Norman, Richard E., 1891-1961

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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).

From the description of Papers, 1912-1954. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 777851449

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.

From the description of Scripts, title scenarios and postcards, [1915?-1923]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 81477501

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) .

From the guide to the Norman, R.E. mss., 1912-1954, (Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington))

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Norman, Richard E. (Richard Edward), 1891-1961. Papers, 1912-1954. Indiana University
referencedIn Jacobberger, Francis Benedict, 1898-1962. Francis Jacobberger architectural papers, 1910-1962. University of Oregon Libraries
creatorOf Norman, Richard E. Scripts, title scenarios and postcards, [1915?-1923]. Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum
creatorOf Norman, R.E. mss., 1912-1954 Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
creatorOf Norman, Richard E., 1891-1960. Miscellaneous papers. Jacksonville University, Carl S. Swisher Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Angeles, Bert person
associatedWith Boyd, Kathryn person
associatedWith Brooks, Clarence person
associatedWith Bush, Anita person
associatedWith Coleman, Bessie person
associatedWith D. Ireland Thomas person
associatedWith George Perry Johnson person
associatedWith Howard, Shingzie person
associatedWith Jacobberger, Francis Benedict, 1898-1962. person
associatedWith Kathryn Boyd person
associatedWith Lawrence Criner person
associatedWith Lawrence Criner embracing person
associatedWith Mayo, Stella person
associatedWith Micheaux, Oscar person
associatedWith Norcom, Alfred person
associatedWith Norman Film Manufacturing Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Pickett, Bill, ca. 1860-1932. person
associatedWith Salem Tutt Whitney. person
associatedWith Starr, Belle, 1848-1889 person
associatedWith Steve Reynolds person
associatedWith Younger, Cole, 1844-1916 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Northfield (Minn.)
United States
United States
Subject
African Americans in the motion picture industry
Motion picture producers and directors
Motion picture industry
Motion pictures
Motion pictures
Motion pictures
Silent films
Western films
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1891

Death 1961

Male

Information

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