THE ROAD HOME

Year Published: 1930

Description: Dating to 1930 and considered lost, "The Road Home" by Forbes Randolph is a short all Black cast musical. It stars J. Arthur Gaines, R.M. Caver, Hinton Jones, Augustus Simons, Archie Cross, William Veasy, and Arthur Payne. It features the Kentucky Singers. The Kentucky Singers consisted of Robert Caver and Augustus Simons, with Edward Coleman as pianist. The group made four shorts: "Pickin' Cotton" (released December 13, 1930); "The Road Home" (November 1930); "Slave Days" (December 1930); "Welcome Home" (December 12, 1930). In this emotionally charged short film, a group of Black soldiers waits anxiously in a dugout on the eve of a World War I battle. As they wrestle with fear, superstition, and the uncertainty of war, their conversation turns philosophical, reflecting on the meaning of life, death, hatred, and duty. Some try to distract themselves with card games or humor, while others find solace in prayer and spiritual songs. When orders come to capture prisoners, they charge into battle. Afterward, one soldier, Shorty, is found gravely wounded but heroically holding three enemy prisoners alone. As he lies dying, his comrades gather around him in prayer and song, mourning his sacrifice and finding a solemn moment of unity and reverence in the face of war’s harsh reality. Note: More than 370,000 African Americans served in the U.S. Army during WWI, although they were often relegated to support roles and segregated units. Despite facing discrimination and prejudice, many African American soldiers served with distinction, some even earning honors from the French military. Forbes Randolph was a director, producer, and sketch writer known for his work in theatrical productions, particularly in the 1930s. He is credited with directing and producing the musical revue "Fast and Furious" which ran on Broadway in 1931 0:00 – 1:06 Soldiers sing a spiritual song ("Lay Down by the River"), setting a somber, reflective tone before battle. 1:30 – 2:13: Soldiers discuss superstition, fear, and their watches stopping—highlighting tension and nervous anticipation. 2:13 – 3:02 :They try to steady their nerves with small talk and music. A spiritual leader offers calming words and encouragement. 3:09 – 4:09 :Soldiers pass time waiting for orders. They reflect on fear, war, and the strangeness of killing people they don’t know. 4:09 – 5:13 :The conversation turns philosophical—what it means "to be," the nature of war, and fear of death. Some distract themselves with cards. 5:13 – 6:00: The discussion deepens around hatred, morality, and confusion about why they're fighting—existential questioning before battle. 6:00 – 7:03: Tension escalates as arguments break out. The men anxiously wait for the order to go. A call comes in from the Major. 7:03 – 8:06 :They receive final instructions: bring back prisoners. More spiritual songs follow as the soldiers prepare to go “over the top.” 9:32 – 10:25: After the raid, the soldiers return. One is missing—Shorty. One soldier rushes out to find him. 10:25 – 11:31: A powerful prayer and gospel song is sung while they hope for Shorty’s return, blending faith and fear. 12:24 – 13:09: Shorty is brought back, injured but alive, having captured three prisoners. He’s praised and promised a medal. 13:15 – 14:02: The men reflect on how much they’ve aged in a day. They speak of home, faith, and survival. 14:02 – 15:21 :Spiritual singing continues ("Jesus Keep Your Hand on the Handle of the Gate"). It becomes clear that Shorty is dying. 15:21 – 16:00 :A moving farewell as Shorty dies. His buddy mourns him deeply. 16:00 – End: The scene closes with music and a sense of spiritual transcendence, honoring the sacrifice and grief of war.

Complete Record: Dating to 1930 and considered lost, "The Road Home" by Forbes Randolph is a short all Black cast musical. It stars J. Arthur Gaines, R.M. Caver, Hinton Jones, Augustus Simons, Archie Cross, William Veasy, and Arthur Payne. It features the Kentucky Singers. The Kentucky Singers consisted of Robert Caver and Augustus Simons, with Edward Coleman as pianist. The group made four shorts: "Pickin' Cotton" (released December 13, 1930); "The Road Home" (November 1930); "Slave Days" (December 1930); "Welcome Home" (December 12, 1930). In this emotionally charged short film, a group of Black soldiers waits anxiously in a dugout on the eve of a World War I battle. As they wrestle with fear, superstition, and the uncertainty of war, their conversation turns philosophical, reflecting on the meaning of life, death, hatred, and duty. Some try to distract themselves with card games or humor, while others find solace in prayer and spiritual songs. When orders come to capture prisoners, they charge into battle. Afterward, one soldier, Shorty, is found gravely wounded but heroically holding three enemy prisoners alone. As he lies dying, his comrades gather around him in prayer and song, mourning his sacrifice and finding a solemn moment of unity and reverence in the face of war’s harsh reality. Note: More than 370,000 African Americans served in the U.S. Army during WWI, although they were often relegated to support roles and segregated units. Despite facing discrimination and prejudice, many African American soldiers served with distinction, some even earning honors from the French military. Forbes Randolph was a director, producer, and sketch writer known for his work in theatrical productions, particularly in the 1930s. He is credited with directing and producing the musical revue "Fast and Furious" which ran on Broadway in 1931 0:00 – 1:06 Soldiers sing a spiritual song ("Lay Down by the River"), setting a somber, reflective tone before battle. 1:30 – 2:13: Soldiers discuss superstition, fear, and their watches stopping—highlighting tension and nervous anticipation. 2:13 – 3:02 :They try to steady their nerves with small talk and music. A spiritual leader offers calming words and encouragement. 3:09 – 4:09 :Soldiers pass time waiting for orders. They reflect on fear, war, and the strangeness of killing people they don’t know. 4:09 – 5:13 :The conversation turns philosophical—what it means "to be," the nature of war, and fear of death. Some distract themselves with cards. 5:13 – 6:00: The discussion deepens around hatred, morality, and confusion about why they're fighting—existential questioning before battle. 6:00 – 7:03: Tension escalates as arguments break out. The men anxiously wait for the order to go. A call comes in from the Major. 7:03 – 8:06 :They receive final instructions: bring back prisoners. More spiritual songs follow as the soldiers prepare to go “over the top.” 9:32 – 10:25: After the raid, the soldiers return. One is missing—Shorty. One soldier rushes out to find him. 10:25 – 11:31: A powerful prayer and gospel song is sung while they hope for Shorty’s return, blending faith and fear. 12:24 – 13:09: Shorty is brought back, injured but alive, having captured three prisoners. He’s praised and promised a medal. 13:15 – 14:02: The men reflect on how much they’ve aged in a day. They speak of home, faith, and survival. 14:02 – 15:21 :Spiritual singing continues ("Jesus Keep Your Hand on the Handle of the Gate"). It becomes clear that Shorty is dying. 15:21 – 16:00 :A moving farewell as Shorty dies. His buddy mourns him deeply. 16:00 – End: The scene closes with music and a sense of spiritual transcendence, honoring the sacrifice and grief of war.

Transcription

[Music] Mary from the Lord. [Music] [Music] lay down by the river. Down by the river, down by the river. Going to lay down by the river. going to study one no more One more stud. [Music] Oh god, if my watch ain't stopping me. That twice today has done that. Now what do you suppose that means? >> Oh, don't be so stupid. I know what I suppose it mean. It means you're going to try borrowing from me for a real watch. I suppose always kind of like this watch. >> You keep that all light, buddy. But unless you was lucky than what I is, ain't none of us going to need no watches after tonight. >> What's mad you? Scared? >> Scared? >> Oh no. What I got to be scared of? >> Go on. Look at you. Look at the way he's trembling. >> Who's trampling? >> I've got a chill. Every time I get to think about what I'm going to do with them bosshes tonight gets cold all over. >> I'll take it easy, shorty. There's even chances for all. >> That's right, Archie. No odds laid this time. >> Ah, what you time us. Didn't we come out here to win this war by passing on steady steady steady stand [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] what Satan Satan's a liar and a too. >> If you don't watch out, he'll conjure you. >> Don't mind what steady steady bre. [Music] >> What time is it anyway? I got 20 minutes, too. >> 20 minutes to what? What's the hour? What's the hour? It's the same hour that I asked you 2 minutes ago. >> 20 minutes more. >> 20 minutes? That ain't a long time, is it? >> Oh, I wish we could go and have it over with. So, what can we do to forget till we're called? There ain't nothing I can do to forget, Lonnie. I wish I could open my eyes and somebody tell me this war was a dream. Where are the cards? Let's get in the red hot game. Count me out. I can't win when I'm thinking so. >> Oh, this waiting is awful. Ain't it funny how you think you'll feel and then how different you do? >> Sure is. >> Gia, I feel empty like I ain't had a meal for a week. I'm full up. Something sticking in my throat. Like I took my dinner before my breakfast went down. I wonder what a fellow feels like when he don't. He don't feel it all. Just ain't. That's all. >> What do you mean just ain't? That's all. >> Well, if he don't feel tall, he ain't. Is he? Ain't what is he? >> Well, he ain't nothing. If he ain't, is he? >> Boy, you sure is right. You've got brains. You if you was anybody else but who I knows you, I wouldn't take you for nobody else but the same yourself as I got a strong you, the guy that helped lay out the plans for this war. Ain't what it ain't. Well, what ain't ain't. And there ain't no all what's you'll ever know for yourself what I'm trying to tell you when you ain't what you think you is after you're over the top tonight. >> Come on fellas cards are ready. >> Come on shorty. I want to win your whole month. You keep right off one. If I takes my last breath tonight, I'll take you with my roll right on me. >> Cut the cards out. >> Deal. When I was back home, all I could think of was what it would be like out here. But I never did think it would be like it is. Say, >> you ain't got nothing to worry about. You will come back. You will get back to join. You're too That baby don't play no favor. Fighting live tough when he get to you is gone. That's all. Well, I ain't going to worry until it's time. Me neither. >> It's a funny thing all this fighting. Did any of you fellas ever really hate anybody? >> Of course I've hated someone. I guess we've all hated sometimes. Somebody that you know. >> Of course, it was somebody I know. >> How am I going to hate them if I don't know him? >> But we don't know these high. >> Oh, Mark, you got to hate behind it. >> How you going to fight him if you don't? >> That's what I mean. Maybe if we didn't hate, there wouldn't be no reason to fight. And maybe they feel that way about it, too. It don't seem right to me. All this fighting and hating and not always knowing why. Say, what's the matter with you, fella? The way you go on, give me the creeps. We are here to fight and we got to do it. It don't matter the reason why, just so long as that's what they're here for. >> I don't know about that. I feel kind of funny about it. Going out there killing folks I don't even know. Ah, snap out of it. This ain't no time to ask questions. Say, if you don't like this army of your uncles, get an army of your own. War is war, baby. No, no, no, nobody knows. Come on. >> Yes, yes, yes. My lord, I will you keep away from here. What's going on between you two? Look kind of que to me. Are you tipping him off my hand? >> Have I said anything to him? >> How do I know what you say? >> Well, you got ears, ain't you? >> Oh, you don't always talk so close to here. There's a lot you can say and not speak. He don't say nothing when he do speak. >> Well, well, I'm saying something now. I'm telling you all right here. If we don't get to go and mine it quick, these feet of mine ain't going to take me far. >> Boy, they'll take you fur when you get going. >> Well, why don't we go? What are we waiting on? >> Just three more minutes, boys. >> Laughy, but my feet is heavy. >> Packs ready in case we need them when we get back. Are ready, sir? Answer that sauce. >> Yes. Oh yes, major. I see. We understand, sir. Thank you. Major Hardcourt says bring in as many prisoners as possible. Right. Now remember, boys, bring in as many prisoners as we can. We may get the information we want and that'll bring a nearer end to the war for all of us. >> They can end it this minute if they'll hold it up for me. >> Just a minute or two more, boys. >> Yes, sir. My peak show is heavy. [Music] Morning. Oh my morning. And the sun begin [Music] to walk. >> Find your places. Holy [Music] Lord, blood of holy Boy, I'm sure glad that's over with. Oh, we're getting kind of used to it, huh? >> Well, everybody gets back. Where's Shorty? >> I'm going. No, Bob. Ask my buddy. And if anybody gets a key, you can go out there and stop fighting for the snipers who get you short cash. I'll let me alone game. I'll get him a They'll get you. They'll get him, fellas. All you fellas afraid when your kids back home. But all you that has get out on your knees right here in this dugout now. And all you that ain't get down with us and pray like you never prayed before that the Lord will bring both of them back. Here the lamb are crying. Hear the lamb are crying. The lamb are crying. [Music] King. Oh Lord, I love thee. Thou dost know. Oh sheer mighty. Oh, give me grace to love thee more. Oh she be a mighty king [Music] of crying all lamb are crying all lamb are crying. [Music] She might not. Come here. Quick. Shorty was holding three prisoners out there all by himself. >> You'll be all right. Won't you short it? Bring me the blanket somewhere. There's some water. I think he's trying to save water. How is he, Archie? He's still breathing, Captain. Oh, crew. He'll get the cross for this. That sure was worth going for him. Three prisoners all by himself. >> Yes, sir. That's what I call making a showing. >> Oh, yes. He'll surely get the cross for this. >> Hear that, buddy? You hear that, Shorty? You're sure not going to get better. Captain said you get the cross for this. I feel like I've lived 10 years since we started. I can hardly believe we're back already. Some life, buddy. Here today and gone tomorrow. What next? I wonder. >> Archie. Archie. Yes, buddy. I believe in you, Shorty. Didn't we come out here to win this war together? Believe me, you give it to home. Old failed close gates [Music] coming [Music] from Jesus. Keep your hand on the handle of the gate. All should come in. Jesus said he didn't mind if I was a little [Music] glor Oh, [Music] can't you hear me? Surely, >> are you breathing, Arthur? Don't you don't mean by buddy bless. You are [Music] way [Music] [Music] [Music] away. He [Applause] [Music] angels. [Music] [Music] [Music]

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