~All God’s Chillun
Got Wings~
(Eugene O’Neill, Provincetown Players, 1924)
This play is characterized
by a tragic interracial marriage. Jim Harris, an aspiring black law
student, rescues Ella Downey, a young white woman who was his playmate,
from life on the streets. They marry, but Ella’s prejudice poisons
her feelings for Jim and she goes mad. Jim is faithful to the bitter
end and refuses to leave her.
~The Emperor Jones~
(O’Neill, Provincetown Players, play 1924) (film, 1933)
Brutus Jones,
a Pullman porter, becomes a self proclaimed emperor of a small Caribbean
island after getting into trouble in the US and escaping from prison
by killing a brutal guard. He is the victim of a rebellious subject
who infects revenge on him for misrule.
Listen
to a Recording of "Water Boy" - The Plays Theme Song
~Sanders of the River -
1935 film~
British commissioner
R.G. Sanders (Leslie Banks) rules an African tribe with an outward
degree of benevolence. On his way home to England to get married,
Sanders gets word that not only has his replacement been murdered,
but Sanders is also rumored to be dead, news which has incited tribal
uprisings throughout the territory. The only person remaining loyal
to the English is a man named Bosambo (Paul Robeson), who works with
Sanders to quell the rebellion. Robson's performance remains the real
attraction of this curious period piece which defends British imperialism.
Also known as: Bosambo.
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