Uncle Tom's Cabin (1914 film)



Harriet Beecher Stowe published her great anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom's Cabin in 1852. Adapted for the stage in 1853, it was continuously performed in the U.S. well into the 20th century. "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was frequently adapted to movies after 1900, but always with white actors in the lead roles until this version in 1914, said to be the first feature-length American film that starred a black actor.

Sam Lucas — actor, musician, singer and songwriter — had become famous in the 19th century for his performances in vaudeville and minstrel shows produced by Charles Frohman. In 1878, Frohman achieved a breakthrough in American theatrical history when he staged a production of Uncle Tom's Cabin, featuring Lucas in the lead role. Thirty-six years later, Lucas was lured out of retirement by the World Producing Corp. to recreate his historic role on film and, in the process, set an important milestone in American movie history.

Uncle Tom's Cabin was added to the National Film Registry in 2012.