A Natural Born Gambler (1916)

In 1916 the Biograph film company signed black comedian Bert Williams to write, produce, direct and star in two comedies. Williams created "A Natural Born Gambler" and "Fish." While hardly a breakthrough in shattering racial stereotypes (Williams was required by the studio to wear "darkie" makeup), a black production with a black cast was unprecedented. The response was tepid and Williams did not appear in any movies after Fish . Gambler borrows from Williams' Vaudeville skits. It makes heavy use of stereotypes, e.g., stealing, cheating, minstrel speak, mainly for the amusement of white audien

Frequently asked questions

Where can I watch A Natural Born Gambler for free?

You can stream A Natural Born Gambler (1916) free and legally on OldReel, via the Internet Archive.

Is A Natural Born Gambler in the public domain?

Yes — it is in the public domain and can be watched and shared freely.