TEN NIGHTS IN A BARROOM (1926)

Special Features: 100th Anniversary | Silent with recorded soundtrack

Based on the 1854 novel “Ten Nights in a Bar-room and What I Saw There” by Timothy Shay Arthur and the 1854 play by William W. Pratt, this key work of the Black silent period tells the provocative tale of the downward spiral of Joe Morgan, a man who turns to alcohol for escape. Soon he is completely out of control and devastates his friends and family in a series of violent explosions — but all hope is not lost. A tale of temperance, the film (the first of two adaptations to be released during the Prohibition period) features preeminent stage actor Charles Gilpin as Morgan, appearing here in one of his only film credits. He had previously originated the titular role in Eugene O’Neill’s play “The Emperor Jones” on Broadway, becoming the first Black American honored with an award from the Drama League. One section of the film has been lost, but the remainder is exquisite evidence of the period’s triumphs on the big screen. It is believed to be one of only two surviving films produced by the Colored Players Film Corporation of Philadelphia (1926–29) and was recently inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry. (Note courtesy of Indiana University Cinema.) DIR Roy Calnek; SCR from the play by William W. Pratt, based on the novel by Timothy Shay Arthur. U.S., 1926, b&w, 64 min. Silent with English intertitles. NOT RATED

Run Time: 64 Minutes

Opening Date: Friday, November 06, 2026

Genre: Silent drama

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