Summary

SPIRITUALS - PRAYERS, RHYTHM AND ECSTASY

Source Archive Films by Getty Images
Title: SPIRITUALS - PRAYERS, RHYTHM AND ECSTASY
File Number: DWZ-2 Beta SP
Color: B W
Type: Music
Year: 1963
Subjects: Gospel, Christianity, Americana, Blacks, the South, churches, religion, spirituals, musicians, preachers, Louis Overstreet, sermons, Revival meetings, faith healers, Baptists, rituals, trances, King Narcisse, Louis Overstreet, choirs, choruses, Phoenix, Arizona, Oakland, California, New Orleans, Louisiana
Description: 10:00:00:12 - 10:22:30:16 B W Sound 1963 German documentary about American Christian religious music, particularly in the Southern US Focuses on African-American spirituals, the development of gospel, as well as a short look at white Baptist gospel music. Includes excellent revival meetings, church services, choirs, and preachers. 10:00:00:12 - 10:01:44:17 B W Sound 1963 Title: "Fifty Stars of Music" ("50 Sterne in Musik"). Spiritual music. American flag waving in sky. African American gospel music. Credits appear over male singing group New Orleans Harmonizers quintet singing gospel song in studio. One member playing guitar. Reflection in window shows double image. CU faces, musical instruments, shadows. 10:01:44:18 - 10:02:52:12 B W Sound 1963 Nashville, Tennessee. White spirituals. White vocal quartet harmonizing while singing upbeat spiritual song on stage w piano accompaniment. "I've got that feeling in my soul" 10:02:52:13 - 10:05:51:13 B W Sound 1963 Tucson, Arizona. Gospel music street performance. People loitering on street in front of shops. Street preacher Reverend Louis Overstreet playing electric guitar & singing while performing w singers on sidewalk. CUs African American & Hispanic spectators. Black woman dancing. Sings two songs. Three boys singing harmonies at separate microphone. SOUND: song continues over next sequence 10:05:51:14 - 10:07:05:04 B W Sound 1963 Tent revival meeting, California. SOUND: carry over of Rev. Overstreet singing. Advertisement on side of bus reads: "A.A. Allen Salvation Healing Miracle Revivals." African Americans arriving & entering tent. White faith healer Brother Davies pacing & dancing while shouting sermon to small group in otherwise empty tent. Impassioned evangelists. 10:07:05:05 - 10:08:36:17 B W Sound 1963 Black gospel preacher, Phoenix, Arizona. Preacher singing gospel song & waving arms on stage. Jesus painting in BG. Cut to White revival meeting, California. Faith healer Brother Davies touching people on forehead. They fall backwards to ground. Woman kneeling & shaking head in religious fervor. VS white & black people lying on their backs in trance. Holy rollers, Zealots. 10:08:36:18 - 10:09:39:09 B W Sound 1963 Alabama: spiritual instrumental band in Black Baptist church. Band performing inside church, with saxophone, trumpets, and drums. People dancing. Children & elderly look on. Faith healer touching women on forehead while preaching. Religious fervor, rituals. 10:09:39:17 - 10:10:32:23 B W Sound 1963 Phoenix, Arizona: African American slums. Men walking on street. Field w old tires and other garbage. Back door of dilapidated shacks. Poverty. Alleyways. Children playing on swing. Boys petting German shepherd dog behind wire fence. Children climbing on discarded appliances. Sounde: upright Jazz bass & cymbal. 10:10:32:24 - 10:15:35:16 B W Sound 1963 Phoenix, Arizona: Gospel song performed by choir in makeshift church. Reverend Louis Overstreet & choir master leading choir in singing "We Gonna Walk." Overstreet playing electric guitar. CUs congregation in pews. Women dancing & shaking. CUs people praying. Small boy plays washboard. Music rock 'n roll & blues influenced. Song is version of "Workin' on my Bill." Excitement, religious fervor, exuberance. Excellent. 10:15:35:17 - 10:18:28:10 B W Sound 1963 Oakland, California. Gospel song performed at African American Mt. Zion Spiritual Temple. "Bishop" King Narcisse makes royal arrival, steps out of car onto carpet, has hand kissed. He performs "Let it Shine" w others parading through church. CUs parishioners singing. Narcisse at pulpit in clerical robes & cap. Women in congregation wearing white turbans & white gowns. 10:18:28:11 - 10:20:01:21 B W Sound 1963 African American choir singing gospel song, Ebenezer Baptist Church, New Orleans, Louisiana. CU church's neon sign. Man & boy arriving at church. Choir master leading choir through song. 10:20:01:22 - 10:22:30:16 B W Sound 1963 African American woman singing spiritual solo. Woman singing "Surely" accompanied by female organist & choir. CU hands of female pianist. CU singer w her eyes closed.
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