Synopses & Reviews
From the earliest years of sound film in America, Hollywood studios and independent producers of "race films" for black audiences created stories featuring African American religious practices. In the first book to examine how the movies constructed images of African American religion, Judith Weisenfeld explores these cinematic representations and how they reflected and contributed to complicated discourses about race, the social and moral requirements of American citizenship, and the very nature of American identity.
Drawing on such textual sources as studio production files, censorship records, and discussions and debates about religion and film in the black press, as well as providing close readings of films, this richly illustrated and meticulously researched book brings religious studies and film history together in innovative ways.
Review
and#8220;An illuminating study of the history of race and film in America.and#8221;
Review
“An illuminating study of the history of race and film in America.” Kathy L. Glass
Synopsis
"This is a ground-breaking book. The text is remarkable in its use of MPAA files and studio archives; Weisenfeld uncovers all sorts of side stories that enrich the larger narrative. The writing is clear and concise, and Weisenfeld makes important theoretical interpretations without indulging in difficult jargon. She incorporates both film theory and race theory in graceful, non-obtrusive ways that deepen understanding. This is an outstanding work."and#151;Colleen McDannell, author of Picturing Faith: Photography and the Great Depression
About the Author
Judith Weisenfeld is Professor of Religion at Princeton University. She is the author of African American Women and Christian Activism: New Yorkand#8217;s Black YWCA, 1905-1945 and the coeditor of This Far By Faith: Readings in African American Womenand#8217;s Religious Biography.
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. and#147;and#8217;Taint What You Was, Itand#8217;s What You Is Todayand#8221;: Hallelujah and the Politics of Racial Authenticity
2. and#147;and#145;De Lawdand#8217; a Natchel Manand#8221;: The Green Pastures in the American Cultural Imagination
3. and#147;A Mighty Epic of Modern Moralsand#8221;: Black-Audience Religious Films
4. and#147;Saturday Sinners and Sunday Saintsand#8221;: Urban Commercial Culture and the Reconstruction of Black Religious Leadership
5. and#147;A Long, Long Wayand#8221;: Religion and African American Wartime Morale
6. and#147;Why Didnand#8217;t They Tell Me Iand#8217;m a Negro?and#8221;: Lost Boundaries and the Moral Landscape of Race
Conclusion
Filmography
Notes
Select Bibliography
Index