Black Film Center/Archive

U-Carmen (2005) - Musical, 122 min., DVD, dir: Mark Dornford-May.

U.S. Marshals (1998) - In this sequel to The Fugitive, the U. S. Marshal Sam Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones) is after Mark Sheridan (Wesley Snipes), a prisoner who has allegedly killed two Federal agents, and escapes after a plane crash. Gerard begins to wonder why Sheridan is so important for the government, while Sheridan resolves to find out who turned him in. Action, 131 min., VHS, dir: Stuart Baird.

Ujima: Modupe and the Flood (1975) - This animated short is based on the East African tale, "Modupe and the Flood." An old healer named Modupe indirectly saves the village during a flood as a result of the villagers running to his house because they think his home is burning. Thus, the villagers save their lives while the flood hits the village. 'Ujima' is an East African word that refers to sharing the work of building a community. Drama, 5 min., 16mm, dir: Todd Flinchbaugh.

Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives (2003) - Among the tasks undertaken by the Work Projects Administration's (WPA) Federal Writers' Project in the 1930s was to transcribe the memories of former African-American slaves who were still living. In the film, famous black actors and actresses read from these transcripts; the narratives are complemented by photographs of the years 1850-1935. Documentary, 75 min., DVD, dir: Ed Bell & Thomas Lennon.

Uncle Tom and Little Eva (1931) - Children, 7 min., VHS, dir: n/a.

Uncle Tom's Cabana (1947) - Cartoon version of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Drama, 9 min., 16mm, dir: Tex Avery.

Uncle Tom's Cabin (1903) - A string of animated tableaux with painted backdrops, cakewalk, and various theatrical illusions; the film preserves the style of early popular American theatre. Edwin S. Porter plays Uncle Tom in blackface. Drama, 13 min., VHS, dir: Edwin S. Porter.

Uncle Tom's Cabin (1914) - This version stars Sam Lucas (said to be "the first black man to have a leading role in films") as Tom and has some black stage actors in the cast. Drama, 43 min., 16mm, dir: William Robert Daley.

Uncle Tom's Cabin (1927) - James B. Lowe plays Uncle Tom in this second version of Mrs. Stowe's novel which Harry Pollard made, the first with a black actor in the role. The film contains a baptismal scene not heretofore seen and was later reissued (1958) with a prologue by Raymond Massey. Drama, 144 min., VHS, dir: Harry A. Pollard.

Uncle Tom's Cabin (1965) - Released in 1965 in West Germany, U.S. opening 1969. Another version of Uncle Tom's Cabin with John Kitzmiller in the title role. This one ends with a slave revolt and escape to safety. Drama, 118 min., VHS, dir: Geza von Radvanyi.

Uncle Tom's Cabin (1987) - Harriet Beecher Stowe's timeless classic about slavery and redemption in the pre-Civil War South comes to life in this vivid and dramatic adaptation featuring Avery Brooks as Uncle Tom. Drama, 108 min., VHS, dir: Stan Latham.

Uncle Tom's Uncle (1926) - The gang reenacts Uncle Tom's Cabin. Joe is Uncle Tom in blackface; Farina is Topsy. Allen Hoskins stars as Farina and Jannie Hoskins stars as Mango. Comedy, 15 min., 8mm, dir: Robert F. McGowen.

Underground Railroad (1999) - The Underground Railroad was a network of people and hiding places that helped slaves escape the American South. It stretched from the South into the northern states, Canada, the western frontier, and Cuba and the Caribbean. This film is about the people--from all walks of life--who risked their fortunes and lives to oppose slavery. Documentary, 100 min., DVD, dir: n/a.

Underworld (1937) - Story of a young man, graduate of a Southern black college, who becomes a part of the Chicago underworld. Drama, 95 min., VHS, 3/4", dir: Oscar Micheaux.

Unforgettable Nat King Cole, The (1989) - The film documents the biography of Nat King Cole with clips from his television show, early film footage, and interviews with family, fellow musicians, and friends. Documentary, 92 min., VHS, dir: Alan Lewens.

Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (2004) -- The colorful life and career of one of the most controversial sports figures of the early twentieth century and the first black Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World, Jack Johnson, is presented in this documentary. Premiered at the 2004 Telluride Film Festival. Documentary, 214 min., DVD, dir: Ken Burns.

Unknown Genius: The Savant Syndrome (1983) - CBS' "60 Minutes" investigates the extraordinary talents of three mentally handicapped individuals, including Alonzo Clemons who can sculpt animals in a matter of seconds. Documentary, 16 min., 16mm, dir: n/a.

Uno's World (2001) - The fims portrays Uno (Sophie David), a young Namibian woman, who faces serious responsibilities after falling in love with Kaura (Muhindua Kaura), a man who does not want commitment. The feature is the first part of the compilation Mama Africa, the other two being Hang Time (directed by Ngozi Onwurah) and Raya (Zulfa Otto-Sallies). Drama, 26 min., DVD, dir: Bridget Pickering.

Untold West, The: The Black West (1993) - Narrated by Danny Glover and produced by William Miles, Nina Rosenblum's film explores the largely untold story of the contributions of African Americans in the building of the American West. It is one episode of the "The Untold West" series. Documentary, 49 min., VHS, dir: Nina Rosenblum.

Up in the Air (1940) - One of a series of films in which Frankie (Frankie Darro) and his friend/helper Jefferson (Mantan Moreland) track down the bad guys. One scene includes a comedy routine with the two in which Darro is in blackface. Comedy, 62 min., DVD, dir: Howard P. Bretherton.

Uptown Saturday Night (1974) - Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby are robbed of a lottery ticket worth $50,000. To regain the ticket they end up in partnership with Harry Belafonte as a black version of The Godfather. Comedy, 103 min., 16mm, dir: Sidney Poitier.

Urban Crossfire (1992) - Action, 95 min., VHS, dir: Dick Lowry.