Oscar Micheaux Links

Oscar Micheaux was born in Metropolis, IL on January 22, 1884, and homesteaded in South Dakota.  Micheaux became an author, self-publishing and selling his books door to door.  He became a  filmmaker during the silent days of motion pictures and filmed one of his many movies in Gregory, SD.  Gregory holds a festival every August to commemorate his life and achievements.

Films by Oscar Micheaux:

The Homesteader - 1919
based on his book of the same name -  Micheaux Book and Film Co
Within Our Gates - 1919
Micheaux Book and Film Co
Symbol of the Unconquered - 1920
Micheaux Book and Film Co
Body and Soul - 1925
Featuring Paul Robeson in his first (dual!) role  Micheaux Book and Film Co
The Scar of Shame - 1926
(Colored Players Film Corp.)

Micheaux made films through the 1930s, but only a few survive.  Films featuring black casts, made by black movie houses, were only shown in black theaters, hence the name 'race films'.

Oscar Micheaux died on March 25, 1951 in Charlotte NC, and was buried in Great Bend, KS, where others of his family had homesteaded.