Movie spotlight
Lime Kiln Club Field Day
Modeled after a popular collection of stories known as "Brother Gardener's Lime Kiln Club," the plot features three suitors vying to win the hand of the local beauty. Filmed in 1913, but after considerable footage was shot, the film was abandoned. One hundred years later, the seven reels of untitled and unassembled footage were discovered in the film vaults of the Museum of Modern Art, and are now believed to constitute the earliest surviving feature film starring black actors.
Insights
Plot Summary
This short silent film depicts a gathering of the Lime Kiln Club, an African American social organization, for a field day event. The film captures various activities and comedic situations that arise during their outing, showcasing the community's social life and leisure pursuits in the early 20th century. It offers a glimpse into the everyday experiences and entertainment of Black Americans during that era.
Critical Reception
As a rediscovered silent film from 1913, "Lime Kiln Club Field Day" is historically significant for its early portrayal of African American life and culture on screen. While specific contemporary reviews are scarce due to its long period of obscurity, its re-emergence has been met with interest from film historians and preservationists who value its contribution to understanding early Black cinema and representation.
What Reviewers Say
Historically significant as an early depiction of African American life.
Offers a rare glimpse into early 20th-century Black community gatherings.
Valuable for film historians studying the evolution of Black representation in cinema.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews is not available for this historical silent film.
Fun Fact
The original film was considered lost for nearly a century until a print was discovered in an attic in Norway in 2004, making its preservation and re-release a significant event for film history.
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