Rentals
Paul Robeson
The African-American actor, singer and political activist who became a major star in British cinema of the 1930s.
Paul Robeson may have been an outcast in America, the country of his birth, but he found fame in Britain between the late 1920s and the outbreak of World War Two. With his booming bass singing voice and commanding screen presence, Robeson charmed Britain’s largely white audiences in roles that championed class solidarity and the struggle against oppression. As Robeson became a major player in British cinema, he campaigned for screen roles that projected a positive image of black people, breaking away from traditional stereotypes. Although not all of his films lived up to such ideals (Sanders of the River in particular) Robeson left an indelible mark on British cinema and his portrayals became a benchmark for black screen representation for years to come.
Song of Freedom Song of Freedom
Drama 1936 77 mins Director: J. Elder Wills
A black London docker becomes a famous opera singer in this stirring musical drama starring Paul Robeson
Body and Soul Body and Soul
Drama 1925 93 mins Director: Oscar Micheaux
Paul Robeson's remarkable film debut, the star playing dual roles in this key work of African American cinema from pioneering filmmaker Oscar Micheaux
The Proud Valley The Proud Valley
Drama 1940 77 mins Director: Penrose Tennyson
Deeply moving mining drama that provided the legendary American singer/actor Paul Robeson with his best British film role.
Sanders of the River Sanders of the River
Drama 1935 87 mins Director: Zoltan Korda
Alexander Korda’s colonial epic was disowned by its star Paul Robeson, but became a pivotal film in his fight for screen representation.
King Solomon's Mines King Solomon's Mines
Action and Adventure 1937 77 mins Director: Robert Stevenson and Geoffrey Barkas
The first adaptation of H. Rider Haggard’s famous novel, featuring Paul Robeson as a usurped king accompanying Allan Quartermain on an African adventure.
Show Boat Show Boat
Period drama 1936 114 mins Director: James Whale
By far the best film version of Oscar Hammerstein and Jerome Kern’s landmark stage show.