Where to watch · United States

Not on any service here yet.

The Constitution and the Right to Vote (1959)

Directed by Stephen L. Sharff

Documentary · 29m

Follows the efforts to gain the right to vote for Negroes through a succession of legal decision and social changes. Dramatizes the case of Smith vs. Allwright et al. Reviews the long conflict to extend voting rights to a large electorate beginning with the Constitutional Convention's compromise over dropping property requirements through and including the enactment of the 15th and 19th Amendments to the Constitution. Cites legal precedents established by the U.S. Supreme Court through their decisions concerning the control of state primaries in 1918 and 1935 and the later reversals in 1941 and 1944. Points to the issues involved in Federal encroachment upon state's rights.

Rate it first

No account needed. Others' takes stay sealed until you rate.

?/10

Cast

D
Dr. L. E. Smith Himself
R
R. R. Grovey Himself
T
Thurgood Marshall Himself
W
W. J. Durham Himself Robert Trout Narrator

Crew

Director
Stephen L. Sharff
Writer
Erik Barnouw, Herbert Wechsler
Producer
Stephen L. Sharff

Details

Release date
1959-01-01
Runtime
29m
Genres
Documentary
Original language
EN
Spoken languages
English
Countries
United States of America
Production
NET, Columbia University Center for Mass Communication