Richard Edward Norman (1891-1960) was a white director and producer of early all-Black “race” films during the silent era. From 1919 to 1928, his company Norman Studios was one of the most successful producers in the emerging market for Black-cast race films, self-distributing shorts and features like Green-Eyed Monster (1919), The Bull-Dogger (1921), The Crimson Skull (1921), Regeneration (1923), and the company’s most successful and only surviving film, The Flying Ace (1926). Norman’s films were known for their quick production times and ability to turn a profit, and Norman focused his efforts on distributing both his films and the work of other producers like Oscar Micheaux across the United States. Norman’s studio ceased production with the transition to talkies in the late 1920s, but he continued distributing movies such as Joe Louis fights and films featuring performers like Lena Horne.

The Richard E. Norman and Race Filmmaking Collection consists of studio records and materials graciously donated to the BFC/A by Norman’s son Richard Norman, Jr. These include: personal and professional correspondences; production stills, lithographs, and negatives from several of Norman’s films; detailed accounts of all of Norman Studio’s screenings, including contracts, box office receipts, and travel expenses; publicity artifacts like lobby cards, hand bills, title cards, posters, press sheets and programs; and materials relating to censorship issues that the studio faced.

Of particular interest are the Home Talent Movie Picture Programs. Norman’s movies traveled the country and often featured local performers and locations. Using some stock footage and a short script, Norman would recruit local talent and then intercut footage into the movie with real citizens cast in the roles. Programs were then made, including a photo specific to that city's film and a listing of all people used in the film. These programs represent a rare snapshot of local Black performers and communities in the early part of the 20th century which may not otherwise have been documented or preserved.

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