"The Flying Ace" Screening & Panel - A Juneteenth Celebration at the Tampa Theatre

Film Tampa Bay Presents

The Flying Ace (1926) 

with Live Organ Accompaniment by Dr. Steven Ball at the historic Tampa Theatre

a Juneteenth Celebration | Sunday, June 18th

This will be the first time the 1926 film will be accompanied by a live organist since its original theatrical run. The Norman Studios Silent Film Museum, Inc. is a nonprofit formed in 2007 to protect and preserve the history of silent film and to celebrate the African American experience, specifically the role of filmmaker Richard E. Norman in the early days of the movie industry. Norman was among the first to produce “race films,” starring black actors in positive, non-stereotypical roles. Richard Norman's reason for producing race films was not solely a business decision. Although the studio was filling a niche, Norman was also motivated by the state of race relations at the time and wanted to make a positive impact. 

Films such as The Flying Ace, that used an all-African American cast and were shown specifically to African American audiences, were known as "race films.” Norman Studios produced feature length and numerous short race films during the 1920s. The untapped black filmgoing market and the plethora of talented performers unable to get work in mainstream films led to the production of race films by Norman Studios. In 2021, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

This event is free and open to the public but registration is required. Click the ticket image to RSVP... 

... or cut & paste into your browser: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/3506632/the-flying-ace-1926-tampa-tampa-theatre