12/03/2023
"The Emperor Jones" (1933) is a drama film starring Paul Robeson, directed by Dudley Murphy, and written by DuBose Heyward, who based the film on the famous 1920 stageplay by Eugene O'Neill. Charles Gilpin was the play's original star, which gained him attention for his acting during the 20s. The film also stars Frank H. Wilson, Fredi Washington, Dudley Digges, and Ruby Elzy. Several additional actors in the movie didn't receive credit, such as a young Harold Nicholson and Moms Mabley. United Artists distributed the film, but unfortunately, it did not live up to the same success as the play. However, the film proved to be one of Robeson's most outstanding performances as he commands the screen throughout.
Directors: Dudley Murphy, William C. de Mille (uncredited)
Writers: Eugene O'Neill, DuBose Heyward
Starring Paul Robeson, Fredi Washington, Frank H. Wilson, Ruby Elzy, Dudley Digges, Moms Mabley, Harold Nicholas, George Haymid Stamper
Storyline
A black congregation prays for the wily and ambitious Brutus Jones (Paul Robeson), who is off to work on the railway. Jones is conscripted to a chain gang after killing a fellow gambler and escapes by clubbing a guard. On the run, he gets a job shoveling coal on a ship in the Caribbean and jumps off when they pass an island. When the natives capture him, his freedom is bought by a white trader (Dudley Digges). Jones tricks the tribe and becomes emperor but is outrun by his magic.
https://www.daarac.ngo
https://www.daaracarchive.org/2017/09/the-emperor-jones-1933.html
Available on DVD and streaming services.
