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The Big Heat
(1953)
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Edward Murrain
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Columbia Pictures has brought a truly big league story to the screen, with some of the most creditable casting we've ever seen... The Big Heat is a "sleeper" in every sense of the word. Don't miss It!
Posted Apr 11, 2024
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Diabolique
(1955)
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Edward Murrain
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Take it from me, Diabolique is one of the most unusual films ever to hit the screen, and producer-director Henri-Georges Clouzot the first to seriously challenge Alfred Hitchcock's title as "master of suspense."
Posted Jan 31, 2023
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Spirit of Youth
(1937)
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William E. Clark
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Joe is listed as the star but the burden of the acting falls on the professionals -- Clarence Muse, Cleo Desmond and Mantan Moreland... [Louis] may develop some histrionic talent but in this picture at least he hasn't displayed any whatever.
Posted Jan 31, 2023
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Dark Manhattan
(1937)
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Alfred A. Duckett
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To Dark Manhattan, its producers, its cast and all those connected with its conception much credit is due.
Posted Jan 27, 2022
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Porgy and Bess
(1959)
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Raoul Abdul
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I shall never forget how deeply moved I was in a stage version when... Porgy left Catfish Row to find his Bess in far off New York. In this costly new film, at that tragic moment I only thought of what a beautiful shot the cameraman had achieved.
Posted Jan 20, 2022
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Porgy and Bess
(1959)
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Clyde Reid
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One good thing about the production is that lots of our younger starlets and budding male stars got a chance to "spread their wings and strut their stuff" before a major audience. They may now get a shot at bigger and better roles.
Posted Jan 20, 2022
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Pinky
(1949)
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Bill Chase
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It is definitely good entertainment and intelligently adult... There is a minimum of preaching and propaganda.
Posted Nov 18, 2021
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No Way Out
(1950)
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Jesse H. Walker
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Darryl F. Zanuck is to be congratulated for his intentions in making such a movie although his methods do leave something to be desired.
Posted Sep 07, 2021
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Knock on Any Door
(1949)
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Jesse H. Walker
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Although the screenwriters of the best-selling novel take the usual and sometimes puzzling Hollywood liberties in interpreting an author's work for the screen, the movie retains Motley's searching and biting theme.
Posted Sep 07, 2021
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Harlem After Midnight
(1934)
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Vere E. Johns
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One could not really call it good continuity, but somehow it [comes] together well enough to hold the interest and moves along at pretty fast clip.
Posted Aug 19, 2021
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Life Begins
(1932)
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Vere E. Johns
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It has human interest plus and has something definite to say to every man and woman who sees it.
Posted Jul 21, 2021
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The Man on the Flying Trapeze
(1935)
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William E. Clark
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[The Man on the Flying Trapeze] will convince the most skeptical of the universal appeal of the Field's humor.
Posted Jul 13, 2021
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Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
(1953)
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Edward Murrain
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You must see it!
Posted Jul 13, 2021
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The Well
(1951)
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Edward Murrain
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You'll plummet down into a myriad of faith, pride, anger and victory in The Well.
Posted Jul 13, 2021
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Miracle in Harlem
(1948)
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Abe Hill
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Adultly conceived and skillfully executed, [Miracle in Harlem] is embellished with solid structure, intelligent dialogue, plausible plot, sensible acting and fortified by excellent direction.
Posted Jul 13, 2021
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Demetrius and the Gladiators
(1954)
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Edward Murrain
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CinemaScope as an entertainment media reaches a new dimension in Demetrius and the Gladiators... [it's] the finest action story yet filmed in the new process, and the realization of the promise shown by actor William Marshall.
Posted Jul 08, 2021
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The President's Lady
(1953)
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Edward Murrain
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The acting plum is really carried by Ruth Attaway [who] is rewarding in her first film vehicle.
Posted Jul 08, 2021
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Indiscretion of an American Wife
(1953)
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Edward Murrain
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The story line isn't original, but Truman Capote's dialogue and the make believing of Jennifer and Clift makes Indiscretion a winner.
Posted Jul 07, 2021
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The Quiet One
(1949)
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Abe Hill
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One nine-year-old youngster by the name of Donald Thompson has achieved an acting feat that is somewhat amazing in sort of a minor key.
Posted Jul 07, 2021
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The Symbol of the Unconquered
(1920)
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NY Age Staff
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The photography of The Symbol of the Unconquered compares favorably with screen successes put out by leading producers and interest is sustained throughout the eight reels.
Posted Jul 01, 2021
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From Harlem to The Rhine
(1920)
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Lester A. Walton
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The triumphal march into Germany, "Jim" Europe's band entertaining civilians of Teutonic extraction, the return of the "Hell Fighters" to New York and the historic march up Fifth Avenue and through Harlem were other scenes which stirred the big audience.
Posted Jun 02, 2021
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Imitation of Life
(1934)
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Vere E. Johns
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A racial problem is handled in a very frank and convincing manner.
Posted Jan 30, 2021
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The Defiant Ones
(1958)
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NY Age Staff
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Without the racial angle, this would be an exciting and thrilling picture. Add the message that all men are brothers and you have a movie masterpiece.
Posted Jan 28, 2021
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Stormy Weather
(1943)
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NY Age Staff
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The Nicholas Brothers outdo themselves in a breath-taking number.
Posted Jan 28, 2021
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The Colored American Winning His Suit
(1916)
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Lucien H. White
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[The cast is] deserving of special comment but the greater importance of the play as an embodiment of the ideals set forth by the company [make] it necessary to give less space to individual accomplishment so that more can be said about the play itself.
Posted Jan 27, 2021
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Reform School
(1939)
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Alfred A. Duckett
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No, it's not a new story. But the story is only incidental to the innate, uncanny beauty which Louise Beavers brings to her interpretation.
Posted Jan 26, 2021
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Moon Over Harlem
(1939)
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Ebenezer Ray
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With but few, and very few, exceptions the actors are a limp, amateurish group, who speak dialogue in stilted up-tones, like a child reciting for the teacher.
Posted Jan 26, 2021
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The Bar Sinister
(1917)
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Lester A. Walton
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The Bar Sinister is as welcome as the flowers in May after such vicious photo plays as The Birth of a Nation.
Posted Jan 25, 2021
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The Scapegoat
(1917)
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Lester A. Walton
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The members of this company deserve great credit and encouragement for the perseverance manifested in their struggle to produce a photo play worthy of serious consideration and commendation.
Posted Jan 15, 2021
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The Brute
(1920)
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Lester A. Walton
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There is much to commend in Oscar Micheaux's latest photo play. It is a very creditable endeavor in many respects.
Posted Jan 15, 2021
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Gangsters on the Loose
(1937)
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Alfred A. Duckett
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Of course in the end, love and honor win out. This is to be expected. But it is a grand picture, nobly acted and well presented.
Posted Jan 15, 2021
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Life Goes On
(1938)
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Ebenezer Ray
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We find pleasure in expressing our one-hundred percent approval of Life Goes On.
Posted Jan 15, 2021
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Black King
(1932)
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Vere E. Johns
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The photography, recording and staging of the picture is splendid. It is a pity that the story and the acting was not even half as good.
Posted Jan 07, 2021
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Carmen Jones
(1954)
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Edward Murrain
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Carmen Jones has its obvious faults -- but it also has Dorothy Dandridge. Who's going to complain about that?
Posted Dec 10, 2020
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The Green Pastures
(1936)
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Ruth A. Duckett
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Weren't the children of the Sunday school scene adorable? Weren't the Spirituals inspiring? And above all wasn't Rex Ingram -- divine?
Posted Dec 10, 2020
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St. Louis Blues
(1958)
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Jesse L. DeVore
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Leaving the theatre, we reflected on an obviously Hollywood tampered story, crammed full of talents that overshadowed each other to climax in a hazy overcast jetted with sparks of laughter and rays of delightful -- evening-saving, songs.
Posted Dec 09, 2020
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Harlem on the Prairie
(1937)
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William E. Clark
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The photography and settings are above the average and the team of Miller and Mantan get the honors for acting.
Posted Dec 09, 2020
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The Emperor Jones
(1933)
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Vere E. Johns
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Both the photography sound are excellent and the direction by Dudley Murphy is well done.
Posted Dec 02, 2020
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The Duke Is Tops
(1938)
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Romeo L. Dougherty
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A very entertaining little vehicle for the talents of Ralph Cooper.
Posted Dec 02, 2020
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The Exile
(1931)
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William E. Clark
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While it has many obvious faults, it is by far the best picture Mr. Micheaux ever turned out. It has a fairly good plot, continuity and is genuinely entertaining in spots.
Posted Dec 02, 2020
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Home of the Brave
(1949)
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Bill Chase
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It's the picture America has long needed.
Posted Dec 01, 2020
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