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.