Object Details
Directed by
Richard C. Kahn, American, 1897 - 1960
Created by
Richard C. Kahn, American, 1897 - 1960
Subject of
Herb Jeffries, American, 1913 - 2014
Spencer Williams, American, 1893-1969
Clarence Brooks, American, 1896 - 1969
Lucius Brooks, American, 1911 - 1999
Artie Young, American, 1915 - 1989
Murray's Dude Ranch, American, 1922 - 1960
Earle Morris, American, born 1897
Flournoy Miller, American, 1885 - 1971
Spencer Williams, American, 1893-1969
Lee Calmes
The Four Tones, American
Description
A 16mm release print of a feature film entitled The Bronze Buckaroo. It consists of two reels of positive 16mm acetate film (a) and (b), is in black and white and contains sound. A single row of perforations runs along one edge of each film strip, while a variable-area optical-sound (audio on film) track runs along the other.
In the opening scene, four cowboys ride through a desert before stopping and having a drink. They then engage in a conversation about their missing friend Joe, before resuming their journey. In the next scene, a man sits on a wooden fence reading from a paper as the camera cuts to four animals that surround him: a barking dog, a cow, a donkey and a chicken. At one point the man reads, “To throw the voice for a greater distance, it is imperative that…” before the camera cuts back to the group of riding cowboys.
The film continues by chronicling the experiences the four cowboys encounter as they search for Joe. Upon their arrival to Joe’s ranch, the men are informed by Joe’s sister that Joe has been missing for weeks. They eventually realize that Joe’s neighbors are holding him hostage over a land dispute.
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Randall and Sam Nieman
Date
1939
Object number
2015.167.4.1ab
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown - Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Type
sound films
black-and-white films (visual works)
release prints (motion pictures)
feature films
16mm (photographic film size)
Medium
acetate film
Dimensions
Duration: 60 Minutes
Length (Film Reel 1): 1200 Feet
Length (Film Reel 2): 900 Feet
Place depicted
Arizona, United States, North and Central America
Place filmed
San Bernardino County, California, United States, North and Central America
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Time-based Media - Moving Images
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Topic
African American
American West
Film
Race films
Western films
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmaahc_2015.167.4.1ab