M & M Smith: For Posterity's Sake

Sharing an interest in the arts, African-American twins Morgan and Marvin Smith left rural Kentucky in the early 30's and migrated to Harlem, where they ran a photo studio located next to Harlem's Apollo theater. In the following decades, the Smiths captured the great events and famous personalities during one of the most vibrant chapters in Harlem's history, as well as portraying the dreams and aspirations of ordinary black folk struggling through trying times. An eloquent look at the unusual career of two black artists, the program interviews surviving twin Marvin Smith, actress Eartha Kitt and others who posed for or worked with the Smiths. The video notes that the Smiths made a powerful contribution to black self-esteem, never refusing to photograph hopeful black models, even though they knew they had little chance of making it in a Jim Crow world. Even Harlem itself was very segregated--bias prevented the Smiths from realizing their dream of owning their studio. Sadly, the Smiths discarded many prints and negatives when they were unable to find an institution willing to house them. Yet, the video does include rare and wonderful prints and movies of Joe Louis, W.E.B. DuBois, Paul Robeson, and many other historic black figures. A fine addition to any black history collection. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)