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]

Damon Ireland Thomas
BornAugust 16, 1875
Houma, Louisiana
Died1955
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Entertainment writer and critic
Era1920s
EmployerThe Chicago Defender
Known forReviews of Black film, music and theatre

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

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  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.