The Wizard of Oz 1925. Spencer Bell. Curtis McHenry. Who was G Howe Black?
When L. Frank Baum wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz published in 1900, he probably never imagined how successful his book would be. It became a Broadway musical and had a number of film adaptations. The 1939 film starring Judy Garland has been seen by virtually anyone who owns a television set. Some years ago I found a 1925 black and white silent version on DVD. Oliver Hardy, later to become famous as Laurel and Hardy, is the Tin Man however, what interested me most about this version was that a black actor was playing the Lion. Online the part is credited to Spencer Bell but also Curtis McHenry depending on where you look. Both had been known by the stage name G. Howe Black . Unfortunately neither Bell or McHenry are listed at the beginning of the film. I have tried to find out how and why they were both G. Howe Black but could find no indisputable explanation, therefore I name them both in this piece with their attributed pictures. ...