Films & filmmakers

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Films

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The birth of a race

The Birth of a Race

Year Released

1918

Genre

Drama

Production

Birth of a Race Photoplay CorporationFrohman Amusement Corporation

Director

John W. Noble

Overview

The film was an early attempt to counteract the negative effects of the racist film Birth of a Nation (1915) by highlighting Black achievements starting with the Garden of Eden.

Credits

Producer

John W. Noble

Director

John W. Noble

Screenplay

George F. WheelerRudolph De CordovaJohn W. NobleAnthony Paul KellyTom Bret

Photography

Herbert O. Carleton

Musician

Joseph Carl Breil

Actor

Louis DeanHarry DumontCarter B. HarknessDoris DoscherCharles GrahamBen HendricksAlice GaleJohn ReinhardtGertrude BraunStephen Grattan

Production

Birth of a Race Photoplay CorporationFrohman Amusement Corporation

Distribution

States’ Rights

Technical Specs

Year Released

1918

Genre

Drama

Color

Black and White

Aspect Ratio

1.33:1

Running Time (Reels)

10 reels

Alternative Titles

Lincoln’s Dream

Conservation Status

Film considered lost

About the Filmography

The selected filmography for the years 1897–1971 includes works featured in the exhibition and others that are considered historically, socially, or politically relevant. Hollywood productions are generally excluded; the focus is instead on independent films, particularly the work of Black filmmakers. Black Academy Award nominees and winners are noted. This filmography was compiled using the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and various filmographies, including those by Klotman, Richards, and Hyatt. Primary production materials and contemporaneous film reviews were also consulted. Complete credits for many of the films are unavailable. All films are US productions unless otherwise noted, and distribution credits refer to the original distributors.

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