Midnight Ramble is a 1994 documentary about the early history of Black American movies from the period between 1910 and 1950. Known as "race movies", these films, traditionally independent of Hollywood, were made primarily by, for and about the black community. This documentary is a tribute to a film genre that lasted for more than 40 years, produced over 500 movies, and created a foundation for contemporary films from directors such as Spike Lee and Tyler Perry. James Avery narrates this exploration of the early black film industry. There is a mistaken assumption that "race films" began largely in reaction to D. W. Griffith's 1915 The Birth of a Nation. Nothing could be further from the truth. Race movies actually began around 1910 in Chicago in response to the Black Community longing to see themselves reflected on the silver screen via this new medium of film. Wanting to see themselves through their own eyes, on their own terms, thus counteracting the Hollywood stereotypes within the American media. The film focuses especially on the work of Oscar Micheaux, considered the "Dean of Black American film", a controversial filmmaker who wrote, produced, and directed over 40 features, and tackled difficult social issues in Black America. It includes clips from films by a number of African-American directors of the period, which is very helpful since many of these films are difficult to find or unavailable. There are two versions of the title of the documentary, both referring to the same work. Initially released in 1994 as, Midnight Ramble: Oscar Micheaux & the Story of Race Movies. It was re-released as Midnight Ramble: The Story of the Black Film Industry by PBS in 1995. The 1995 version also eliminates the David McCullough introduction. From the early days of American film, roles for blacks in mainstream, white-produced films were either demeaning or unimportant; below the line, blacks just didn’t participate. But around 1910, enterprising black producers began making films with all-black casts, writers, directors and producers. Chicago, which had become a refuge for blacks leaving the Deep South, became the Hollywood of race pictures, as they were called, and the documentary offers footage from the silent era. The race pictures were hugely popular. But all over the U.S., blacks were restricted to special areas in theaters — often the balcony — or to a special showing time, i.e., the midnight ramble. Then blacks-only houses sprang up, theaters around the U.S. where colored people could enjoy race pictures anytime they wanted to. By 1920, more than 30 race-picture companies, formed by blacks and some whites , were entertaining black audiences, who were lining up to see themselves portrayed from the black point of view. As host David McCullough observes, blacks knew more about whites than whites knew about blacks. We do not own the rights to any of this film. This film is being used for historical and educational purposes only. No copyright infringement intended. Black Excellence:
