Blackface?

[Leaf]

Has there ever been a movie where black actors were in blackface?

[o8jedi]

It'd be redundant for black actors to be in blackface, so no.

But there have been movies where white actors have used blackface. One of the more notable ones is The Jazz Singer (1927, Crosland) starring Al Jolson. Jolson himself was already famous on the vaudeville circuit for performing in blackface and, in this film, plays a Jewish entertainer who dons it for his performances.

The story, however, is not about blackface. Jolson's character becomes estranged from his cantor father when he refuses to go into that line of work, instead becoming a jazz singer. When he finds out that his father is dying, he returns home to try and make amends.

A lot has been written about the use of blackface in that movie and a quick little synopsis can be found here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jazz_Singer_%281927_film%29#Critical_analysis

[Leaf]

I have just been informed by /tv/ that there was a movie which features a plot of black actors donning blackface makeup.

[o8jedi]

Learn something new everyday.

And I'm both surprised and not surprised that Spike Lee directed this.