“Pioneers of African-American Cinema” DVD/Blu-Ray Giveaway!
Qualifying Entry Task
“This very special collection illuminates one of the most fascinating and unjustly neglected corners of American movie history. Every film included in Pioneers of African-American Cinema has been lovingly restored, and every one is essential viewing.”
-Martin Scorcese
CMH is very happy to announce that we’ll be giving away FIVE COPIES of a very special DVD/Blu-Ray Set in July — “Pioneers of African-American Cinema” — courtesy of our friends at Kino Lorber! This 5-Disc historical collection features the vital works of America’s legendary first African-American filmmakers, and will be available in stores on July 27th. But you can win it right here on CMH this month!
In order to qualify to win one of these Sets via this contest giveaway, you must complete the below entry task by Saturday, July 30 at 10PM EST. However, the sooner you enter, the better chance you have of winning, because we will pick one winner on five different days within the contest period, via random drawings, as listed below… So if you don’t win the first week that you enter, you will still be eligible to win during the following weeks until the contest is over. Please note that each winner will be able to choose their preferred format: DVD or Blu-Ray.
- July 2: One Winner
- July 9: One Winner
- July 16: One Winner
- July 23: One Winner
- July 30: One Winner
We will announce each week’s winner on Twitter @ClassicMovieHub and right here on this Blog in the comment section below, the day after each winner is picked at 10PM EST — for example, we will announce our first week’s winner at 10PM EST on Sunday July 3.
Pioneering Director, Oscar Micheaux
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ENTRY TASK (2-parts) to be completed by Saturday, July 30 at 10PM EST — BUT remember, the sooner you enter, the more chances you have to win…
1) Answer the below question via the comment section at the bottom of this blog post
2) *Then TWEET (not DM) the following message:
Just entered to win “Pioneers of African-American Cinema” courtesy of @ClassicMovieHub & @KinoLorber #DVDGiveaway
THE QUESTION:
What is it about this historic collection that intrigues you most?
NOTE: if for any reason you encounter a problem commenting here on this blog, please feel free to tweet or DM us, or send an email to classicmoviehub@gmail.com and we will be happy to create the entry for you.
*If you do not have a Twitter account, you can still enter the contest by simply answering the above question via the comment section at the bottom of this blog — BUT PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU ADD THIS VERBIAGE TO YOUR ANSWER: I do not have a Twitter account, so I am posting here to enter but cannot tweet the message.
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About “Pioneers of African-American Cinema: This collection of the works of America’s legendary first African-American filmmakers is the only one of its kind. Funded in part by a highly successful Kickstarter campaign, the packaged set includes no fewer than a dozen feature-length films and nearly twice as many shorts and rare fragments. Subject matter includes race issues that went unaddressed by Hollywood for decades.
* New digital restorations of over a dozen feature films, plus shorts, fragments, trailers, documentary footage, archival interviews and audio recordings
* Contemporary interviews with historians and film preservationists
* 80-page booklet with essays and detailed film notes
* Musical scores by DJ Spooky, Max Roach, Alloy Orchestra, Samuel Waymon, Makia Matsumura, Donald Sosin and others
Disc One (Total Running Time 282 minutes): Two Knights of Vaudeville Ebony Film Co., 1915. 11 minutes. Music by Donald Sosin Mercy the Mummy Mumbled (BLU-RAY ONLY) Ebony Film Co., 1918. 12 minutes. Music by the Alloy Orchestra. A Reckless Rover Ebony Film Co., 1918. 14 minutes. Music by Donald Sosin. Within Our Gates Oscar Micheaux, 1920. 73 minutes. Music by Paul D. Miller, aka DJ Spooky. The Symbol of the Unconquered: A Story of the KKKOscar Micheaux, 1920. 59 minutes. Music by Max Roach. By Right of Birth Lincoln Motion Picture Co., 1921. 4 minutes. Music by Donald Sosin.Body and Soul Oscar Micheaux, 1925. 93 minutes. Music by Paul D. Miller, aka DJ Spooky.Screen Snapshots (Micheaux footage, 1920, 1 minute) Bonus: An Introduction (7 minutes) Bonus: The Films of Oscar Micheaux (8 minutes)
Disc Two (Total Running Time – 259 minutes): RegenerationRichard E. Norman, 1923. 11 minutes. Music by Donald Sosin.The Flying Ace Richard E. Norman, 1928. 65 minutes. Music by Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra. Ten Nights in a Bar RoomCPFC, 1926. 64 minutes. Music by Donald Sosin. Rev. S.S. Jones Home Movies Rev. Solomon Sir Jones, 1924-1926. 16 minutes. Music by Andrew Simpson. The Scar of Shame Frank Peregini, 1929. 86 minutes. Music by Makia Matsumura Bonus: The Color Line (5 minutes) Bonus: Ten Nights in a Bar Room – An Introduction (4 minutes) Bonus: About the Restoration (8 minutes)
Disc Three (Total Running Time – 253 minutes): Eleven P.M.Richard Maurice, 1928. 60 minutes. Music by Rob Gal. Hell-Bound Train James and Eloyce Gist, 1930. 50 minutes. Restored by S. Torriano Berry. Music by Samuel D. Waymon.Verdict Not Guilty James and Eloyce Gist, 1934. 8 minutes. Restored by S. Torriano Berry. Music by Samuel D. Waymon.Heaven-Bound Travelers (BLU-RAY ONLY) James and Eloyce Gist, 1935. 15 minutes. Restored by S. Torriano Berry. Music by Samuel D. Waymon. The Darktown Revue Oscar Micheaux, 1931. 18 minutes. The Exile Oscar Micheaux, 1931. 78 minutes.Hot Biskits Spencer Williams, 1931. 10 minutes.
Disc Four (Total Running Time – 272 minutes): The Girl from Chicago Oscar Micheaux, 1932. 70 minutes. Ten Minutes to Live Oscar Micheaux, 1932. 58 minutes. Veiled AristocratsOscar Micheaux, 1932. 48 minutes. Birthright Oscar Micheaux, 1938. 73 minutes. Bonus: Veiled Aristocrats Trailer (4 minutes) Bonus: Birthright Trailer (4 minutes) Bonus: We Work Again(BLU-RAY ONLY) – WPA Documentary (1937, 15 minutes)
Disc Five (Total Running Time – 243 minutes): The Bronze Buckaroo Richard Kahn, 1939. 58 minutes. Zora Neale Hurston Fieldwork Footage (excerpt) Zora Neale Hurtston, 1928. 3 minutes. Commandment Keeper Church, Beaufort South Carolina, May 1940 (excerpt) Zora Neale Hurston, 1940. 15 minutes. The Blood of Jesus Spencer Williams, 1941. 56 minutes. Dirty Gertie from Harlem U.S.A. Spencer Williams, 1946. 60 minutes. Moses Sisters Interview Pearl Bowser, 1978. 32 minutes. Bonus: Texas Tyler Promo Film with Ossie Davis (1985, 6 minutes) Bonus: The Films of Zora Neale Hurston (2 minutes) Bonus: The Films of Spencer Williams (7 minutes) Bonus: The End of an Era (4 minutes)
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Click here for the full contest rules and more details.
You can visit Kino Lorber on their website, on Twitter at @KinoLorber or on Facebook.
Please note that only Continental United States (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and the territory of Puerto Rico) entrants are eligible.
And — BlogHub members ARE eligible to win if they live within the Continental United States (as noted above).
If you don’t want to wait to win, you can purchase the DVD or Blu-Ray by clicking here:
Good Luck!
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–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub
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It seems like I’ve been fascinated by blacks in cinema my whole life. I’m interested in this collection because it can expose me to those productions that I’ve never had the opportunity to see before. This is history!
I can hardly wait for this release… I think it’s going to be a real gem! Thanks for entering 🙂
I love seeing new films and to see all these films from the first African-American filmmakers would just be awesome! Really looking forward to it! Thanks so much for the chance!
I am an aspiring filmmaker and a a black woman. I have always liked to see myself on screen. My favorite classic movies include people of color but you have to search so hard for this media. I would love to see origins stories of black film!
Hi, I am trying to match your tweet to this comment. Could you please let me know if you tweeted the message, and what I should be looking for? Thanks!
I’m looking forward to learning more about an area of Cinema that I could use more experience with. Can’t wait! Always more to learn. (Twitter is @BeardedAlbion
Thanks Patrick. Got it! Good Luck 🙂
I haven’t seen any of the films and would love to learn more about the pioneers of African-American cinema.
Hi Tim, Please don’t forget to tweet the qualifying message. And if you don’t have twitter, please let me know by commenting here. Thanks!
I teach African American history at a community college in New Jersey, and practically
all of my students (who are almost all students of color) know nothing about the African American contribution to the film industry before 1940–and this collection will help me more fully integrate that aspect of black culture into my course, and into my students’ worldviews, than anything else I can think of. When I lectured on Oscar Micheaux this spring, students thought I was making him up — until I showed a brief film clip! This collection would do me and my students a world of good!
Oh I think that’s a wonderful reason! And I’m so happy that you are sharing these important pioneers with your students.Thank you for entering the contest and Good Luck 🙂
I’m looking forward to discovering an important area of cinema that doesn’t often get explored. It would be nice to learn about the themes and subject matter that is unfortunately all too relevant in today’s society. I’m also saying this because cinema is my life.
I would love to see these mostly never seen films. Also would love to donate it after I watch it to local school so kids will experience this early film making.
I’ve seen many of these films, and can promise anyone who purchases this set will find them revelatory and inspirational! I can’t wait to have this release in my home!
Hi Michael, Please don’t forget to tweet the qualifying message. And if you don’t have twitter, please let me know by commenting here. Thanks so much 🙂
This would be great as I try to make my film history project as inclusive as possible. This includes several movies I’ll be covering in the coming years.
I’m excited to catch up with these often ignored pieces of cinema history. (Twitter is @JEBermanator)
I think it’s incredibly important that African-American filmmakers are not erased from the narrative of film history. It’s so important to have a collection like this available to keep early African-American filmmakers’ place in film history from being ignored! I haven’t gotten the chance to see many of the films in this collection so I would love to win this! (My twitter is @martinimissy)
Yes, I so agree… and I’m glad that Kino Lorber was able to put this collection together. I am looking very forward to seeing it myself… Thanks for entering!
What intrigues me the most about this collection is that the fact that there exists early 1900’s black cinema. After I saw Emperor Jones with Paul Robeson, I immediately ordered a box set with some of his other films and boy was I surprised that an African American actually starred in a lead role. After some quick reading I found that there were alot of movies made by African Americans in the early 1900’s, which I thought immediately were lost forever to time. I almost caused an accident when I heard on NPR in an interview about Kino Lorber working to restore/or have restored this collection of films..
I remember hearing about a film in this series that sounded interesting…The director wanted to signify (dont quote me here) that the world was upside down for all of the lynchings that was going on. To illustrate this there’s a scene where the whole frame/shot is turned upside down. I remember thinking that that must’ve been a pretty heavy moment.
I could go on and on about what little I know about African Americans in early cinema, and 5 discs worth of history is more than enough to send someone in the right direction towards learning about an almost forgotten era of cinema.
This is an incredibly important venture, and the epitome of what home-video should be striving to achieve. With so many DVD and Blu-Ray releases re-packaging the familiar and already successful, this instead opens the door on an entire chapter of American cinema that has previously been consigned to the shadows.
Despite having the most thoroughly explored of all the national canons, the narrative of American cinema has still almost wholly omitted entire subcultures and social strata- particularly in the silent and classic eras. This set helps us reshape the canon, to fix it. It allows us the opportunity to incorporate new information and perspectives into the mix and in doing so, rescue the efforts of so many talented early filmmakers and hone the telling of cinema’s journey from humble side-show through to the modern era.
…and I’d would genuinely love the opportunity to help with that 🙂
I feel as if this set would be interesting from both a historical and artistic standpoint, as I want to be a filmmaker, and studying from some of the masters of the field wold be an excellent experience! Also, the fact that these films are in such pristine shape warms my heart, and owning this set would be like owning a piece of cinematic (as well as American) history!
Women and minorities’ voices are too often marginalized or ignored all together in film history. Today the mainstream still rarely exposes viewers to other perspectives in film. It’s so wrong! I would love to see the works of African American filmmakers who were active since the early beginnings of the medium. Having seen virtually none of these films, winning this set would be a great way to start! Thanks for the opportunity to enter! (twitter is @pkirkr)
This: “Contemporary interviews with historians and film preservationists” For some timely perspective, I hope..
Great movies! I can’t wait to see them.
I am so intrigued by the various styles represented in this set! Plus you’ve got Paul Robeson’s film debut, a black Western, and so much more.
This collection intrigues me because we as a culture and as a country don’t know enough about these pioneers and their groundbreaking efforts. Also with the #OscarsSoWhite and other efforts to increase the visibility of filmmakers of color, this collection shows that there is a rich history of such filmmaking that needs to be acknowledged. It may spur more such aspiring talents to make films, write, act, produce, and crew on productions. Thank you!
Hi Aaron, I don’t see your tweet… Please remember to either tweet the qualifying message or comment back to me here letting me know that you don’t have a twitter account. Thanks!
Please check now, the tweet is there, I tried to post a screenshot here, not possible. Thanks!
Thanks. I don’t see it but don’t worry about it. I’m sure you tweeted it, and at some point it’ll show up in my newsfeed. You are officially entered. Thanks so much and Good Luck 🙂
I appreciate that. I really did tweet, though admittedly I’m not very good at it!
No worries at all, and sorry for any inconvenience… I want to keep things as easy as possible for everyone to enter. Thanks for your patience!
Thanks for your kindness and consideration!
Hi Aaron,
Congratulations! You are this week’s winner. I just sent you an email — if you don’t receive it, please let me know by commenting here.
Thanks!
I’ve always been inspired by the rich and diverse history of cinema. As an African-American and an aspiring filmmaker, I’ve been particularly intrigued by the history of Black cinema. While many cinephiles are familiar with many of the films that Black actors and directors have made in both the classic and modern eras of cinema, most (myself included) have not seen the so-called “race” films of early pioneers like Oscar Micheaux and others because they are so difficult to find.
I’m a fan of cinema history, and this period is one of the big question marks in my understanding of the silent and classic film eras. This collection represents an opportunity to appreciate and share these landmark visions and voices of cinema, African-American culture and American history.
African-American cinema is a sadly neglected part of American film history. I want to see the films and learn more about it!
Every time we unearth some hidden part of American cinema, it is always a cause for celebration. I am most intrigued by the earliest parts of this collection, the silent movies, from the very start of the art form.
Quite frankly it is the fact that I have a huge knowledge gap in my film education when it comes to African American cinema, that makes me most excited to try and win this awesome collection!
What is it about this historic collection that intrigues you most?
Seeing all of the films I watched in my African-American cinema class in a gorgeous remastered package!
I find that the very early African-American Westerns compare favorably with the “mainstream” productions of the era. I’m very interested in seeing more of the other genres.
I have always been a film and cinema fan and I have recently started going back and exploring the history of cinema and checking out old films. I saw this and it looked interesting and I would love to check these films out. I am @saintstailgater on twitter.
What is it about this historic collection that intrigues you most?
To me, this historic collection represents the “Holy Grail of Black Cinema”…
As an African American Screenwriter and Film Development Screener, I get so tired of people claiming that they can’t relate to Black films.
And every time, I state that African American films have been a staple to the film industry and the annals of cinema–from Hip Hoperas to Horror films– my colleagues always think I’m crazy for thinking so.
Historic collections like this one– not only prove that I was right to them… But, more importantly it proves that I’ve been right to myself.
Other people might see this as just a chance to win another DVD set.
But, I see this as a piece history that I could hopefully one day hand down to my two-year-old daughter.
Hi Ryan, I don’t see your tweet yet…. please either tweet the qualifying message or comment back here that you don’t have a twitter account so you can’t tweet. Then, you can be officially entered. Thanks!
Hi, Annmarie.
Thank you for your reply.
I didn’t even realize that my first message went through. Because, the page told me it experienced an error after I hit the post comment button.
So I just figured you never saw my post.
However, I did just do another one a few minutes ago that should be near the bottom of this page for another chance to win for the July 23rd, 2016 drawing.
Also, you can find my second requirement (my tweet) for the contest at https://twitter.com/Filmguy_Ryan
Thanks again for your reply.
Thanks so much for clarifying and for re-posting. I see your tweet and you are officially entered. Good Luck! 🙂
Thanks, Annmarie!
You are most welcome 🙂
i love learning about new things in topics i already enjoy.
I’ve mostly a fan of films from the 30’s and 40’s, everything from noir to western to screwball comedy, and African Americans were at best marginalized if not completely omitted from those films, with a few notable exceptions. Learning about the actors and directors while watching and sharing these films with others is a way to acknowledge their contribution to the art and give them, posthumously, the credit they deserve.
I think what intrigues me most is the compilation of movie clips and movies that can’t be seen or purchased anywhere else. I have never seen many of these clips and I collect movies on DVD all the time. Its a hobby of mine. I hope to win one.
Hi Rhonda, I don’t see your tweet for some reason. Could you please either tweet the qualifying message, or comment back here that you already tweeted or that you don’t have a twitter account. Thanks!
Despite being a fan of cinema including early works, I know virtually nothing about the films in this collection – and that’s why I’m so excited to check them out! (Though I kind of hope Larry Hartzell wins – his reason stands out as one of the best!) – @VforVashaw
Black cinema history is everyones history- s0 important and valuable. I would like to learn more about black cinema and the people that were apart of it.
The movies look amazing.
I am a movie buff, eclectic, especially enjoy rare early cinema; know I’d be entertained over and over again with this collection!
I would love to have this because it is Pioneers Of African-American Cinema. The name says it all! These movies are hard to find and were not advertised well if at all. Whoever wins is very lucky!
Would love to see curated Oscar Michaux films as opposed to low-Q random ventures on Internet Archive.
This collection is a wonderful time capsule that would provide great insight into the black experience as well as black cinema.
Well me being 34, I am intrigued by all years, genres, of films, TV, and all other entertainment. I feel these should be shared with everyone to sort of show how far we have come, and how much cinema has changed.
And back then they didn’t get the recognition they deserved. And the way they portrayed the African Americans, was so stereotypical! But back then it was ok. I would treasure this collection if I could be so lucky. Good luck everyone! 🙂
I have always known that African Americans contribution to films had to be more than
“Cabin in the Sky” , “Gone with the Wind” or Shirley Temple movies. To see this collection, this archival set (which I am sure is only the tip of the iceberg) is most heartening.
I’ve seen Herb Jeffries, Hattie McDaniels, Bill Robinson, Sidney Poitier and I’ve always wondered about the actors who came before them or the many actors who made films that were never seen and who never got the acknowledgement of those fortunate ones.
Now that “Pioneers of African American Cinema” has been compiled it would be fascinating to be able to see some of this unearthed films.
Thank you to Kickstarter and Kino Lorber for making this possible.
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Americans all know so little about African-American contributions to the film industry. Isn’t it time that we become privy to everything that has been basically shoved under the throw rug for ages?
I do. I want to know.
Really badly.
Want to know!
I am answering on behalf of James B who was unable to post: ‘To learn about movies i had heard about, but never had the chance to see.’
Hi!
I am interested in this collection because this is a topic I know little about. I think we do a great injustice in trying to spread the word about classic movies and those films and filmmakers who paved the way when we don’t know the entire story. PLUS, it sounds terrific!
Aurora
Once Upon a Screen
@CitizenScreen
This set is intriguing to the core. Primarily, the chance to finally experience these long-forgotten and even lost titles in newly restored HD versions is a valuable to any lover of cinema, or U.S. cultural history. Being able to compare what this “other Hollywood” was up to, and being able to compare its achievements and struggles with what the Hollywood we know so well was doing is an incredible opportunity. Thanks for the many who made this set happen!
I too am interested in this collection of films as a black classic movie lover and aspiring filmmaker. I want to see more of what Micheaux brought to the screen with his unique vision and to learn more about the contributions that are sadly not discussed enough. Not having enough black people in rich or varied roles during Hollywood’s early years also makes this collection vitally important. It’s invaluable for film lovers and historians alike and the chance to watch these films with accompanying commentary & insight is too great to pass up.
What intrigues me the most about this collection is the sheer breadth of classic shorts and films that is features from African American filmmakers. I have researched and studied the history of Black filmmakers/producers/screenwriters throughout the birth of cinema for years. As a Black film critic and avid lover of all things cinema, proper representation means the world to me as well as to other Black filmgoers. Knowing that African Americans were making films during the birth of cinema right alongside white filmmakers is beyond inspiring. It’s an uplifting, vital piece of history that needs to be taught to the masses. This collection of films in the right hands could do wonders for the history of African Americans and art for good!
What is it about this historic collection that intrigues you most?
I really hope that I win a copy of this historic collection. Because the thing that intrigues me most about this collection is–its a rare gem that I could add to my film library, study for the rest of my life, and use to teach other creatives along with college students.
I do not have a Twitter account, so I am posting here to enter but cannot tweet the message.
I am a total novice in this area and it would be great to get a solid first time education from such a quality production! Afterwards, I would share the experience and pass it on. Great giveaway!
Thanks so much for entering Sheila, and Good Luck 🙂
What interests me is a chance to see an unsung part of our cinematic history. I hope that this release will contribute to redressing the sad history of misrepresentation and underrepresentation of African Americans in movies. Thanks for the chance at winning.
While Hollywood and the era of classical cinema is my main focus, I’m also very interested in early (pre-Hollywood) filmmaking and excluded voices. How women were edged out of Hollywood when financing moved to Wall Street (this the closest to an explanation of what happened as I’ve yet seen) and then systematically excluded as soon as film history started to be written… how minority voices were able to use incredible tenacity and intelligence to make movies that told their stories to be seen in black theaters is an equally moving and compelling thread of history that I want to know as much as possible about. When MoMA screened the Bert Williams film they unearthed from their archive a couple of years ago it was so astonishing, after a lifetime of seeing great talents only depicted as servants and lackeys, to see all those gorgeous, glamorous actors onscreen, unhampered by having to hew to stereotypes (but with the added complexity of Williams in blackface). Anyway, for me it’s about secret histories and bringing them to light. This collection is obviously a treasure; I would be absolutely thrilled to add it to my collection and share it with friends and students.