Norman, Richard E., 1891-1961

Film producer and distributor Richard Edward Norman, 1891-1961, began his career as a cameraman for the Capitol City Film Co. of Des Moines, Iowa, about 1912. He soon went into business for himself and by 1920 had made a number of short films as a travelling film producer. After 1920 Norman established himself and his company in Jacksonville, Florida, and began producing all black films. He made several of these "race" films in the 1920's and distributed them through the 1930's. Norman continued to be involved with the motion picture industry in one capacity or another until the mid 1950's. Among the films produced by Norman are Bell Starr (1912), The Man at the Throttle (1915), Sleepy Sam the Sleuth (1915), The Wrecker (1915), The Green-Eyed Monster (1916 and 1920), Pro Patria (1916), The Love Bug (1920), The Crimson Skull (1921), The Bull-Dogger (1921), Regeneration (1923), The Flying Ace (1926), and Black Gold (1928).

Richard E. Norman was a filmmaker, inventor, and businessman. After working for several years in the Midwest as a roving filmmaker, he set up the Norman Film Manufacturing Company in Jacksonville, Florida in 1920. The company lasted until 1928, producing and distributing some of the first feature films to recognize the contribution of African-Americans to the settlement of the West. The films featured African-American actors and were intended primarily for segregated African-American audiences.

Richard Edward Norman began his career as a cameraman for the Capitol City Film Co. of Des Moines, Iowa, about 1912. He soon went into business for himself and by 1920 had made a number of short films as a travelling film producer. After 1920 Norman established himself and his company in Jacksonville, Florida, and began producing all‑black films. He made several of these "race" films in the 1920's and distributed them through the 1930's. Norman continued to be involved with the motion picture industry in one capacity or another until the mid‑1950's.

Among the films produced by Norman are Bell Starr (1912), The Man at the Throttle (1915), Sleepy Sam the Sleuth (1915), The Wrecker (1915), The Green‑Eyed Monster (1916 and 1920), Pro Patria (1916), The Love Bug (1920), The Crimson Skull (1921), The Bull‑Dogger (1921), Regeneration (1923), The Flying Ace (1926), and Black Gold (1928) .