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The Darktown Revue

1931·18 min·US
Director: Oscar Micheaux
ComedyMusic
Pioneers: Oscar Micheaux

With a series of long takes and frontal camera set-ups, Michaeux provides a record of several cabaret acts, using intertitles to separate the individual numbers. This quietly outrageous film begins with the high-toned Heywood Choir singing "Watermelon time" and concludes with Amon David playing a preacher using heavy blackface. Amon Davus was known as "the Back Biting Comedian, Par Excellence", and his sermon is one of Michaeux's many notable send-ups of the clergy.

With a series of long takes and frontal camera set-ups, Michaeux provides a record of several cabaret acts, using intertitles to separate the individual numbers. This quietly outrageous film begins with the high-toned Heywood Choir singing "Watermelon time" and concludes with Amon David playing a preacher using heavy blackface. Amon Davus was known as "the Back Biting Comedian, Par Excellence", and his sermon is one of Michaeux's many notable send-ups of the clergy.

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Where to Watch

Watch on Criterion Channel

Cast

Amon Davis

Amon Davis

Celeste Cole

Celeste Cole

Donald Heywood

Donald Heywood

Sara Martin

Sara Martin

Tim Moore

Tim Moore

Andrew Tribble

Andrew Tribble

Crew

Lester Lang

cinematographer

Oscar Micheaux

writer

Walter Strenge

cinematographer

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