Dirty Gertie from Harlem U.S.A.: Museum Object and Cultural History
Dirty Gertie from Harlem U.S.A.: Date: 1946. Directed by: Spencer Williams, American, 1893-1969. Written by: True T. Thompson, American, 1896 - 1973.
The object in the museum catalogue
A 16mm release print of the feature film Dirty Gertie from Harlem U.S.A. It consists of two reels of positive 16mm acetate film (a) and (b), is in black and white and contains variable-area, optical-sound. The film tells the story of Gertie LaRue, a Harlem nightclub dancer who leaves her boyfriend and relocates to the fictitious island of “Rinidad.” Her arrival is marked by a reception at the Paradise Hotel, hosted by the hotel’s proprietor Mr. Diamond Joe. Gertie is offered the hotel’s “best room,” the bridal room. The film ends with Gertie’s ex-boyfriend, Al, breaking into her room in the night.
Materials, dates and provenance
- Date: 1946
- Directed by: Spencer Williams, American, 1893-1969
- Written by: True T. Thompson, American, 1896 - 1973
- Distributed by: Sack Amusement Enterprises, American, 1920 - 1979
- Subject of: Francine Everett, American, 1915 - 1999
- Subject of: Don Wilson
- Subject of: Katherine Moore
- Subject of: Alfred Hawkins
- Subject of: David Boykin
- Type: sound films
- Type: black-and-white films (visual works)
- Type: release prints (motion pictures)
- Type: feature films
- Type: 16mm (photographic film size)
- Medium: acetate film
- Dimensions: Duration: 60 Minutes
- Dimensions: Length (Film Reel 1): 1150 Feet
- Dimensions: Length (Film Reel 2): 1100 Feet
- Place depicted: Harlem, New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Place purchased: Bahamas, Caribbean, North and Central America
- Place filmed: United States, North and Central America
- Topic: African American
- Topic: Dance
- Topic: Film
- Topic: Nightlife
- Topic: Race films
- Object number: 2015.167.6.1ab
- Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Randall and Sam Nieman
- Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture
Sources and reuse
Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The underlying object's rights statement is: Unknown - Restrictions Possible Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
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