A Natural Born Gambler (1916) - Bert Williams Silent Film
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21m
In 1915, the Biograph Company in an unprecedented move gave Bert Williams the authority to produce, write, direct, and star in two Biograph films, the "Natural Born Gambler" 1915, and "Fish" 1916, making him the first Black-American to have full control and produce his own films for a general audience.
Gambler borrows from Williams' Vaudeville skits. It makes heavy use of stereotypes, e.g., stealing, cheating, minstrel speak, mainly for the amusement of white audiences of the time. But Williams portrays a leadership role throughout, something unseen in black performances of that period.
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