Customer Reviews

Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, and Bucks: An Interpretive History of Blacks in American Films

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This is perhaps the GREATEST book accounting the plight of Blacks in film. I read this book for a class titled "Blacks in the Electronic Media" during undergrad. After reading this book and watching television, I honestly felt as if I were let out of the "Matrix." To this day, I can not watch television and not be critical of whats being aired. These charatcters are very visible today at this very moment. If you want a deep experience and to fully understand whats on the television and the movie screen, BUY THIS BOOK!

I use this book as a supplemental text for my classes in psychology. It is accessible reading, and carefully focussed. My students are able to use the stereotypes presented in the book to dissect how African Americans are portrayed in American film, historically and in the present.

this book is a must for all.never mind that folks try to say that tv or entertainment doesn't matter.that's b s. cuz the images of african-americans from the film world,sports world&music world have left a lasting impact.and lets be honest what other race of people have been emulated,influential&scorned all at once from a visual image? this book speaks volumes of african-american history from the silent film era to now.and though there has been progress we still have a long ways to go.cuz the title of the book is still very much alive in hollywood&america.preception that is hasn't gone away.it is still reflected in some folks mind of rap music.the use of put down terms among rappers&folk out on the streets is reflected heavily in this book.which is a sad commentary.but this book is survial and the costs that were made to pave the way for future generations.

This book is an excellent history lesson about African-Americans in feature films. Mr. Bogle explores the images that were put out in the past, and explains the social thoughts and attitudes that brought them about. The title refers mainly to the type of roles African-Americans had in films, esp. those that were produced in the 1920's, 1930's, 1940's and 1950's.

Have you ever seen Green Pastures, or Hallelujiah, or any of the other Studio made films of the Golden Age that feature all black casts?

I have.

Have you ever seen any of the Independent Films with all black casts made during the same period, but only seen in theatres catering to black audiences?

I have, sadly, not.

This book opened my eyes.

Forget the familiar actors of the 80's to the present day, even the great ones, this book will open your eyes to the rich heritage of black actors, and film, between 1955 and 1975, but more importantly it will reveal to you the complicated, yet glorious, world of these films, and actors, in the Golden Age of film.

If you belong to Netflix, or some other similar service then search out the films, and actors mentioned here if they are available and rent their films.

You will not be disappointed.

This book gives a good interpretation of African- Americans in film, as well as what it is and was like to not only be black in the filmworld, but black in America as well. It doesn't go heavily into the political, for those that are squrmish about such this, but it does examin both the onscreen performances and the offscreen realities. Overall, it is an intelligent book that is interesting to read.

Whew! This is not a book to be read in one sitting. This is 433 pages chock-full of the history of Black actors/actresses in film. From the humble beginnings of actor James B. Lowe in Uncle Tom's Cabin to the current mass appeal of Samuel L. Jackson and Morgan Freeman, Bogle takes us on an wonderfully detailed journey that chronicles the contributions of Black actors/actresses in film. Of course, Bogle's book includes those well-known films from the bygone era, but he also notes those little known films that featured Blacks playing roles that, in most instances, were the stereotypical tom and mammy, but allowed Blacks to at least get a foot in the door to make inroads to the current day Hollywood. After reading this, you'll likely want to hit up the nearest video store to pick-up some movies that you've never seen or seen before to determine whether you now view them in a different light.

With the well-deserved and timely wins of Halle Berry and Denzel Washington in their respective Oscar categories, those unfamiliar with past black actors need to pick up a copy of Bogle's well-researched and entertaining book.

I read it upon it initial printing and still find it to be an invaluable resource for those of us interested in ALL of moviemaking.

More than just a coffee-table book, the work is an insightful and fitting homage to the predecessors of the current crop of blacks in film.

Boy, what these old school thespians had to endure just to get a "piece of the pie". It's enough to make you cry.

Good resource guide that presents a historical analysis of the portrayal of African Americans in film. It provides a understanding how stereotypes are used to sell movies and how actors/actresses can be boxed into specific roles.

Needed it for an "African-American Film" course, and it does the trick! Relatively entertaining, though disturbing at the same time!