Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- This education collection features ephemera from early Black films. Also known as an artificial collection, items were brought together from different origins for the purpose of teaching on a specific subject.
- Extent:
- 2 Linear Feet (1 oversized flat box, 1 map case drawer folder)
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Series name, Box and Folder number, Loyola Marymount University Early Black Cinema Collection, MS142, Department of Archives and Special Collections, William H. Hannon Library, Loyola Marymount University.
Background
- Biographical / historical:
-
In 1926, Norman Studios produced "The Flying Ace," a film selected by Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden to join the Library of Congress National Film Registry. The poster for the film advertises an "all-colored cast," as does the studio's follow-up film "Black Gold," released in 1928. Both titles belong to the race film genre as they were created for Black audiences and staring Black casts as a response to being excluded from mainstream Hollywood films in the early 20th century.
Decades later, "Rock 'n' Roll Revue" was released, featuring live musical and comedic performances from artists including Duke Ellington, Larry Darnell, Coles and Atkins, The Clovers, Dinah Washington, and Nat King Cole. This production was filmed at the Apollo Theater in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City.
In 1972, Wattstax was a benefit concert in commemoration of the Watts Riots of 1965. A recording of this performance held at the Los Angeles Coliseum was distributed the following year by Columbia Pictures under the same name. In 2020, "Wattstax" was also selected to join the Library of Congress National Film Registry. Performers advertised include Isaac Hayes, The Staple Singers, Luther Ingram, Johnnie Taylor, The Emotions, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, Albert King, and Richard Pryor.
- Acquisition information:
-
"Flying Ace," "Black Gold," "Rock 'n' Roll Revue," and "Wattstax" items were purchased via Antiquarian Booksellers Association of American from Michael Laird Rare Books LLC and Royal Books, Inc. Accession numbers: 2023.20 and 2023.21.
Reprints of "The Betrayal," "Cotton Comes to Harlem," "Watermelon Man," and "Buck and the Preacher" were donations. Original lobby cards from "The Landlord" were donations. Accession number: 2024.34.
- Arrangement:
-
This collection is organized by film and is in chronological order by release date.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Collection is open to research under the terms of use of the Department of Archives and Special Collections, Loyola Marymount University.
- Terms of access:
-
Materials in the Department of Archives and Special Collections may be subject to copyright. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, Loyola Marymount University does not claim ownership of the copyright of any materials in its collections. The user or publisher must secure permission to publish from the copyright owner. Loyola Marymount University does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or of publication rights held by the original author or artists or his/her heirs, assigns, or executors.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Series name, Box and Folder number, Loyola Marymount University Early Black Cinema Collection, MS142, Department of Archives and Special Collections, William H. Hannon Library, Loyola Marymount University.
- Location of this collection:
-
1 LMU DriveLos Angeles, CA 90045-2659, US
- Contact:
- (310) 338-5710