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In The Shadow of Hollywood

Race Movies and Birth of Black Cinema

A trip down the forgotten era in Hollywood when not many African Americans were getting ‘breaks’ in movies.

That’s when they started producing their one 'race' movies, exclusively for black audiences.

About 500 such films were produced, but only about 100 survive today.

Filmmaking pioneers like Oscar Micheaux, the Noble brothers, and Spencer Williams, Jr. left a lasting influence on black filmmakers, and inspired generations of audiences who finally saw their own lives reflected on the silver screen.

A Brad Osborne and Andy Streitfeld film for AMS Pictures.

Episodic Synopsis available here