Bert Williams
Also Known As: not available
Biography: Bert Williams was a Bahamian-born American entertainer, one of the pre-eminent entertainers of the Vaudeville era and one of the most popular comedians for all audiences of his time. He is credited as being the first Black man to have the leading role in a film: Darktown Jubilee in 1914.
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: Nassau, British West Indies [now Bahamas]
Adult: No
Birthday: November 12, 1874
Age: 150 years old
Gender: Male
Deathday: March 04, 1922
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Known For:
Ethnic Notions
Overview: This documentary traces the deep-rooted stereotypes which have fueled anti-black prejudice.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1986-12-05
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Actors' Fund Field Day
Overview: It's more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Regular village "cut-ups" are those actor chaps and actresses.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1910-10-11
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A Natural Born Gambler
Overview: A lovable scoundrel is busted for gambling and thrown into jail, where he dreams of playing poker - but even in his dreams, he loses.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: xx
Release Date: 1916-07-24
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Darktown Jubilee
Overview: Bert Williams in his film debut, a now lost film.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1914-12-31
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Fish
Overview: In an unprecedented move for its day in 1915, Biograph Company executives hired actor Bert Williams to star, produce, direct, and write his own films, having full control, the first time a Black-American ever had such control given by a mainstream movie company. The two films made for Biograph were A Natural Born Gambler (1916) and Fish (1916). Bert lives in a rustic-looking cottage with his parents and two much younger brothers. The three sons have been ordered to chop wood, but Bert would rather shirk his chores and go fishing. When his father orders him to take kindling to the stove, Bert sighs and wearily totes a couple of tiny sticks while his kid brothers carry large stumps. As soon as he can manage to escape Bert does so, and happily fishes at a nearby stream. Almost immediately he catches a large fish, and decides to head for a more affluent neighborhood to sell his catch to anyone willing to buy it.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1916-11-20
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Lime Kiln Club Field Day
Overview: Modeled after a popular collection of stories known as "Brother Gardener's Lime Kiln Club," the plot features three suitors vying to win the hand of the local beauty. Filmed in 1913, but after considerable footage was shot, the film was abandoned. One hundred years later, the seven reels of untitled and unassembled footage were discovered in the film vaults of the Museum of Modern Art, and are now believed to constitute the earliest surviving feature film starring black actors.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1913-01-01
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Bamboozled
Overview: Frustrated when network brass reject his sitcom idea, producer Pierre Delacroix pitches the worst idea he can think of in an attempt to get fired: a 21st century minstrel show. The network not only airs it, but it becomes a smash hit.
Genres: Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2000-10-06
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Black Shadows on a Silver Screen
Overview: Ossie Davis narrates a history of "race films," films made before 1950 which catered to a primarily black audience.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1975-04-19
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