 SEE Films
| Click a SEE icon (the eye) to open the gallery with the selected footage. In
the late 1930s Rev. Taylor added another dimension to his documentary
quest. He purchased a Bolex H-16 Movie Camera and produced 16 MM black
and white and color films through the 1950s. Taylor's films were more
than home movies. He transferred his remarkable ability to tell
stories from his pulpit to make film statements about the vibrant
African American Communities in the Memphis Delta Region. |
 Perhaps taking the lead from commercial movies or a pamphlet he
purchased at the camera store, Rev. Taylor began his films with an
introductory title Taylor Made Pictures. He used title
cards throughout the films to provide information while revealing his
humor and enjoyment in each film production. The title of this
exhibit, Taylor Made, is taken from these title cards.
Once Rev. Taylor processed and edited a film he'd show it to the
business or church. He would charge a small fee for people to see the
movies as indicated by the ticket for The Negro in Church Life. The film segments in this exhibit are drawn from over 15 hours of film footage in The Taylor Collection.
Please note that these films were produced by Rev. Taylor with no sound. Click a SEE icon to watch these films showcasing Religious, Community and Business life of Memphis' African American community.
Please help us with our ongoing research and let us know if you
recognize anyone in the selected films. To contact us, just click the link next to the corresponding film title.
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