Hattie McDaniel’s Oscar win for Gone with the Wind (1939) is often seen at a starting point for Black representation in Hollywood. However the story goes much further back and involves many other talented actors and directors, as well as a painful history of racism and segregation. In this illustrated talk, curator and film historian Matthew Jarron will explore the early depictions of African Americans on film, with a particular focus on films from the 1920s and 30s that were made for Black audiences.
