As the World Rolls On explained

As the World Rolls On, also known by its working title The Heart of Jack Johnson,^[1] is a 1921 drama film starring Jack Johnson.^[2] It was an Andlauer Productions film.^{[3] [4]} It was advertised as featuring an "All-Star Colored Cast". The film features footage of National Negro League baseball games.^[5] It is a 7-reel film.^[6]

The storyline of the film features Johnson teaching physical fitness to a weak man and an attempt to frame someone for a crime.^[7] Newspaper publisher Nelson Crews has a cameo in the film.^[1] Filming was done in Kansas City, Missouri where the Andlauer production company was based, as well as St. Joseph, Missouri and Topeka.^[1]

Production

The film was made by William Anthony Andlauer. He was a theater owner, photographer, and cinematographer.^[8]

Historical significance

Up until 2013—when a film clip from 1919 was found in storage at a Georgia plantation—As the World Rolls On was the earliest known film to show African-American baseball players, containing "footage of an all-black Kansas team."^[9]

Cast

• Jack Johnson as himself
• Blanche Thompson as Molly Moran
• Reed Thomas as Joe Walker
• Walter Simpson as Tom Atkins
• Versia Rice
• Sam Crawford as himself
• Bruce Petway as himself
• Rube Foster as himself
• Cristóbal Torriente as himself^[1]

See also

• For His Mother's Sake (another film starring Johnson)

Notes and References

1. Web site: AFI|Catalog. catalog.afi.com.
2. News: "As the World Rolls On": Complete Story of Feature Picture in Which Jack Johnson Stars . 22 January 2021 . The Chicago Defender . 20 August 1921 . 7. .
3. Book: Erickson, Hal. The Baseball Filmography, 1915 through 2001, 2d ed.. March 23, 2016. McFarland. 9781476607856. Google Books.
4. Web site: As the World Rolls On. www.tcm.com.
5. Web site: As The World Rolls On. September 8, 2015.
6. News: "Its a Knockout" (Ad) . 25 January 2021 . The New York Age . 10 September 1921 . 6.
7. Book: Richards, Larry. African American Films Through 1959: A Comprehensive, Illustrated Filmography. September 17, 2015. McFarland. 9781476610528. Google Books.
8. Web site: elmwoodce-a - pafn41 - Generated by Personal Ancestral File. www.elmwoodcem-kc.org.
9. News: Brown . Robbie . Antique film of black ballplayers surfaces, and their diamond is a plantation . 22 January 2021 . New York Times . 30 April 2013. .