Oscar Polk (1899 - 1949)

Born 25 Dec 1899 in Marianna, Lee, Arkansas, United States

Died 4 Jan 1949 at age 49 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States

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Biography

Oscar Polk is a part of US Black heritage.

Oscar Polk is Notable.

Oscar Polk stands out as a notable figure in the realms of stage and screen, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment industry in the 1930s and early 1940s. Despite the limited information available about his life, his breakthrough role as Gabriel in the 1935 Broadway production of The Green Pastures catapulted him to Hollywood success. His versatility, demonstrated in films like Gone with the Wind (1939) and Cabin in the Sky (1943), showcased his ability to transcend stereotypical roles for African-American actors of his time. Oscar Polk played a crucial role in challenging societal norms, contributing to the discussion on all-black productions that featured African-American talent, a significant and controversial endeavor during that era. His untimely death in 1949, struck by a taxi in Times Square, marked the end of a career that could further reshape perceptions in the evolving landscape of racial representation in the arts.^[1]

Oscar Polk, born on December 25, 1899, in Marianna, Lee County, Arkansas^[2], was the son of James K. and Silva Polk.^[3] In 1918, he found himself in the bustling streets of New York City, New York County, New York.

During World War I, Oscar served valiantly in the United States Army.^[4] By 1925, he had established himself in New York City.^[5][6] In 1930, his residence was on Edgecombe Avenue in Manhattan, New York County, where he worked as a chauffeur for a private family.^[7]

Despite his extensive contributions to movies, radio, and theater during the 1930s and early 1940s, Oscar Polk remained a somewhat enigmatic figure.^[8] His breakthrough moment arrived in 1935, when he portrayed Gabriel in the Broadway production of The Green Pastures. This success propelled him to Hollywood, where he reprised the role in the 1936 screen adaptation directed by William Keighley.^[9][10][11]

Oscar's involvement in Oscar Micheaux's Underworld (1936) showcased his versatility, presenting a departure from his typical Hollywood comic servant image.^[9][10] On June 30, 1938, he entered a new chapter in his life by marrying Ivy Parsons in Manhattan, New York County, New York.^[3][12]

Notable moments in his filmography include significant roles in Gone with the Wind (1939) and Cabin in the Sky (1943).^[9][13][14] In the 1940 census, he was listed as residing on 174th Street in New York City, Queens County, identifying himself as an actor.^[8]

The era in which Oscar Polk thrived was marked by controversy surrounding all-black productions that showcased African-American talent, challenging societal norms. The Green Pastures faced criticism, with Reverend F. Langton expressing concern about divine judgment befalling the country if the film was allowed. Similar challenges persisted for African-American commercial films in the late 1960s and early 1970s.^[10]

Oscar's presence graced both stage and screen, featuring in productions such as It's a Great Life! (1935), The Green Pastures (1936), Underworld (1937), Big Town Czar, Gone With the Wind (1939), The Notorious Elinor Lee (1940), and Cabin in the Sky (1943).^[9][15]

Tragically, Oscar Polk's life was cut short when he was struck by a taxi in Times Square, New York City, on January 4, 1949.^[2] He found his final resting place at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Maspeth, Queens County, New York, leaving behind a legacy that endures through his contributions to the arts.^[16]

Sources

1. ↑ Wikipedia contributors. Oscar Polk. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. November 4, 2023, 13:08 UTC. Available at: Oscar Polk. Accessed January 16, 2024.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Wilson, Scott. Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d Ed.. United States: McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. "Resting Places - The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d Ed.." Accessed 16 Jan 2024.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} New York, New York, Index to Marriage Licenses, 1908-1910, 1938-1940: New York City Department of Records & Information Services; New York City, New York; New York City Marriage Licenses; Borough: Manhattan; Year: 1938 Ancestry Record 61788 #185818
4. ↑ U.S., Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940: Ancestry.com. U.S., Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT. USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2019. Original data: United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2019. Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917 - 9/16/1940. NAI 76193916. Record Group 15: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773 - 2007. National Archives at St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. Ancestry Record 61861 #5204256
5. ↑ New York, U.S., State Census, 1925: New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1925; Election District: 24; Assembly District: 19; City: New York; County: New York; Page: 13 Ancestry Record 2704 #17630167
6. ↑ U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918: Registration State: New York; Registration County: New York Ancestry Record 6482 #1458470
7. ↑ 1930 United States Federal Census: Year: 1930; Census Place: Manhattan, New York, New York; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 1053; FHL microfilm: 2341313 Ancestry Record 6224 #41660748
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} 1940 United States Federal Census: Year: 1940; Census Place: New York, Queens, New York; Roll: m-t0627-02744; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 41-1237 Ancestry Record 2442 #3868037
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3} Institute, American Film., Hanson, Patricia King. The 1931-1940: American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in the United States: Feature Films. United Kingdom: University of California Press, 1993. "The 1931-1940: American Film Institue Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in the United States." Accessed 16 Jan 2024.
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2} Manchel, Frank. Every Step a Struggle: Interviews with Seven who Shaped the African-American Image in Movies. United States: New Academia Publishing, 2007. "Every Step a Struggle - Interviews with Seven who Shaped the African-American Image in Movies." Accessed 16 Jan 2024.
11. ↑ Movie Review, The Green Pastures, The Victoria Daily Times, Victori, British Columbia, Canada, 8 Aug 1936, Sat. - Page 28. Newspapers Clip: 138902707, Accessed 16 Jan 2024.
12. ↑ New York, New York, U.S., Marriage License Indexes, 1907-2018: New York City Municipal Archives; New York, New York; Borough: Manhattan; Volume Number: 6 Ancestry Record 61406 #805576
13. ↑ Polk Signed to Play Servant in Screen's 'Gonge With The Wind', The Omaha Guide, Omaha, Nebraska, 31 Dec 1938, Sat. - Page 3. Newspapers Clip: 138902939, Accessed 16 Jan 2024.
14. ↑ Oscar Polk in Role of 'Pork' in 'Gone With The Wind', California Eagle, Los Angeles, California, 22 Dec 1938, Thu. - Page 14. Newspapers Clip: 87344525, Accessed 16 Jan 2024.
15. ↑ Cochran, Robert., McCray, Suzanne. Lights! Camera! Arkansas! From Broncho Billy to Billy Bob Thornton. United States: University of Arkansas Press, 2015. "Lights! Camera! Arkansas!, From Broncho Billy to Billy Bob Thornton." Accessed 16 Jan 2024.
16. ↑ U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current: Ancestry.com. U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Original data: Find a Grave. Find a Grave®. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi. Ancestry Record 60525 #12569865

See Also

• Wikidata: Item Q3357030