Richard E. Norman and Race Filmmaking Collection, 1912-1997
A Guide to Their Materials at the Indiana University Black Film
Center/Archive
Finding aid prepared by Megan MacDonald
Summary Information
Repository
Indiana
University Black Film Center/Archive
1320 East Tenth Street
Herman B Wells Library, Room 044
Bloomington, IN 47405-7000
Phone: 812-855-6041
Fax: 812-856-5832
Email: bfca@indiana.edu
http://www.libraries.iub.edu/~bfca
Creator
Norman,
Richard E., 1891-1961
TitleRichard E. Norman and Race Filmmaking
Collection, 1912-1997
Collection No.
COL 16
Extent
26 boxes, 1 map drawer
Language
Materials are in English
Abstract
Consists of distribution records,
correspondence, film publicity, posters, photographs, censorship materials, and
fiscal statements of film producer and distributor Richard Edward Norman.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research.
Biographical Note
Richard Edward Norman (1891-1960)
began his film production career around 1912. In 1916 he
made
The Green-Eyed Monster, an all-white drama which
he later remade with an all black cast and additional scenes (now called
Green-Eyed Monster, dropping the article). This was the
beginning of his interest in black or race films, a new market that was being forged
by producers like Oscar Micheaux and the Lincoln Motion Picture Company. Over time,
Norman made many other films using black casts, including
The
Bull-Dogger
(1921),
The
Crimson Skull
(1921),
Regeneration
(1923),
The Flying Ace (1926), and
Black Gold (1928).
The Flying Ace was a
particular success, grossing close to $20,000 through Norman’s distribution
efforts.
Norman never crossed over from silent films to talkies, which he thought was a major
part of his economic success. Norman's films were always able to generate a profit,
even in lean economic times. His policy was not to pay his stars more than $75 a
week and he usually completed production in less than one month's time. He
distributed his films himself, concentrating his efforts mainly in the south, and
then selling the rights to other film exhibitors to distribute to various other
regions. His films played from Texas to New York.
Norman kept in contact with both black and white producers, often buying the rights
to their pictures and showing them along with his own. He showed Oscar Micheaux
films as well as Hollywood serials, and lesser features. In the forties he began
distributing Joe Louis fights and films that featured performers such as Lena
Horne.
Norman died in 1960. The accounts of his studio continue
to attract scholars and lay people. His son, Richard Norman, Jr., graciously donated
the Norman studio records and materials to the Black Film Center/Archive for use in
further research of this phenomenal enterprise.
Arrangement
The Richard E. Norman and Race Filmmaking Collection contains
materials related to films Norman produced, as well as films he distributedThe
collection is divided into five series:
Correspondence,
Distribution,
Photographic
Materials
,
Publicity, &
Subject Files
Scope and Content
The
Correspondence series contains both personal and
professional correspondence, arranged by date and then alphabetically within each
folder.
The
Distribution series contains very detailed accounts
of all of Norman's screenings, both his own films and those he distributed. Includes
contracts for film screenings, box office receipts, Western Union and other telegram
communicaes, railway receipts, travel expenses, and correspondence regarding films
Norman produced and distributed. In addition to screening his movies in theaters
Norman also held many screenings in churches and schools around the country.
Correspondence with these venues is also included in this series.
Photographic Materials include lithographs and negatives
from some of Norman's movies as well as production stills for Pure Oil Company. Also
included are some personal photos of Norman with Phyllis Klotman, founder of the
BFC/A and for the opening reception at the Lilly Library.
The
Publicity Series includes a large variety of items
in many different sizes. Inlcuded are lobby cards, hand bills, heralds, photos,
title cards, posters, press sheets, and programs for both Norman and non-Norman
movies. Of particular interest are the Home Talent Movie Picture Programs, from
Norman's early years in the business. These movies travelled around the country and
featured local characters and locations. Using some stock footage and a short
script, Norman would then intercut local footage into the movie with real citizens
cast in the roles. Programs were then made, including a photo specific to that
city's film and a listing of all locals used in the film.
The
Subject Files Series has a wide range of materials
including censorship materials, receipts and invoices, some personal materials, as
well as two other porjects Norman worked on. Zircon (or The Fighting Fool in earlier
renditions), is a 15 episode serial, never came to fruition but early plans and
correspondence are included in this subseries. One of Norman's first business
ventures was the development of a cola-based soft drink called Pasi-Kola. Included
in this subseries are recipes, correspondence, and ads pertaining to the short lived
soft drink.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
This collection was donated by Norman's son in 1984.
Originally dispered between the Black Film Center/Archive
and the Lilly Library the collection was fully
reintergrated into the BFC/A holdings in 2015
Usage Restrictions
Duplication and publication of materials requires permission of Archivist.
Preferred Citation
[item], Richard E. Norman and Race Filmmaking Collection, Special Collection COL
16, Black Film Center/Archive, Indiana University, Bloomington.
Processing InformationProcessed by Megan MacDonald
Completed in December 2015.
Collection Inventory
Series:
Box 1
Correspondence
Series:
Distribution
Subseries:
By State
Box 2
Alabama
Anniston, 1920-1926 ,
undated
New Queen Theater
View item(s)
Birgmingham, 1928-1930,
undated
Champion Theater
View item(s)
Arkansas
Arkadelphia, 1922-1923 ,
undated
West End Theater
View item(s)
Pine Bluff, 1924-1925 ,
undated
Community Theater
View item(s)
Texarkana, 1922-1923,
undated
Washington Theater
View item(s)
Delaware
Wilmington, 1921-1928 , undated
National Theater
View item(s)
Florida
Daytona Beach, 1921-1929 ,
undated
Midway Theater
View item(s)
Fort Lauderdale, 1925-1940,
undated
Palace Theater
View item(s)
Illinois
Box 3
Cairo, 1921-1927 , undated
Standard Theater
View item(s)
Indiana
Indianapolis, 1927-1929,
undated
Douglas Theater
View item(s)
Indianapolis, 1921-1929 ,
undated
Indiana Theater
View item(s)
Indianapolis, 1921-1929 ,
undated
Senate Theater
View item(s)
Kansas
Kansas City, 1921-1925 ,
undated
Dunbar Theater
View item(s)
Kansas City, 1922-1925 ,
undated
Empire Theater
View item(s)
Kansas City, 1921-1927 ,
undated
Princess Theater
View item(s)
Kentucky
Louisville, 1921-1927 ,
undated
Lincoln Theater
View item(s)
Louisiana
Baton Rouge, 1926-1929 ,
undated
Temple Theater
View item(s)
New Orleans, 1922-1931 ,
undated
Lincoln Theater
View item(s)
New Orleans, 1922-1923 ,
undated
Othello Theater
View item(s)
New Orleans, 1921-1929 ,
undated
Saenger Amusement Co.
View item(s)
Mississippi
Mount Bayou, 1922-1923 ,
undated
Lyceum Theater
View item(s)
Missouri
Kansas City, 1921-1927,
undated
Columbia Theater
View item(s)
Kansas City, 1924-1928 ,
undated
Lincoln Theater
View item(s)
North Carolina
Ashville, 1931 , undated
Booker T. Washington Theater
View item(s)
Statesville, 1923-1929 ,
undated
Dunbar Theater
View item(s)
Washington, 1920-1929 ,
undated
Dreamland Theater
View item(s)
Washington, 1920-1923 ,
undated
Victoria Theater
View item(s)
Winston-Salem, 1925-1931 ,
undated
New Rex Theater
View item(s)
Ohio
Box 4
Cincinnati, 1922-1927 ,
undated
Lincoln Theater
View item(s)
Cleveland, 1927-1929 ,
undated
Fountain Theater
View item(s)
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, 1921-1930 ,
undated
Aldridge Theater
View item(s)
Okmulgee, 1921-1924 ,
undated
Dreamland Theater
View item(s)
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, 1925-1930 ,
undated
Forrest Theater
View item(s)
Philadelphia, 1921-1928 ,
undated
Gladstone and Rex Theaters
View item(s)
South Carolina
Charleston, 1920-1931 ,
undated
Lincoln Theater
View item(s)
Georgetown, 1927-1929 ,
undated
Palmetto Theater
View item(s)
Greenville, 1920-1929 ,
undated
Liberty Theater
View item(s)
Spartanburg, 1923-1929 ,
undated
Dunbar Theater
View item(s)
Texas
Clarksville, 1925-1926 ,
undated
Dreamland Theater
View item(s)
Galveston, 1921-1929 ,
undated
Princess Theater
View item(s)
Greenville, 1921-1930 ,
undated
Pastime Theater
View item(s)
Houston, 1921-1930 ,
undated
Washington Theater
View item(s)
Waxahachie, 1921-1924 ,
undated
Freedman Theater
View item(s)
Waxahachie, 1921-1930 ,
undated
Lincoln Theater
View item(s)
Virginia
Box 5
Alexandria, 1925-1928 ,
undated
Lincoln Theater
View item(s)
Danville, 1920-1929 ,
undated
Hippodrome Theater
View item(s)
Martinsville, 1924-1930 ,
undated
Baldwin Theater
View item(s)
Newport News, 1921-1930 ,
undated
Dixie Theater
View item(s)
Newport News, 1924-1931 ,
undated
Lincoln Park and Beach Theater
View item(s)
Petersburg, 1924-1929 ,
undated
Idle Hour Theater
View item(s)
Portsmouth, 1924-1929 ,
undated
Capitol Theater
View item(s)
Richmond, 1920-1930 ,
undated
Hippodrome Theater
View item(s)
Subseries:
Non-Theatrical Distribution
Subseries:
Non-Norman Distribution
Series:
Photographic Materials
Personal Photos, 1985
Reception at Lilly Library
View item(s)
Personal Photos, 1997
Negative and receipt for Norman Portrait
View item(s)
Series:
Publicity
Subseries:
Box 12
Lobby Cards
Subseries:
Box 16
Photographs
Subseries:
Posters
Non-Norman Films
Western Front
Subseries:
Box 18
Press Sheets
Multiple Film Press Sheets
Bull-Dogger, Love Bug, Crimson
Skull, & Green Eyed Monster
View item(s)
Subseries:
Box 19
Promotional Materials
Home Talent Movie Picture Programs
Sleepy Sam, the Sleuth,
Chillicothe, OH
6 x 14 inches
View item(s)
Series:
Subject Files
Advertising Calendar for Famous Theater, Winter Park,
Floria, 1950-1951
View item(s)
Subseries:
African American Newspapers
Note
The following items were not digitized due to the brittle condition of the
paper and their limited relevance to the collection. These items may be accessed onsite or scanned
and uploaded by researcher request.
The Afro American, June 27, 1931
The Carolina Times, May 30,
1931
The Chicago Defender (partial), May 26, 1923
The Chicago Defender, June 27, 1931
The Dallas Express, July 4,
1931
The Northwest Enterprise, Octover 22,
1931
The Pittsburgh Courier, June 27, 1931
The Richmond Planet, Feburary 28, 1931
The Shreveport Sun, March 28, 1931
Catalogs and Brochures, 1923-1958
Note
The following catalogs were not scanned due to the size/difficulty of
scanning the item in relation to their overall relevancy to the Norman
Collection and the BFC/A's mission. A full scan will be made upon patron
request: 1) Kansas City Slide Co. Spring and Summer 1929 Catalog; 2) Edmund Scientific Corp. (Barrington, NJ)
Christmas Catalog; 3) Physical Theatre - Extra Profits Issue of - Theatre Catalog: Equipment Encyclopedia and
Buyers Guide, 1958.
View item(s)
Catalogs and Brochures - Imperial Enterprise, 1951-1954 ,
undated
View item(s)
Subseries:
Censorship Materials
New York, 1922-1928 , undated
Note
1923 printing of The Motion Picture Commision of the State of New York's Law and Rules and Regulations
booklet was not scanned as it is the same as the 1921 printing with the exception that Arthur Levy is listed as Secretary
in place of Joseph Levenson.
View item(s)
Flying Ace Props, undated
Note
This item consists of a shadow box containing theater tickets, a lobby card,
and a pair of handcuffs used as a prop in the film "The Flying Ace." Due to the three-dimensional
nature of the artifact, it was not scanned. This item may be accessed on site or researchers
may request a reference photograph.
Miscellaneous, 1916-1956 , undated
Note
Unrelated and brittle newsclippings (Oversized Box 26) not scanned.
View item(s)
Miscellaneous Magazines, 1925-1931
View item(s)
Note
Magazines were too large and fragile for scanning. Only the covers have
been scanned, but the full issues are available for onsite use as the
BFC/A with staff supervision.
Motion Picture Magazines, 1916-1934
View item(s)
Note
Only "J.A. Jackson's Page" from The Billboard have been scanned from this
folder. Issues of the Moving Picture World and Motion Picture Herald,
Vol. 117 (no. 10) available online through other resources such as the
Media History Digital Library. Due to formatting issues that prevent
scanning without damaging the items, The Theatre Bulletin of Oklahoma
City Vol. 4(no. 4, 6 December 1919) and White Shadows (March 1923) are
only available for use on site at the BFC/A.
Subseries:
Orders and Receipts
November 1948-1949
View item(s)
Note
Only the cover of School Equipment News (March 1951) was scanned due
to the limited relevance of this publication to the remainder of the
collection. Full publication may be viewed on site at the BFC/A or
fully digitized upon patron request.
Subseries:
Pasi-Kola
Correspondence, 1912-1920 undated
View item(s)
Note
Technician was unable to avoid text-bleedthrough for scan of
two-sided letter written on translucent onion skin paper.
Miscellaneous, 1956
View item(s)
Note
Only first page of the Florida Times-Union (Sunday, 1956 April 29)
due to the fragility of the document and it's relevance to
Pasi-Kola.
Notes, undated
View item(s)
Note
Blank pages and versos in notebook not scanned.
Scrapbook, 1913-1916 , undated
View item(s)
Note
A number of pages of multiple items partially adhered to one another in
layers. Multiple scans have been made of these pages so as to provide
the best viewability of each clipping.
Subseries:
Theater Contact Information by State, undated
3 small boxes. Items were often alphabetized incorrectly under state
headings, particularly in set 2.
Set 1 - Philippine Islands?
View item(s)
Note
Section card is for the Philippine Islands, but most of the cards
have a state abbreviation of Va.