The Life and Work of Oscar Micheaux: Pioneer Black Author and Filmmaker [Paperback]

Earl James, Jr. Young (Author), Beverly J. Robinson (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 14, 2003

Over a three-decade period that began in 1919, Oscar Micheaux wrote, directed, edited, produced and distributed over forty films nationally and internationally. These films usually featured all-Black casts. They spanned a silent film period (1919-1930)and a talkie period (sound films) (1931-1948). Given such a background and the period in American history into which he was born, Micheaux's achievements were extraordinary and his legacy is a study of survival, persistence, and bold determination to develop a new era in Black films. The book features a commentary by actor/producer Ossie Davis and has review copy (on the back cover) by Dr. Maya Angelou and Dr. Henry T. Sampson. This book was edited by the late Dr. Beverly J. Robinson, who was Professor at the School of Theater, Film and Television at UCLA for nearly 25 years.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I expect this published volume to be a very valuable contribution to the history of an African American filmmaker." -- Dr. Henry T. Sampson, Scientist, Writer, Black Film Historian

"If Oscar could do it, what reasons have the rest of us to fail?" -- Ossie Davis, Actor, Writer, Producer, Director

"Movie lovers, movie makers, and even some movie critics will fall for this book." -- Dr. Maya Angelou

From the Publisher

Over a three-decade period that began in 1919, Oscar Micheaux wrote, directed, edited, produced and distributed over forty films nationally and internationally. These films usually featured all-Black casts. They spanned a silent film period (1919-1930)and a talkie period (sound films) (1931-1948). Given such a background and the period in American history into which he was born, Micheaux's achievements were extraordinary and his legacy is a study of survival, persistence, and bold determination to develop a new era in Black films. The book features a commentary by actor/producer Ossie Davis and has review copy (on the back cover) by Dr. Maya Angelou and Dr. Henry T. Sampson. This book was edited by the late Dr. Beverly J. Robinson, who was Professor at the School of Theater, Film and Television at UCLA for nearly 25 years.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: KMT Publications (March 14, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963564579
• ISBN-13: 978-0963564573
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,753,725 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Life and Work of Oscar Micheaux: Pioneer Black Author an, May 4, 2003

By 

Laurence C. Washington (Denver, Colorado USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Life and Work of Oscar Micheaux: Pioneer Black Author and Filmmaker (Paperback)

Decades before film directors Spike Lee, John Singleton or even Gordon Parks showed audiences that blacks can be more than just cut-out characters and racial punch lines, visionary film director Oscar Micheaux had made movies featuring African-American cowboys, adventurers, detectives and millionaires --- more than 70 years ago.

"The Life and Work of Oscar Micheaux" became the subject of late author Earl James Young's graduate thesis because he was an admirer of Micheaux's pioneer spirit. Micheaux was the first filmmaker to offer his audience a range and diversity of African-Americans in film. Micheaux became a controversial figure raising the ire of blacks as well as whites for filming what he wanted, not what others felt he should.

Micheaux fought an uphill battle to get his films shown. White distributors would not market films by blacks, so Micheaux was only allowed to show his films at African-American theaters. In addition, Hollywood jumped on the African-American band wagon and created African-American films superior in quality to Micheaux's and other Indy filmmakers. Micheaux stayed with it but struggled until his death in 1951.

Young dedicated his research to Micheaux life, because he understood the pain of having a gift, but lacking the opportunity to give one's all to a career. However, Young died in 1993 of a brain tumor before publishing his thesis into a book.

With the permission of Young's family, Dr. Beverly J. Robinson has edited Young's thesis into a compelling and essential book for up and coming filmmakers and movie buffs about Micheaux's 40 plus films which made him hero to some and a victim to others. "The Life and Work of Oscar Micheaux" includes a complete filmography of Micheaux's films and bios of the actors who appeared in Micheaux's films --- some such as William Fountaine and Evelyn Preer who went onto star in Hollywood productions.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A prominent and influential Black American filmmaker, July 30, 2003

By 

Denise Turney, author of "Portia, Love H... (Bensalem, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Life and Work of Oscar Micheaux: Pioneer Black Author and Filmmaker (Paperback)

Even with my interest and vast reading of pioneers in the arts, I was surprised by what I found when I read The Life and Work of Oscar Micheaux. The book (non-fiction) about one of the leading Black American pioneers in the filmmaking industry, starts with a commentary from renowned actor Ossie Davis. After reading the commentary, I settled in for an unexpectedly revealing and unforgettable read. I had no prior knowledge of Oscar Michaeux. The book starts out during what was often referred to as America's "Darkest Period", the years just after the Civil War.

Oscar Micheaux was born January 2, 1884. He was the son of former slaves, a couple who had twelve other children besides Oscar. Not much is written about Oscar's childhood. The book focuses on Oscar's young adult years, when he began to bud into a talented movie producer, and the remainder of Oscar's professional career in the arts. The Life and Work of Oscar Micheaux is well researched. Memos, promotional write-ups and other correspondence between Oscar, business partners and the media are found throughout the book. It is obvious that both the author of the book, Earl James Young, Jr., and the book's editor, Dr. Beverly Robinson, did their homework when compiling the facts and other pertinent data found in The Life and Work of Oscar Micheaux.

The Life and Work of Oscar Micheaux is a biography written in a style and with an intent unlike many of today's celebrity biographies. Except for mention of Oscar's relationship with his father-in-law, the book sticks to the facts. It does not give weight to rumor or assumption. Laymen and students of the theatre alike will gain valuable knowledge from reading The Life and Work of Oscar Micheaux. Readers will learn about this pioneer in the arts whose work speaks for itself. Oscar began his career at a time with silent films were in vogue. He was one of the most prominent and influential Black American filmmakers of his day. He worked with legendary actor Paul Robeson and created his films with all Black casts, one of the only filmmakers to do so at the turn of the 21st century. His films were so well received despite effective efforts to limit the distribution channels for his films, his movies were popular with the public and allowed Oscar's company, Michaeux Film Corporation, to be successful for several years, this at a time when race riots and discrimination were blatant and rampant.

Anyone wishing to know more about the beginnings of Black Americans in the film industry, should read The Life and Work of Oscar Micheaux. As the book states in closing, "This work on Oscar Micheaux is but a first step upon which, it is hoped, other scholars may build the path to a fair place for Micheaux in the history of American films, and African Americans. This much he is due." I agree.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ahead of His Times, June 7, 2003

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Life and Work of Oscar Micheaux: Pioneer Black Author and Filmmaker (Paperback)

Oscar Micheaux was born in 1884 and from childhood seemed to be driven to be different. Throughout his life he wore many professional hats; he was a successful farmer and author. But perhaps his most well known accomplishments were as a filmmaker. There is a fair amount of misinformation about Micheaux which this book clarifies and corrects. For example, he was not the first Black filmmaker; however, he was one of the most prolific Black filmmakers of his time with an impressive number of silent films and quite a few sound films. He was able to accomplish this in spite of a national recession and eventual depression, harsh and uncooperative censor boards, limited venues in which he as a Black filmmaker could show his films, financial hardship, and harsh criticism. Still Micheaux's innovative promotion skills, coupled with his tireless efforts helped him survive and continue producing films.

The most fascinating aspect of this book was the fact that many of the issues being faced by Micheaux and other filmmakers during his time are quite similar to those of filmmakers today. Debates about how it is the responsibility of African American filmmakers to produce quality work depicting African Americans only in their most positive light were perhaps more heated in the 1920's than they are today. This heated debate was a particular issue to Micheaux because much of his work included controversial themes and not so positive images of African Americans. While the masses of African Americans seemed to enjoy and support his work and the themes he discussed, the critics and intellectuals of his day often took issue with it.

This book paints a historical overview of the times in which Micheaux lived as well as broad overview of his life and accomplishments. For the most part, this book was an easy read packed with lots of information, but there were times when some of the technical jargon was difficult for a person who has not studied film to understand. Still I highly recommend this book for anyone that would like to learn more about a pioneer in Black film.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers