MIDNIGHT SHADOW (1939) Frances Redd, Buck Woods & Richard Bates | Mystery, Black Cinema | B&W

Midnight Shadow is a 1939 film with an all African-American cast. It was directed and produced by George Randol, who was also African American.

SYNOPSIS
The mind-reading Prince Alihabad courts a girl from Oklahoma played by Frances E. Redd. Her parents want to make her happy, but they do not like that Alihabad worships Allah. A killer is on the loose and locals fear that it might be Alihabad.

In a quiet, all-black Oklahoma community live the Wilsons, whose pretty daughter Margaret is courted by awkward Buster and suave stage mentalist Prince Alihabad. On one busy night, Mr. Wilson shows his valuables to Alihabad, who plans to elope with Margaret; a mysterious man hangs around while another burglarizes the house; and someone murders Mr. Wilson! Will the killer be caught by the police, or by bumbling correspondence-school detective Junior Lingley?

CAST & CREW
Frances Redd as Margaret Wilson
Buck Woods as Lightfoot
Richard Bates as Jr. Lingley
Clinton Rosemond as Mr. Dan Wilson
Jesse Lee Brooks as Sergeant Ramsey
Edward Brandon as Buster Barnett
Ollie Ann Robinson as Mrs. Emma Wilson
Laurence Criner (billed as John Criner) as Prince Alihabad
Pete Webster (actor) as John Mason
Ruby Dandridge as Mrs. Lingley
Napoleon Simpson as Mr. Ernest Lingley

Directed by George Randol
Written by George Randol
Screenplay by Arthur Reed
Produced by George Randol
Cinematography Arthur Reed
Edited by Robert Jahns
Music by Johnny Lange, Lew Porter
Production company George Randol Productions
Distributed by
Release date 1939
Running time 54 min
Country United States
Language English