The Green-Eyed Monster (1919) [Lost Film]

Starring:

• Jack Austin
• Louise Dunbar
• Steve Reynolds
• Robert A. Stuart 

Information (pbs.org)
Richard Norman (Norman Film Manufacturing) made a number of silent feature films between 1915 and 1928. "The Green Eyed Monster," a film with an all African-American cast, was released in 1919. 

"The plot deals with the eternal triangle, two men in love with one girl, but the undercurrents bring in the interesting factor of two rival railroads and their fight for supremacy. Before the Government assumed chaperonage over the arteries of travel and transportation and when two roads ran on different routes to the same specific point, there was a rivalry between them as to which should carry the Government Fast mail. In order to ascertain the fastest of these, a race is run - and it was by winning this race that the hero also won the hands of his sweetheart. $10,000 worth of railroad equipment was used and an $80,000 train wreck is part of the story." -Herald Films



Norman produced a number of versions of his film "The Wrecker" (which he also called "The Green Eyed Monster" and "The Man at the Throttle") from 1916 to 1919, which had essentially the same plot as the 1919 version of "The Green Eyed Monster." Norman traveled across the Midwest and Florida to various towns, cast the local white citizens in starring roles, and filmed the same script over and over again. The townspeople were invited to view the movie at the local theater, which presumably enticed a large, paying audience to watch themselves, their friends and family up on the silver screen. 
 

Colorizing the Race Film Era

As of late, I have been spending time researching and discovering Black Independent films from the 20s, 30s and 40s. The Race Film movie list is steadily growing, but the unfortunate truth is that many of these films are missing or destroyed. I have been captivated by some of the aesthetics from these films. Showing African-American culture and perspective from Chicago, Harlem, Atlanta and many more cities across the United States; these films represent imagery in a time when African-Americans had to find their way in cinematography within an oppressed society. Nevertheless, here are some photos that I have colorized from the Race Film Era.

  Ethel Moses and Carmen Newsome, Birthright (1938)

Lawrence Chenault, Body & Soul (1925)

Tressie Mitchell, Ten Minutes To Live (1932)

 Lena Horne and Bill Robinson, Stormy Weather (1943)

Kathryn Boyd, The Flying Ace (1926)

Francine Everett, Dirty Gertie From Harelm U.S.A. (1946)

William Clayton Jr. and Edgar Moore, Ten Nights in a Barroom (1926)

 Fredi Washington, Imitations of Life (1934)

 Starr Calloway, The Girl From Chicago (1932)

 

Willor Lee Guilford, Ten Minutes To Live (1932) 

 Lorenzo Tucker, Veiled Aristocrats (1932)

 Lena Horne, Stormy Weather (1943)

 Cathryn Caviness, The Blood of Jesus (1941)

Evelyn Preer, The Homesteader (1919)

Race Film Infographics

Lately, we have been presenting Black films from the 1920s and 1930s. This has been an educational experience. It is surely tragic that many of these Race films are lost or destroyed. Here are a couple of infographs I made in dedication for the era. You may use these as you please.

http://www.blaxploitationpride.org/p/race-films.html

Heaven-Bound Travelers (1935)

Written and Directed by: 

• Eloyce Gist
• James Gist

Storyline
Silent film that tells the story of a man who falsely accuses his Christian wife of adultery and abandons her and their child. She remains true to her Christian faith and brings up their child in a Christian home. He regrets his decision whilst he battles the devil's temptations. A spiritual battle of good and evil is played out.