Spencer Williams

A nightclub owner's wife, jealous of his attentions to his star singer, schemes to get her fired.

Musical film with an all-black cast.

Hitchhiking conmen Bad News Johnson and July Jones arrive in Texas. A group of talented hopefuls vie for a coveted crown in a jitterbug contest.

A one-reel comedy short in which a rivalry between two men is played out in a high-stakes game of mini golf.

US Navy produced short stars Joel Fluellen as a draftee from his civilian job at a black newspaper through boot camp and an assignment in the Pacific. Completed after the surrender of Japan, the film celebrates the teamwork, diversity, and the actions of several distinguished African American sailors.

A seductive Harlem nightclub dancer arrives in the Caribbeans to perform. After two American military officers are enticed by her, a series of men soon find themselves attracted to her too.

Housewife Martha dies after her husband Razz's shotgun inadvertently discharges. The congregation gathers at her bedside to pray for her recovery, and during this period, an angel arrives to take Martha's spirit from her body, but she is tempted by the slick Judas Green, an agent for Satan.

Privacy Robson is a downtrodden husband who takes advice from his friend Florian Slappey. He eventually gets the upper hand after starting divorce proceedings, pretending to have a new girlfriend and refusing to eat anything she cooks him.

Cowboys Bob Blake and his sidekick Dusty ride across the countryside in search of adventure. They come across a ranch where it appears a murder has taken place but they find the victim still alive.

An exploration of The Amos 'n' Andy Show (1951), the first all-Black series on American television. It only lasted a few years before CBS succumbed to pressure from civil-rights groups, which claimed that it portrayed the Black community in a negative light. Clips–and one entire episode–are shown, as are interviews with several members of the original cast and prominent modern-day Black actors and comedians.

After inheriting a manor from a reclusive wealthy doctor, a newlywed couple is surprised to discover a tempestuous ape-man lurking in the cellar.

Aspiring small town singer Daisy Mae Walker travels to a big city in pursuit of showbusiness. A kindly cab driver and a troupe of down-and-out musicians at her hotel provide advice and support; but she falls prey to a sleazy nightclub owner who promises her stardom and makes her his 'kept woman'.

Actor, writer, director and activist Ossie Davis narrates this look at the history of race films, those produced from the 1920s-50s catered to a primarily Black audience.

Wrongfully accused of murder, a cowboy winds up in Harlem, where he assumes the identity of a preacher-turned-gangster who looks like him. He infiltrates the gang to catch the men who framed him.

A wandering cowboy helps the daughter of a former outlaw find the gold her father stole twenty years earlier and return it to its owners.

The owner of a juke joint arranges to frame an innocent preacher with a scandalous photograph, but his scheme backfires when his own adoptive mother interferes.

Bob Blake and his sidekick and four singing cowboys arrive at the Jackson ranch where Bob learns from Betty Jackson that her brother, Joe, is missing. Bob investigates and learns that there is gold on the Jackson ranch, and the neighboring rancher has kidnapped Joe in order to get his land.

An uncle discusses the life of Martin de Porres with his niece. de Porres was a late sixteenth-century Peruvian who was elevated to sainthood in 1962 by Pope John XXIII.

After losing their parents in a flood at a young age, two brothers grow up to become a police officer and a lawyer, working alongside a local newspaper owner to help rid the city of bootlegging gangsters.

A Memphis street sweeper comes upon a large parcel of money, which he uses to embark on a spending spree in hopes of getting back at an old girlfriend who dumped him for another. However, complications arise when it's discovered the money is counterfeit.

Johnny Fraser leaves his mother in their small hometown and sets out for the big city, where he obtains a job with a large firm of architects. Colleague Steve Carson is constantly flaunting his racetrack winnings. Johnny also bets the races, but loses heavily and takes some of the firm's money to cover his losses.

In Harlem, Bud Peagler's "Barbecue Lunch and Poolroom" (the home of Brunswick Stew), also serves as the meeting place and hangout for many citizens and organizations such as 'The Sons and Daughters of The I Will Arise Society," and also Mosby's Blues Blowers. It is also where Roscoe Driggers hangs out. Roscoe claims to be the world's champion cornet player, although he can't play a note, even a sour one. But when the chance to earn $500 for playing his cornet at the big concert held by the "Over the River Burying Society" arises, Roscoe signs up. Roscoe needs $500 in order to buy a beauty shop for his manicurist-fiancée, Zenia Sprowl. Roscoe makes plans for his buddy Sam Ginn, who can play a cornet, to hide under the stage and play while Roscoe fakes it on the stage. But Sam gets taken out by some dudes who have a bone to pick with Roscoe. No sweat, though, as another of Roscoe's musician friends, Willie Trout, sees this and takes Sam's place under the stage....with his saxophone.