Summaries

An unscrupulous minister starts a 'back to Africa' movement.

Fiery preacher Charcoal Johnson, though no model of sanctity, gains control of a Mississippi Baptist church through personal magnetism; he uses this springboard to organize a 'Back to Africa' movement among his fellow afro-Americans, along the lines of evangelical religion. Weathering accusations of swindling, he emerges as the self-styled (future) Emperor of the United States of Africa. But his tin-plated pomp is threatened by greed, personalities, and practicalities...—Rod Crawford <[email protected]>

The film is based on the career of Marcus Garvey, who organized a Back-to- Africa movement among blacks in the United States, and is not an "All-Black-Cast" film, as there are white actors, including the director/producer Bud Pollard, playing some minor, uncredited roles. Deacon "Charcoal" Johnson is heading a Back-to-Africa group and raising funds (to his pockets, mostly) all the way from Logan, Mississippi to New York City's Harlem, where a procession of Johnson's followers and elite troops parade to the music of Victor Herbert's "March of the Wooden Soldiers."—Les Adams <[email protected]>

Details

Keywords
  • police officer
  • religion
  • black cast
  • baptist church
  • reference to marcus garvey
Genres
  • Comedy
  • Drama
  • Music
Release date Jul 8, 1932
Countries of origin United States
Language English
Filming locations Metropolitan Studios, Fort Lee, New Jersey, USA
Production companies Southland Pictures

Box office

Tech specs

Runtime 1h 12m
Color Black and White
Aspect ratio 1.37 : 1

Synopsis

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