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Paul Robeson,
Paul Robeson,
Dudley Digges,
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Dudley Murphy,
Thornton Freeland,
Oscar Micheaux,
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: Criterion
: Drama, Silent, Silent Dramas, Criterion Collection, Crime
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Body and Soul / Borderline (Criterion Collection) (1925)
Written and directed by independent auteur Oscar Micheaux, the low-budget silent film Body and Soul is significant as the film debut of actor Paul Robeson. He leads the largely African-American cast as the Reverend Isaiah T. Jenkins, a minister who lies, cheats, and steals. He's really an escaped convict and con artist posing as a Reverend. Even though he takes his flask with him to church, his followers believe in him. An upstanding member of the congregation, Martha Jane (Julia Theresa Russell), encourages her daughter, Isabelle (Mercedes Gilbert), to accept him as a suitor. Meanwhile, Jenkins' poor but honest twin brother Sylvester (also Robeson) also courts Isabelle as well. Inevitably, the bad twin Jenkins steals Isabelle's life savings and she flees to Atlanta. The National Board of Review disapproved of a clergyman as an evil character and Micheaux was running out of money, so the conclusion is a tacked-on "it was all just a dream" ending. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
The Emperor Jones (Criterion Collection) (1933)
Adapted by DuBose Heyward from a Eugene O'Neill play, Emperor Jones is one of Paul Robeson's earliest and most powerful leading roles. Railroad porter Brutus Jones (Robeson) leaves his girlfriend Dolly (Ruby Elzy) in favor of Undine (Fredi Washington), but he soon leaves her too. Brutus is a master manipulator, liar, and swindler who murders his friend Jeff (Frank Wilson) over a crap game. He ends up on a chain gang, but escapes to Haiti where the white trader Smithers (Dudley Digges) buys his freedom. He then scams his way into a business partnership with Smithers and becomes rich. He plays tricks on the natives with a gun, proclaiming that only a silver bullet can kill him. The natives believe he is immortal and he declares himself emperor, holding a tyrannical rule over the people. They naturally revolt, and he is forced to escape into the jungle. Brutus disappears into the woods where he hears voices and sees visions, eventually leading up to his suicide. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
Paul Robeson: Portraits of the Artist: Proud Valley / Native Land (Criterion Collection) (1940)
Proud Valley was directed by Pen Tennyson, whose early death in WW2 robbed the British movie industry of one of its more talented contributors. African American singing star Paul Robeson heads the cast as David, a black stoker seeaking work in the coal mines of Wales. He finds an ally in the form of miner Dick Parry (Edward Chapman), who is less interested in David's capacity for work than he is in the newcomer's robust baritone. It seems that Parry is in charge of the local miner's choir, and he hopes to win the national singing meet on the strength of David's vocal chords. An unexpected disaster not only puts an end to this dream, but also threatens to financially wipe out Parry, his family and all his friends. It is David who comes to everyone's rescue with a spectacular, near-messianic act of self-sacrifice. Though it seems somewhat flat when seen today, Proud Valley is enervated by the commanding presence of Paul Robeson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Sanders of the River / Jericho (Criterion Collection) (1937)
In this drama, a black American corporal gets court-martialed for a murder and receives a death sentence. Unfortunately, he is innocent. A white captain believes him and gives him one last furlough so he can spend New Year's Eve with his friends. Naturally the corporal uses the opportunity to go AWOL. The captain is later thrown out of the military and imprisoned for letting the colonel go. The colonel had no idea that the captain suffered so much on his behalf. The former captain, feels betrayed by the colonel and vows to get his revenge. After he is finally freed from prison, the ex-captain goes on a world-wide search for the former colonel. He finds him living in the African desert, leading a large tribe, and raising a family. The captain is just about to kill the colonel, and then has a change of heart. He decides to return to the States. The ex-colonel agrees to go with him, but the captain fights him because he wants him to stay. Unfortunately, the rest of the tribe misconstrues the captain's reasons for fighting with their leader. They shoot him in cold blood. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
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| Body and Soul / Borderline (Criterion Collection) (1925) |
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| The Emperor Jones (Criterion Collection) (1933) |
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| Paul Robeson: Portraits of the Artist: Proud Valley / Native Land (Criterion Collection) (1940) |
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| Sanders of the River / Jericho (Criterion Collection) (1937) |
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