Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. (Part 1)

Duration: 12:00

Year Published: 1977

Creator: Phoenix/ BFA Films & Video (PHENIX)

Complete Record: Subject: A controversial man and black congressman, who was charming, a brilliant speaker and one of the black militants who fought oppression and injustice in America. Shots: Speaks with many microphones in front of him and the American flag behind him. In Baptist church narrator speaks of the black congressman. Adam is interviewed, he tells of his childhood, a few pictures are shown. The camera stays on Mr. Powell most of the time and for a long time while he speaks. Photos of him speaking, graduating, footage of him giving speeches. “On strike”, street scenes (Harlem). Outside capitol photo. Hazel Scott (his wife) speaks wearing pearls. Early footage of them and their wedding. Inside Congress. Hazel speaks of “the magic word: nigger”. He refers to Sam Rayburn, House of Representatives. Still shots of Adam with other Congressmen. Chairman Landrum. Committee on Education and Labor. Footage of him smoking in Congress. Commencement speech. Has a mustache. Civil Rights Movement. 1955 Indonesia Meeting. Speaks out against lack of foreign policy with the far east. Standing ovation on floor of congress. Civil Rights Bill gathering at Lincoln Monument. Harry Belafonte and Martin Luther King Jr. are there. Refers to his book and the 50 new laws put through under his chairmanship.