Within Our Gates
(1920)
Directed by Oscar Micheaux 
Cast:
Evelyn Preer ... Sylvia Landry 
Flo Clements ... Alma Prichard 
James D. Ruffin ... Conrad Drebert 
Jack Chenault ... Larry Prichard 
William Smith ... Detective Philip Gentry 
Charles D. Lucas ... Dr. V. Vivian 
Bernice Ladd ... Mrs. Geraldine Stratton 
Mrs. Evelyn ... Mrs. Elena Warwick 
William Stark ... Jasper Landry 
Mattie Edwards ... Jasper's Wife 
Ralph Johnson ... Philip Gridlestone 
E.G. Tatum ... Efram, Gridlestone's Servant 
Grant Edwards ... Emil Landry 
Grant Gorman ... Armand Gridlestone 
Leigh Whipper 
Jimmie Cook
It tells a story about the African-American race in the early 1900's. Even then it was recognized that education was the key for blacks to move ahead. However, getting the funds for schools was a different story. Unless the reverend can raise $5,000 to supplement the $1.49 per child per year that the state supplies, the school will be closed. Sylvia goes up north to try to raise the money and has little success, but meets kindly negro, Dr. V. Vivian, who helps her regain her stolen purse. When she saves a child from being hit by an auto, the owner of the car is philanthropist Mrs. Elena Warwick, who is sympathetic to her quest and promises to donate the $5,000 to the school. Her bigoted southern friend, Mrs. Stratton, tries to talk her out of thedonation, and Mrs. Warwick gets so incensed she raises the amount to $50,000. Her job done, Sylvia returns to Piney Woods.

78 Minutes