Black in Period Films

We finally have the teaser trailer for the much anticipated western, The Harder They Fall!! From Netflix: When outlaw Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) discovers that his enemy Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) is being released from prison he rounds up his gang to track Rufus down and seek revenge. Those riding with him in this assured, righteously new school Western include his former love Stagecoach Mary (Zazie Beetz), his right and left hand men — hot-tempered Bill Pickett (Edi Gathegi) and fast drawing Jim Beckwourth (R.J. Cyler)—and a surprising adversary-turned-ally.  Rufus Buck has his own fearsome crew, including “Treacherous” Trudy Smith (Regina King) and Cherokee Bill (LaKeith Stanfield), and they are not a group that knows how to lose.  Directed by Jeymes Samuel, written by Samuel and Boaz Yakin, produced by Shawn Carter, James Lassiter, Lawrence Bender and Jeymes Samuel, and featuring a red hot soundtrack and a stunning all-star cast, including Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, Delroy...

                Harlem Rides the Range                1939  ‧  Western  ‧  56 mins Harlem Rides the Range has the typical 1930's Western fanfare. I first thought the main character's name was Harlem which I found quite hilarious. But once I began the move realized the character's name is actually Bob Blake. Which means the movie is most likely called Harlem Rides the Range because of its All-Black Cast. You get it ... Harlem ... All-Black cast ... Get it? The cast does a great job. Herbert Jeffrey (As Bob Blake) is credited as Hollywood's first singing black cowboy. He lives up to the title in this 56 minute film. His baritone voice, good looks and charisma makes him the perfect lead for a film of this kind. The surrounding cast fills in their respective roles perfectly. Lucius Brooks as Dusty the sidekick, Wade Dumas as the Dog City sheriff and Artie Young as Mis...

Zoe Kravitz is going to be the lead in a Western revenge thriller called 'Black Belle'! I am so excited because there are so many different equally interesting directions this film can be taken in. We do not get many Westerns and I am thrilled about all of the possibilities.   

Hannah's Law is the story of what would happen if Western legends ( Wyatt Earp , Isom Dart, Doc Holliday and Stagecoach Mary)  were all in Dodge City, Kansas at the same time to help Hannah in her quest for revenge.  Don't be confused, although Stagecoach Mary is mentioned in the IMDb summary she is in no way a character of her own. EVERYTHING Mary does is for Hannah. The same goes for an older Isom Dart.  Hannah's quest for revenge against the outlaws that killed her entire family is interesting. But I would have also enjoyed a western focusing on Stagecoach Mary (read up on her HERE ). Or Isom Dart (read up on him HERE ). From the beginning I had a feeling Mary would be the tough advice giving best black friend. I wasn't wrong. Mary (played by Kimberly Elise) is first seem in the TV film 11 minutes in giving Hannah a gift. A pretty blue dress that Mary wants Hannah to wear on a date with  Wyatt Earp. A good man ... the best man to ever live in ...

This blog was not made to bash or tear down films. So I'll keep this review short. If you want to view a historically accurate western with blacks in it, this film is NOT the one to watch. Nothing is accurate. If you want a well written and executed film, this is NOT the movie to watch. As bad as Gang of Roses is. Gang of Roses 2 is worse. But you never know. One of my viewers may end up liking this movie. A few pictures:

Let me preface this by saying the idea was a wonderful one. Five women in the Wild Wild West go on a quest for revenge. The premise behind most good  Westerns. It is just the execution and historical inaccuracies that I feel fail the movie.  I've made a list: Music doesn't not match the period. Hip-Hop and R&B can be heard through out the entire film. Many of the female characters are wearing bellytops Dialogue : "Now's let's all just chill out for one hot minute." Dialogue : "You feel me baby." Women are seen wearing makeup. Not makeup that fits the period either Dialogue : "Why it gotta be all dat?" Babyface gives Chasity a rhinstone necklace as a gift.  Microphone battery pack can be seen None of the main character's outfits are authentic to the period Many of the women can be seen wearing modern lingerie instead of corsets. The presence of long weaves in 1894 Lil' Kim...