Murder In Harlem

A young Black woman from the South comes to Harlem seeking a better life but becomes entangled in a web of crime and corruption. She finds herself accused of murder, and her only hope for justice lies in the hands of a determined lawyer.

Oscar Micheaux's 'Murder in Harlem' is a significant work within Black cinema of the 1930s, offering a melodrama that delves into the complexities of urban life, racial prejudice, and the justice system. While not widely distributed or reviewed by mainstream critics at the time, its survival and subsequent analysis highlight its importance as a product of independent Black filmmaking.

• Praised for its portrayal of urban Black life and its engagement with social issues.

• Recognized as an important piece of independent African American cinema from the pre-Civil Rights era.

• The narrative is often seen as melodramatic but effective in its time.

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The film features a rare on-screen appearance by renowned anthropologist and writer Zora Neale Hurston, who also contributed to the film's production.