Ireland Thomas

Damon Ireland Thomas
Born(1875-08-16)August 16, 1875
Houma, Louisiana
Died1955(1955-00-00) (aged 79–80)
OccupationsEntertainment writer and critic
Era1920s
EmployerThe Chicago Defender
Known forReviews of Black film, music and theatre

Damon Ireland Thomas (1875-1955) was an American stage performer, newspaper columnist, and theater manager.[1] An influential film critic, he wrote for The Chicago Defender in 1920s, reviewing Black film and events at African American theaters.[1][2][3]

Thomas managed the successful Lincoln Theater in Charleston, South Carolina, which served African American audiences from 1922 until his death in 1955.[3][4][5] He also managed the Bijou Theater in Tampa, Florida and another theater in Atlanta, Georgia.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Inventory of the Various Small Collections, 1786 - 2011, and undated (0040. Damon George Thomas and Damon Ireland Thomas)". Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  2. ^ Lupack, Barbara (May 26, 2016). Early Race Filmmaking in America. Routledge. ISBN 9781317434245 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ a b "African American Historic Places in South Carolina: Addendum 2019 – 2020" (PDF). State Historic Preservation Office, South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  4. ^ "Inventory of the Various Small Collections, 1786 - 2011, and undated (0040. Damon George Thomas and Damon Ireland Thomas)". Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  5. ^ "Lincoln Theater". Charleston Preservation Society. Retrieved August 13, 2021.