQueen, as well as Ethel Waters, Eddie Anderson, John Bubbles, Louis Armstrong all at the peak of their powers.  The story which derives from an important stage production is more than a little silly but the music, which includes songs not only from Ethel Waters and Lena Horne but also Duke Ellington, as well as the dance of Katherine Dunham and company, is of top quality.  In 35 millimeter it should be irresistible.  

Ten Nights in a Barroom (1926) stars Charles Gilpin who is also known as the first star on stage of Emperor Jones at the Provincetown Playhouse in the early 20s. A great actor. Hallelujah! directed by King Vidor (1929) is also a stunning film for its musical and dance performances as well as the chase scene at the end on location with a very young and perky Nina Mae McKinney in the lead role.  Singers Victoria Spivey and Daniel Haynes also giving strong performances.  

Within Our Gates (1920)

Symbol of the Unconquered (1920)

Birthright (1939)

Body and Soul (1925)

The Exile (1931)

The Girl From Chicago (1932)

Murder in Harlem(1935)

Underworld (1937)--16 mm

Swing (1938)

Richard Norman's:

The Flying Ace (1925)

The Bull-Dogger (1921)

Spencer Williams:

Go Down Death (1944)

The Girl in Room 20 (1946)

Juke Joint (1947)

King Vidor, Hallelujah! (1929)

Jack Kemp, Miracle in Harlem (1948)

Edgar G. Ulmer, Moon Over Harlem (1939)

Frank Peregrini, The Scar of Shame (1929)

Powell Lindsay, Soul of Sin (1949)

Ten Nights in a Barroom (1926)

 Vincente Minnelli, Cabin in the Sky (1943)