Pioneering black photographer Charles “Teenie” Harris, who was dubbed “One Shot” because of his economy-of-shutter (he literally only snapped a single frame to, as he put it, get the most out of his flash bulb supply), documented a part of black America not seen in the mainstream press of the time: mainly, positive images of blacks laughing, sleeping, dancing and otherwise engaged in daily life. Harris logged many years as the staff photographer for the African-American newspaper Pittsburgh Courier (from 1931-1975), where he also photographed many of the legendary jazz greats, such as a young Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, and Lena Horne (who, as one person put it, looked good through anyone's lens). Through the newspaper, Harris documented the social, political and cultural changes over nearly a half century--from every presidential visit to the initial inroads made by blacks into the military and sports. In One Shot, filmmaker Kenneth Love weaves together interviews with family members, colleagues, and Harris himself (before he passed away in 1998), and many, many remarkable photos. to portray the artist's life, work, and the dramatic family battle over Harris's negatives, which he inadvisably sold to a local entrepreneur for what amounted to a few thousand dollars, before dying a poor man. An engaging documentary about a national treasure who captured priceless images recounting the 20th century black experience, this is recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (C. Block)
One Shot: The Life and Work of Teenie Harris
(1999) 56 min. $49.95: high schools & public libraries; $195: colleges & universities. California Newsreel. PPR. Color cover. Volume 17, Issue 3
One Shot: The Life and Work of Teenie Harris
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