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Early Black Cinema Collection - Four Film Set w/2 Paul Robeson Movies

• Big Fella (1937)

  Directed by J. Elder Wills.
  Featuring Paul Robeson, Elisabeth Welch, Eldon Grant, Roy Emerton, Marcelle Rogez.

  A classic musical celebrating the legendary actor, singer, and activist Paul Robeson. Joe, a dockworker in Marseilles, finds a missing boy and takes him to stay with a local cafe singer, Miranda where they both become surrogate parents to the child. 73 min

• Song of Freedom (1936)

  Directed by J. Elder Wills.
  Cast: Paul Robeson, Elizabeth Welch, Robert Adams, Orlando Martins, James Solomon, Toto Ware.

  Robeson portrays a successful concert singer in England who discovers he is the descendant of a West African queen whose tribe is now in need of a leader. He returns to the home of his ancestors; the island of Casanga off the coast of Africa. However, following his arrival conflict erupts over his claim to royalty. 80 min.

• Moon Over Harlem (1939)

  Directed by Edgar G. Ulmer.
  Cast: Bud Harris, Cora Green, Izinetta Wilcox, Carl Gough, Slim Thompson.

  An unusual musical melodrama with an all-black cast about Harlem widow Minnie who marries "Dollar" Bill, a shady gambler who is after her money and her attractive daughter, Sue. Sue is in love with Bob, an idealist who decides to organize the community against local racketeers and does not realize that his would-be father-in-law Dollar Bill is one of them. Film features 20 chorus girls, a choir, a rare appearance by jazz legend Sidney Bechet and a 60-piece symphony orchestra under the direction of Donald Heywood. 67 min.

• Juke Joint (1947)

  Director, Spencer Williams.
  Cast: Spencer Williams, July Jones, Inez Newell, Leonard Duncan, Dauphine Moore, Melody Duncan, Katherine Moore, Tilford Patterson, Albert Smith, Howard Galloway, Clifford Beamon, Frances McHugh, Don Gilbert, Mac and Ace, Kit and Kert, The Jitterbug Johnnies, Duncan's Beauty Show Girls.

  Two slick talking traveling "thespians" seek a room at the home of Mama Holiday and become embroiled in her family's affairs. Mama is at odds with her dreamer husband & glamour-seeking daughters, one of whom is propositioned by the owner of the local juke joint. To gain Mama's favor, the men use their persuasive skills to keep the daughter from leaving town with her suitor. 70 min.