ROUTES’ ROOTS — Oscar Micheaux, Filmaker | 1980-1-18
Black themes on the wide screen had their origins long before Hollywood producers discovered their market value. In fact, black film producers were around when the first silent pictures revolutionized American entertainment. Foremost among the black pioneer filmmakers was Oscar Micheaux, whose over 30 films were both ridiculed and imitated by the establishment.
Early Life and Career of Oscar Micheaux
Although his past remained a mystery for many years, today we know that he was born near Metropolis, Illinois in 1884 to former slaves. As a young man, Oscar Micheaux worked as a Pullman porter, traveling from the Midwest to the Pacific Coast. Later, he became a homesteader in South Dakota but eventually lost his land and blamed his then-father-in-law, a minister who later became a character figure in his writings.
Transition to Writing and Film
Micheaux then turned to writing and became popular for his pulp novels, which he sold, through his shrewd marketing skills, in black communities around the country. He became known as a hustler of consummate skill. Micheaux’s growing reputation among blacks brought his 1917 autobiographical novel The Homesteader to the attention of the Lincoln Company, one of the earliest black-owned film production companies.
Independent Film Production
The aspiring film producer attempted to raise enough money to produce The Homesteader himself. Oscar Micheaux talked Midwestern farmers into buying a piece of his yet nonexistent film company at $75 a share. Despite his lack of experience, the film was ready by 1919. It cost a mere $15,000 — a low budget even by early 20th century standards. Micheaux faced numerous challenges, including resistance from established film distribution networks.
Challenges in Film Distribution
Independent filmmakers, particularly black ones, struggled to get their films widely distributed. Micheaux aligned with Frank Schiffman, the white manager of the Apollo Theatre, and secured bookings with T. O. B. A., the network of black theaters later nicknamed the Chitlin Circuit. In the South, Micheaux was often only able to get special midnight bookings frequented by curious white patrons.
Artistic and Financial Struggles
Artistically, Micheaux’s films often suffered due to shoestring budgets and rented equipment. Despite these limitations, Micheaux produced many successful films, such as Body and Soul [1924], featuring the great Paul Robeson. However, financial success eluded him, as he was often denied a fair share of the profits.
Criticism and Legacy
While some of Micheaux’s films held appeal for black audiences, many of his works mirrored white styles or early blaxploitation movies. With the advent of talkies, Hollywood’s superior technology overshadowed Micheaux’s pioneering efforts. Prominent black critics and writers, such as Alain Locke and Sterling A. Brown, often looked to Hollywood for compelling portrayals of black life, further marginalizing independent black filmmakers.
Decline and Influence
Black audience attendance at films produced by blacks dwindled leading up to and during World War II. Micheaux lacked the energy for his promotional tours, and Betrayal [1948] failed. Despite this, the changing social landscape planted the seeds for future black cinema icons, such as Sidney Poitier, who would represent the quest for equality and excellence.
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See a list of all archived ROUTES editions
- ROUTES’ ROOTS — Oscar Micheaux, Filmaker | 1980-1-18 - January 25, 2025
- ROUTES’ Roots: Otis Redding | 5/1980 - November 7, 2024
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