Paul Robeson

Paul LeRoy Bustill Robeson (April 9, 1898 – January 23, 1976) was an American actor, athlete, singer, writer, and political and civil rights activist.

Movies

Between 1925 and 1942 Robeson appeared in eleven films, all but four of them British productions, after he and his wife moved to England in the late 1920s. He remained there, with long periods away on singing tours, until the outbreak of World War Two. At the height of his popularity in the 1930s, Robeson became a major box office attraction in British films such as Song of Freedom and The Proud Valley. Briefly returning to the USA he reprised his title role in the film version of The Emperor Jones in 1933. He was also cast as Joe in the 1936 film version of Show Boat. In this film his performance of "Ol' Man River" has been regarded as definitive and arguably never been bettered. He also was Umbopa in the 1937 version of King Solomon's Mines. He would eventually be blacklisted by the Hollywood movie studio bosses for his political beliefs.

Related Topics:
Song of Freedom - The Proud Valley - The Emperor Jones - Show Boat - Ol' Man River - King Solomon's Mines - Blacklisted - Movie studio

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