Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry, better known by the stage name Stepin Fetchit, was an American vaudevillian, comedian, and film actor of Jamaican and Bahamian descent, considered to be the first black actor to have a successful film career. His highest profile was during the 1930s in films and on stage, when his persona of Stepin Fetchit was billed as the "Laziest Man in the World".
Guinn Terrell Williams Jr. was an American actor who appeared in memorable westerns such as Dodge City (1939), Santa Fe Trail (1940), and The Comancheros (1961). He was nicknamed "Big Boy" because he was 6' 2" and had a muscular build from years of working on ranches and playing semi-pro and professional baseball. At the height of his movie career, he was frequently billed above the title simply as Big Boy Williams or as "Big Boy" Guinn Williams on posters and in the film itself.
Stand Up and Cheer! is a 1934 American Pre-Code musical film directed by Hamilton MacFadden. The screenplay by Lew Brown and Ralph Spence was based upon a story idea by Will Rogers and Philip Klein. The film is about efforts undertaken during the Great Depression to boost the morale of the country. It is essentially a vehicle for a string of vaudeville acts and a few musical numbers. The film is best known for providing the first big breakthrough role for legendary child actress Shirley Temple. A little known bit player before the film, by the end of the year, she appeared in 10 movies, including 4 starring roles in major feature-length films.
The Bad Man of Brimstone is a 1937 American Western film directed by J. Walter Ruben and starring Wallace Beery, Virginia Bruce and Dennis O'Keefe. The screenplay was written by Cyril Hume and Richard Maibaum, from a story by Ruben and Maurice Rapf.
Hearts in Dixie (1929) starring Stepin Fetchit was one of the first all-"talkie", big-studio productions to boast a predominantly African-American cast. A musical, the film celebrates African-American music and dance. It was released by Fox Film Corporation just months before the release of Hallelujah!, another all-black musical by competitor Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The director of Hearts in Dixie was Paul Sloane. Walter Weems wrote the screenplay, and William Fox was producer.
Swing Wedding is a 1937 MGM Happy Harmonies cartoon directed by Hugh Harman.
A Tough Winter is a 1930 Our Gang short comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 99th Our Gang short to be released.
Fox Movietone Follies of 1929, also known as Movietone Follies of 1929 and The William Fox Movietone Follies of 1929, is an American black-and-white and color pre-Code musical film released by Fox Film Corporation.
Big Timers is a 1945 American musical comedy race film directed by Bud Pollard. The bottom of a poster for the film notes "The secrets of a chambermaid in a Sugar Hill Hotel!"
The Eagle's Claw is a 1924 American silent Western film starring Guinn "Big Boy" Williams. It was produced and directed by Charles R. Seeling.
Hell Bound is a 1931 American pre-Code drama film directed by Walter Lang.
The Virginia Judge is a 1935 American drama film directed by Edward Sedgwick, written by Frank R. Adams and Inés López, and starring Walter C. Kelly, Marsha Hunt, Stepin Fetchit, Johnny Downs, Robert Cummings and Virginia Hammond. It was released on September 17, 1935, by Paramount Pictures.
Pawnee is a 1957 American Western film directed by George Waggner and written by George Waggner, Louis Vittes and Endre Bohem. The Trucolor film stars George Montgomery, Bill Williams, Lola Albright, Francis McDonald, Robert Griffin and Dabbs Greer. The film was released on September 7, 1957, by Republic Pictures.
Broken Toys is an 8-minute 1935 animation by Disney in the Silly Symphonies series. The toys in the story include caricatures of W.C. Fields, Zasu Pitts, Ned Sparks and Stepin Fetchit. Broken Toys was originally scheduled to follow Elmer Elephant and Three Little Wolves but was moved ahead of these titles in order to have it ready for a Christmas release.
Nameless Men is a 1928 American silent drama film directed by Christy Cabanne and starring Claire Windsor, Antonio Moreno, and Eddie Gribbon.
Helldorado is a 1934 American drama film directed by James Cruze and written by Philip Dunne, Frances Hyland, and Rex Taylor. The film stars Richard Arlen, Madge Evans, Ralph Bellamy, James Gleason, Helen Jerome Eddy and Henry B. Walthall. The film was released on December 21, 1934, by Fox Film Corporation.
Massacre Canyon is a 1954 American Western film directed by Fred F. Sears and written by David Lang. The film stars Philip Carey, Audrey Totter, Douglas Kennedy, Jeff Donnell and Guinn "Big Boy" Williams. The film was released on May 1, 1954, by Columbia Pictures.
The Gambling Sex is a 1932 American drama film directed by Fred C. Newmeyer and starring Ruth Hall, Grant Withers and Maston Williams.
African American comedy has had a substantial role in American culture from minstrel shows, vaudeville, blackface, and coon songs to some of the world's most popular comedians, shows and filmmakers.
