''Dark Manhattan'' is a black and white American film produced in 1937 by a partnership of African Americans
Ralph Cooper and
George Randol
George Randol (1895–1973) was an actor, screenwriter, director, and producer of films in the United States. In 1938 he was honored as an influential film executive in a newspaper writeup of the "Negro" film industry.
Randol was born in Buena V ...
.
Harry Fraser directed the film, which was written by Randol who was also the executive producer. The film was the only one made by Randol-Cooper Productions.
The film opens with a dedication to
R. B. Harrison,
Bert Williams
Bert Williams (November 12, 1874 – March 4, 1922) was a Bahamian-born American entertainer, one of the pre-eminent entertainers of the Vaudeville era and one of the most popular comedians for all audiences of his time. He is credited as being ...
, and
Florence Mills
Florence Mills (born Florence Winfrey; January 25, 1896 – November 1, 1927), billed as the "Queen of Happiness", was an American cabaret singer, dancer, and comedian.
Life and career
Florence Mills (Florence Winfrey) was born a daughter of for ...
"and all the pioneer Negro actors who by their many sacrifces paved the way for this presentation."
Music was by Ellison & Brooks (Ben Ellison and
Harvey O. Brooks). Ben Rinaldo was associate producer.
The film stars Cooper, and focuses on an up-and-coming youngster ruthlessly taking control of the numbers racket from the ailing former boss.
The film is discussed in the book ''Making a Promised Land''.
Cast
*
Ralph Cooper as Curly Thorpe
*
Cleo Herndon as Flo Gray
*
Clarence Brooks as Larry Lee
*
Jess Lee Brooks
Jess Lee Brooks (June 10, 1894 – December 13, 1944), also known as Jesse Brooks, was an American actor. He is perhaps most famous for playing the African-American church preacher in the critically acclaimed motion picture ''Sullivan's Travels'', ...
as Lieut. Ballot
*
Sam McDaniel as Jack Johnson
*
Corny Anderson as Atty. Brown
*
Rubeline Glover as Miss Hall
*
James Adamson as Lem
References
External links
* {{IMDb title, 0028768
1937 films
1937 crime drama films
American black-and-white films
American crime films
Race films
1930s English-language films
1930s American films