Collection ID: COL 16
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Norman, Richard E., 1891-1961
Abstract:
Consists of distribution records, correspondence, film publicity, posters, photographs, censorship materials, and fiscal statements of film producer and distributor Richard Edward Norman.
Extent:
26 Boxes and 1 map drawer
Language:
Materials are in English
Preferred citation:

[item], Richard E. Norman and Race Filmmaking Collection, Special Collection COL 16, Black Film Center & Archive, Indiana University, Bloomington.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

Richard Edward Norman (1891-1960) began his film production career around 1912. In 1916 he made The Green-Eyed Monster, an all-white drama which he later remade with an all black cast and additional scenes (now called Green-Eyed Monster, dropping the article). This was the beginning of his interest in black or race films, a new market that was being forged by producers like Oscar Micheaux and the Lincoln Motion Picture Company. Over time, Norman made many other films using black casts, including The Bull-Dogger (1921), The Crimson Skull(1921), Regeneration (1923), The Flying Ace (1926), and Black Gold (1928). The Flying Ace was a particular success, grossing close to $20,000 through Norman's distribution efforts.

Norman never crossed over from silent films to talkies, which he thought was a major part of his economic success. Norman's films were always able to generate a profit, even in lean economic times. His policy was not to pay his stars more than $75 a week and he usually completed production in less than one month's time. He distributed his films himself, concentrating his efforts mainly in the south, and then selling the rights to other film exhibitors to distribute to various other regions. His films played from Texas to New York.

Norman kept in contact with both black and white producers, often buying the rights to their pictures and showing them along with his own. He showed Oscar Micheaux films as well as Hollywood serials, and lesser features. In the forties he began distributing Joe Louis fights and films that featured performers such as Lena Horne.

Norman died in 1960. The accounts of his studio continue to attract scholars and lay people. His son, Richard Norman, Jr., graciously donated the Norman studio records and materials to the Black Film Center & Archive for use in further research of this phenomenal enterprise.

Scope and Content:

The Correspondence series contains both personal and professional correspondence, arranged by date and then alphabetically within each folder.

The Distribution series contains very detailed accounts of all of Norman's screenings, both his own films and those he distributed. Includes contracts for film screenings, box office receipts, Western Union and other telegram communicaes, railway receipts, travel expenses, and correspondence regarding films Norman produced and distributed. In addition to screening his movies in theaters Norman also held many screenings in churches and schools around the country. Correspondence with these venues is also included in this series.

Photographic Materials include lithographs and negatives from some of Norman's movies as well as production stills for Pure Oil Company. Also included are some personal photos of Norman with Phyllis Klotman, founder of the BFC/A and for the opening reception at the Lilly Library.

The Publicity Series includes a large variety of items in many different sizes. Inlcuded are lobby cards, hand bills, heralds, photos, title cards, posters, press sheets, and programs for both Norman and non-Norman movies. Of particular interest are the Home Talent Movie Picture Programs, from Norman's early years in the business. These movies travelled around the country and featured local characters and locations. Using some stock footage and a short script, Norman would then intercut local footage into the movie with real citizens cast in the roles. Programs were then made, including a photo specific to that city's film and a listing of all locals used in the film.

The Subject Files Series has a wide range of materials including censorship materials, receipts and invoices, some personal materials, as well as two other porjects Norman worked on. Zircon (or The Fighting Fool in earlier renditions), is a 15 episode serial, never came to fruition but early plans and correspondence are included in this subseries. One of Norman's first business ventures was the development of a cola-based soft drink called Pasi-Kola. Included in this subseries are recipes, correspondence, and ads pertaining to the short lived soft drink.

Acquisition information:
This collection was donated by Norman's son in 1984 . Originally dispered between the Black Film Center Archive and the Lilly Library the collection was fully reintergrated into the BFCA holdings in 2015
Processing information:

Processed by Megan MacDonald

Completed in December 2015.

Arrangement:

The Richard E. Norman and Race Filmmaking Collection contains materials related to films Norman produced, as well as films he distributed. The collection is divided into five series: Correspondence, Distribution, Photographic Materials, Publicity, & Subject Files

General note:

In 2022, the Black Film Center/Archive (BFC/A) transitioned to its current name, the Black Film Center & Archive (BFCA). This finding aid was created under the organizational name Black Film Center/Archive. Upon this organizational name change, all previous references to the BFC/A were updated in this finding aid to match the current name, Black Film Center & Archive.

Online content

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is open for research.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

Duplication and publication of materials requires permission of Archivist.

PREFERRED CITATION:

[item], Richard E. Norman and Race Filmmaking Collection, Special Collection COL 16, Black Film Center & Archive, Indiana University, Bloomington.

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
1320 East Tenth Street
Herman B Wells Library, Room 044
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7000, United States
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
CONTACT:
812-855-6041
bfca@indiana.edu