Brown Gravy Explained

Brown Gravy is a 1929 American comedy film with an African American cast. William Watson directed the Al Christie production.^[1] It was among the early "talkie" films released with African American casts. Octavus Roy Cohen wrote the story, part of a series he wrote for the Saturday Evening Post adapted to film in collaboration with Christie.^[2] The film's thin plot includes themes addressing religion, fraternal organizations, con men, and family life.^[3]

The New York Public Library has photos used in promoting the film including caricatures of the leads.^[4] The film features a singing contest between choral groups in Memphis.

Cast

• Spencer Williams^{[5] [6]}
• Roberta Hyson
• Sam McDaniel
• Edward Thompson
• Evelyn Preer^[4]
• The Georgia Jubilee Singers

Notes and References

1. Web site: A Shortie Checklist: Paramount - Shorts - TCM Message Boards.
2. Book: Lupack, Barbara Tepa. Literary Adaptations in Black American Cinema: From Micheaux to Toni Morrison. October 26, 2002. University Rochester Press. 9781580461030. Google Books.
3. Book: Watkins, Mel. On the Real Side: A History of African American Comedy from Slavery to Chris Rock. May 26, 1999. Chicago Review Press. 9781569767603. Google Books.
4. Book: Klein, E.G. Film stills scrapbook: Brown gravy.. October 26, 1929. 969903819. Open WorldCat.
5. Book: Richards, Larry. African American Films Through 1959: A Comprehensive, Illustrated Filmography. September 17, 2015. McFarland. 9781476610528. Google Books.
6. The Films of Spencer Williams. Cripps, Thomas. 1978. Black American Literature Forum. 12. 4. 128–134. JSTOR. 10.2307/3041505. 3041505.