“Paul Robeson — The Tallest Tree In Our Forest” is a profile of Robeson created by filmmaker Gil Noble in 1977. The film is a bluesy dream for music fans and history buffs. Robeson’s was an African American athlete, singer and actor who regularly pushed boundaries in career and in activism, particularly to do with Civil Rights. Robeson’s’ baritone voice rolls over memories of his life; a scholarship to Rutgers as the first black student, shows at Greenwich theater, the five tone scale and plays in London. The feature is littered with footage captured on the 16mm; stills, archival footage and interviews from friends. Harry Belafonte and Lawrence Brown talk about their friend. Production began just before Robeson’s death at age 77 in 1976. The film was originally crafted in a three part format for public access television. The story begins at Robeson’s Archives Office situated off Walnut Street. His son was charged with the daunting task of cataloging Robeson’s creative works. It opens on yellow cabs against Walnut street (:13). The view runs in on the archives office (:17) opened in 1973. Images flash of the scrapings and works of creativity; magazines (:28) featuring Robeson’s on the cover, documents (:34), photography writings and books (:38) such as “Robeson Sings”. A black and white photograph captures Robeson’s face blowing into a vintage mic (:39). Another photograph shows Robeson’s’ gripping a football (1:11). Newspaper headlines speak of “What Robeson Said” from the Afro American titled paper (1:29). The title screen cuts in (1:44). Words were chosen from a statement made by Mary McLeod Bethune in the 1940’s about Paul. The film is “A Like it is” presentation (1:52). Robeson begins with his career in theater. He played in “The Emperor Jones” in the 1920’s by Eugene O’Neil (2:15). Big Ben stands in London (2:32). He relays his experiences and images from traveling to London as well as in his role in “Voodoo” 1922 with Mrs. Patrick Campbell (2:39). Robeson unintentionally altered and enhanced the feature (3:44) into a musical. Music sheets and a booklet appear; “American Negro Sings” (3:58). Robeson explains his singing style in his own words (4:01). Lawrence Brown’s voice spins on the record tape the pair retell the tale of how they met in 1922 (4:12). Larry and Paul stand together (4:34). Lawrence was an American trombonist and jazz musician known best for his work with the Duke Ellington orchestra. A traffic cop waves (4:56). They met on the corner of 135th and 7th Ave in March of 1925 on the streets of Harlem. A Harlem Barber cleans a fresh cut (4:58). The program appears from the evening show (5:28). The pair performed a program together at the Greenwich Village Theater Sunday evening April 19th, 1925 (5:46). Press reviews of Robeson’s’ singing voice (6:05) follow including his own words about his surprise over early success. Harry Belafonte makes a comment over Robeson’s’ desire to learn and understand music history from around the globe (7:29). Robeson’s’ voice bellows over red roses in Korea (9:02). He talks about the pentatonic scale and the unification communication with music provides (9:18). He discusses the study of “The Negro Spiritual” (10:11). Photographs surface of Robeson’s’ children (12:59). His time at Rutgers (13:27) include newspaper clippings over his performance as an athlete (13:33). KKK hoods pass on screen (13:50); racial climate in the US was tumultuous. He was barred from singing with school clubs (14:07) and was physically mutilated by teammates after trying out for the football team. Newspaper headlines gush over about the 1917 team (14:44). Wisconsin papers boast of a ‘Colored Star’ (15:12). He later enrolled in Columbia Law School (15:32) and took an apartment Harlem; at the time it was in its renaissance (15:36). The African Nationalist Movement pushes through streets (15:50). Neon lights scream the “Cotton Club” (16:14). This notorious club in the heart of Harlem employed black singers for white’s only audiences. Duke Ellington plays (16:17). W.B. Dubious (16:32) sits at his desk. Paul performed in films produced by Oscar Micheaux’s (16:49). Elsie and Robeson marry (17:07). Graduates, including Paul, of Columbia Law School appear in photograph (18:37) He ran into bias at the law firm he began working for and terminated his law career (19:00).

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com