Black History Month: The Legacy of Duane Jones

In recognition of Black History Month, TVOC is going to focus on notable figures throughout horror history. Horror has not been a key place for diversity, but there is progress being made. These are the trailblazers that signified and enacted change in the genre. These figures made active progress to fight against harmful tropes and stereotypes that horror films have perpetuated. Therefore, we have to celebrate them and thank them for their work and impact.

The first one we will focus on is the man behind the first Black protagonist in a horror film: Duane Jones. Jones did more than just play Ben in Night of the Living Dead; he shaped his character the way he wanted to be. However, he never wanted to be remembered only for his first role, so let’s get into his life, career and legacy.

Life Before Night of the Living Dead

Duane Jones had quite the career before starring in Night of the Living Dead. He received his B.A. from the University of Pittsburg. He went on to be an exchange scholar in Niger and taught English at Long Island University. On top of this, he developed the English-language training programs for the Peace Corps and had a hand in developing the Harlem Preparatory School. He was the head of the English department once the school was operational.

10 Midnight Movies That Made History

In addition to his educational work, Jones was also heavily involved in theater and acting. He directed at the Maguire Theater at the New York State University and served as artistic director at the Richard Allen Center in New York City. He had many theater roles while in New York City. After many years and at age 31, he decided to take a knack at film auditions.

Night of the Living Dead: Ben

George A. Romero has been clear for several years; Duane Jones got the role because he was the best at the audition. There was initially no political agenda with Night of the Living Dead. It was originally written as a sci-fi movie with flesh eating aliens. The original concept of Ben was a blue collared truck driver–gruff, stern and surviving using brawn, not brains. However, after Jones nailed the audition, the image of Ben started to shift instantaneously. This started with the script.

Night of the Living Dead Cast and Crew - Duane Jones

Almost all of Ben’s lines were reworked by Duane Jones himself. With Jones’ expertise in theater and literature, Romero and co-writer John Russo gladly gave over the reins. With these reworkings comes nuance and depth to Ben’s character, all of which was completed by Jones’ acting and expression. Instead of the original rough-and-tough trucker, we got a layered, complex protagonist who was aware of his Blackness in a late 1960s setting. The way that Ben was rewritten in conjunction with the original ending Romero and Russo wrote led Night of the Living Dead to accumulate a social justice message as time went on.

Ganja and Hess: The Age of Blaxploitation

Years after his pivotal role in Night of the Living Dead, Jones went continued his work in the education and theater scene. He got his master’s in communications during the filming of Night of the Living Dead. His next starring role was in a Blaxploitation film written and directed by Bill Gunn known as Ganja and Hess. If that name sounds familiar, Spike Lee recently remade this film as Da Sweet Blood of Jesus and experimental hip hop group Clipping. developed their album “There Existed an Addiction to Blood” around the film.

Duane Jones in Ganja and Hess

Duane Jones played Dr. Hess Green, who is stabbed with an ancient dagger by his unstable assistant. Due to the stab, he is turned in to a blood craving vampire. Ganja is the assistant’s wife, who is widowed soon after the maiming. Hess is quickly infatuated with her and determined to turn her so they can be together. Both Jones and his co-star Marlene Clark knock their respective roles out of the park. The vampirism in this movie is a brilliant metaphor for addiction, it comes through in both of the tragic protagonists. In the few films Jones’ starred in, this is one of his breakout roles.

His Later Career: Losing Ground, Vampires, TO Die FOR

While Losing Ground is not a horror film, it needs mentioning when discussing Duane Jones and Black film history in general. Losing Ground was the first feature film directed by a Black woman since the 1920s and was recently selected for preservation by the Library of Congress. After Losing Ground, Jones focused primarily on theater. He worked heavily with the Black Theater Alliance to promote work around New York City. His last two films were two other vampire flicks in which he carries but weren’t truly notable: Vampires and To Die For.

Kathleen Collins's Lost Masterwork, “Losing Ground” | The New Yorker

Duane Jones died suddenly due to cardiac arrest at the age of 51–way too soon. In terms of legacy, it is undeniable that he is a trailblazer through and through. However, it took ages for another key horror film to have a Black protagonist at the helm of their movie. Duane Jones’ name lives on today. The recital hall at New York State University is named after him as well as a character in The Walking Dead. He is truly a legend.

What’s Next

That wraps up the brief overview on Duane Jones. There is something in the works to discuss Night of the Living Dead overall given the 55th anniversary is swiftly approaching, so stay tuned for that. Visual media has been on a pause as of late. However, you should go check out TVOC’s TikTok as more content will be coming shortly. There will be a week pause next week for articles. However, expect more articles following that break. 2023 is turning out to be a great year for The Void of Celluloid, so be sure to stay tuned.

Anyways, thanks for spelunking this void with me. If you’re new to the Void of Celluloid, welcome. Feel free to spelunk some other voids while you’re here and follow me on other platforms by clicking the buttons below. We post regularly and stay up to date about what’s going on in horror today, reflect on what went on yesterday, and plan for a better, horror filled tomorrow. See ya next time.

What’s Coming this Month: February 2023

We made it through January and here we are in February. While February can be sleepy for film releases, there is plenty in store this month, especially on streaming services. There are only two non-new releases (at least in wide release) on this list of what’s coming this month. There are highlights this month–such as Cocaine Bear–and there are questionable releases. However, it’s worth noting what is coming out and when. Check it out below.

Coming to Theaters

February 3rd: Knock at the Cabin

February Horror 2023

The latest M. Night Shyamalan film is upon us as of today. Its trailer insists it will keep you guessing, but does that have to be said for his films? Known for their iconic twists, I don’t think so. With a star-studded cast, notably the return of Rupert Grint to the silver screen, the performances will carry this film. However, I haven’t gotten my hopes up for a Shyamalan film in a while, so I don’t know how this one is going to go. February is a dry month for films anyways, so this might be your best option.

February 15th: winnie The Pooh: Blood and Honey

Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey Trailer, Cast & Everything We Know So Far

Oh boy. The stories of A.A. Milne have recently become public domain, and Disney doesn’t fully own the rights. Within that loophole came this film, which will wreak havoc on us in a few weeks’ time. I don’t really like having my childhood messed with in this way, so I don’t know what to say about it all. However, I hope it delivers on camp and ridiculousness, because there’s no way to make a serious film with this concept and if they try, it’s not going to go well. I am terrified and horrified–Pooh Bear would never.

February 24th: Cocaine Bear

Cocaine Bear - Rotten Tomatoes

Speaking of bears-that-would-never, I am excited for this film. Elizabeth Banks is pulling the reigns for this creature feature, in which a drug fueled incident turns an unassuming bear into an apex predator. While the real story it is based on is quite sad, it seems like we’re going to lean into the ridiculousness by personifying the bear and framing it as a horror comedy from the get-go. It looks violent, it looks funny, and it looks absurd. I’m here for it and its coked-up nonsense.

Coming to Streaming

February 1st: Cooties on HBO MAx

Cooties (2014) - IMDb

This is not a new release; however, it is one that was unsung. Cooties is a legitimately funny zombie film that is oriented around children. I assume that it didn’t reach peak popularity due to the implied violence towards children, however they’re chicken-nugget-turned zombies. Kick back, have fun and laugh at this amazing ensemble cast playing distressed elementary school teachers that end up in a deadly mess.

February 2nd: Skinamarink on Shudder

How 'Skinamarink' Became the Internet's New Horror Movie Obsession - Variety

This was mentioned in my last monthly lineup, but it is to be noted that it is finally getting its streaming release. This experimental indie horror is still making waves, and its recent box office success with its limited release is a feat in its own. Whether it is up your alley or not, it is impossible to deny that this is revolutionary for indie horror and how word-of-mouth can get you so far, especially on social media. Boo for pirating in its early stages, but yay for a wide release after so much anticipation.

February 9th: Piggy on Hulu

Piggy February Hulu

This film made waves in the festival circuit. The Spanish horror-thriller is coming to Hulu early this month. It is a film that focuses on obesity and bullying and has a morally tricky story at its core. When an overweight teen witnesses her regular bullies snatched up by a kidnapper, will she admit what she saw or protect the person that put a cease to her daily torment? It’s a puzzling dilemma that garners moral questions and sympathy. It’s uncomfortable and unruly, much like high school in general.

February 14th: Halloween Ends on Amazon Prime

Halloween Ends' on Amazon this February

It is not jailed on Peacock anymore. Halloween Ends is coming to Amazon Prime. While this film is incredibly disappointing, it is worth watching to receive closure on this new trilogy and the overarching legacy of Halloween in general. It might be a hate-viewing, but it’s a viewing that is included in a service you already pay for. Therefore, it will hopefully continue the message of not wanting any more Halloween films. We’ll see.

February 22nd: The Strays on Netflix

The Strays February Horror

This film looks interesting and if you’re still around after the Netflix crackdown, it should be at the top of your list to check out. It looks as if Jordan Peele and Ari Aster collaborated on a movie, which is intriguing and terrifying, nonetheless. However, the trailer and synopsis didn’t make it clear what this is necessarily about–not a bad thing but leaves expectations a little muddled. Keep an eye out for this when it drops.


What’s NExt

Next post is going to be discussing the third episode of The Last of Us and how we’re getting some amazing queer love stories from the horror genre. Also, as it is Black History Month, I plan on also going into the convoluted and complicated history the horror genre has in regard to tropes and lack of representation and how it’s improving drastically. As for day-to-day stuff, TikTok has been popping off with recent videos and discussions about remakes, online horror and more, so be sure to check that out.

Anyways, thanks for spelunking this void with me. If you’re new to the Void of Celluloid, welcome. Feel free to spelunk some other voids while you’re here and follow me on other platforms by clicking the buttons below. We post regularly and stay up to date about what’s going on in horror today, reflect on what went on yesterday, and plan for a better, horror filled tomorrow. See ya next time.