The Railroad Porter (1912)

Interesting facts

The Railroad Porter, also released as The Pullman Porter, is a film produced by The Foster Photoplay Company that was released in 1912 or 1913. It was the film company's first release and one of the earliest American films produced by African Americans.

Background

It features stars from the Pekin Theatre's stock company. The company toured the film in the south along with its film The Fall Guy and Lottie Grady reportedly sang during the reel changing intermission.

The Railroad Porter was written, filmed, edited, and premiered in 1913. It was the first film produced and directed by an African American and featured an African American cast. It included depictions of an African American middle class.

Many of the actors showcased in The Railroad Porter were recognizable faces in days of black vaudeville. Lottie Grady, who was a former member of the Pekin stock company, played the wife in the film. Cassie Burch Slaughter played the 'Wife's Friend', Kid Brown played the 'Railroad Porter', Edgar Ellison played 'The Waiter', and Bell Coles played 'Police Officer'.

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