Stars: Evelyn Preer, Flo Cloements, James D. Ruffin Director: Oscar Micheaux Runtime: 78 Minutes Language: English subtitles - Pipe organ music score Color: Black and White Format: DVD-R Rating: NR
Price: $14.95
Within Our Gates (1920)
Directed by Oscar Micheaux
Cast: Evelyn Preer ... Sylvia Landry Flo Clements ... Alma Prichard James D. Ruffin ... Conrad Drebert Jack Chenault ... Larry Prichard William Smith ... Detective Philip Gentry Charles D. Lucas ... Dr. V. Vivian Bernice Ladd ... Mrs. Geraldine Stratton Mrs. Evelyn ... Mrs. Elena Warwick William Stark ... Jasper Landry Mattie Edwards ... Jasper's Wife Ralph Johnson ... Philip Gridlestone E.G. Tatum ... Efram, Gridlestone's Servant Grant Edwards ... Emil Landry Grant Gorman ... Armand Gridlestone Leigh Whipper Jimmie Cook
It tells a story about the African-American race in the early 1900's. Even then it was recognized that education was the key for blacks to move ahead. However, getting the funds for schools was a different story. Unless the reverend can raise $5,000 to supplement the $1.49 per child per year that the state supplies, the school will be closed. Sylvia goes up north to try to raise the money and has little success, but meets kindly negro, Dr. V. Vivian, who helps her regain her stolen purse. When she saves a child from being hit by an auto, the owner of the car is philanthropist Mrs. Elena Warwick, who is sympathetic to her quest and promises to donate the $5,000 to the school. Her bigoted southern friend, Mrs. Stratton, tries to talk her out of thedonation, and Mrs. Warwick gets so incensed she raises the amount to $50,000. Her job done, Sylvia returns to Piney Woods.
