Black History Month Special Film Screening: Harlem on the Prairie

The Briscoe Western Art Museum will show a special screening of “Harlem on the Prairie” starring Herb Jeffries. Considered the first “All-Black” western musical, Harlem on the Prairie put the spotlight on black actors highlighting the black cowboys of the west! Print Courtesy of the Academy Film Archive.

Herb Jeffries was an American singer and actor. When coming up with the idea for “Harlem on the Prairie” he aimed to create a character that young black children could look up to. After the success of the film, Jeffries continued his role as the protagonist in three more western films starring all black casts.

The Academy Museum recently restored “Harlem on the Prairie”, a film that was unavailable for a long time, and even considered to be a “lost film” by some.

Ronald Davis will give an introduction to the film as well as a presentation discussing the history of Black Cowboys.

The film is included with general museum admission and FREE for museum members.