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dvdmike (dvdmike)
3-Pundit
Username: dvdmike
Post Number: 31
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 65.208.234.61
| | Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 12:42 pm: �� |     ���  |
I read a back-copy of Jet magazine from late 1957 in which Jackie Robinson was supposed to have been considered for the role of Porgy in the film version of "Porgy And Bess." In a later edition, Robinson squelched the rumor saying he was not an actor or singer and that he wanted no part of the film. Jet also claimed that Clyde McPhatter was being considered for the role of Sportin' Life. There were articles about the progress of the casting and filming of "Porgy And Bess" between late 1957 and 1958. The main branch of the Chicago Public Library has back copies of Jet and Ebony dating back to the '50s. Interesting reading. There were also ads for skin lightener and hair straightener. Wow! |
Nosey (nosey)
3-Pundit
Username: nosey
Post Number: 37
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 66.153.113.238
| | Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 2:45 pm: �� | ��� |
Unfortunately there are still some folks who are still self haters that have chemically lightened their skin and go to extreme measures to have straight hair. |
Gary (gary)
2-Debutant
Username: gary
Post Number: 16
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 66.73.238.5
| | Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 2:51 pm: �� | ��� |
dvdmike...have you ever heard Jackie Robison's speaking voice? He was incredibly articulate, but his voice had a really thin, tinny-sounding quality to it. I wonder if he would have made a very convincing Porgy, even if he had accepted the role. Don't know about Clyde McPhatter as Sportin' Life, but it certainly sounds interesting.
Anyway, nobody could have topped Sidney Poiter's performance as Porgy; that role seems meant for him. |
Juicefree20 (juicefree20)
5-Doyen
Username: juicefree20
Post Number: 197
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 24.46.184.162
| | Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 3:54 pm: �� | ��� |
Hey Gary, I agree with you. What's up all! To be honest with you, that would have been a bad performance. If you've ever saw The Jackie Robinson Story, he didn't play the role of himself that well. He seemed very uncomfortable & wooden. He was a passionate speaker as regards Civil Rights & was very articlate & dignified. Statesman...yes. Actor....no.
DVD & Nosey, I bet those were Artra ads. It's amazing that in this day & age, that this & similar products are still being sold in stores. It is allegedly used for removing "skin blotches". Yeah, sure it is! |
dvdmike (dvdmike)
3-Pundit
Username: dvdmike
Post Number: 32
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.253.219.225
| | Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 7:41 pm: �� | ��� |
Yes, I've heard Jackie Robinson's speaking voice on many occasions, including in the 1950 autobiopic starring the man himself. These were actual articles that I read in back copies of Jet between 1957 and 1958. The ads for hair straightener were by Duke. I don't remember what company advertised the skin lightening products. As far as the film itself, it also featured Louise Beavers as Jackie's mother, Ruby Dee as Rachel Robinson, Joel Fluellen as Mack Robinson, Bernie Hamilton (Captain Dobey in the "Starsky & Hutch" series) as a sports reporter and football great Kenny Washington as one of Jackie's Kansas City Monarchs teammates. A bit of trivia, Bernie Hamilton is the brother of jazz drummer Chico Hamilton. |
Juicefree20 (juicefree20)
5-Doyen
Username: juicefree20
Post Number: 212
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 24.46.184.162
| | Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 7:51 pm: �� | ��� |
That's great info Mike. I only know that he seemed most uncomfortable playing himself. Maybe he was reading from a script. |
Gary (gary)
2-Debutant
Username: gary
Post Number: 17
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 172.209.234.44
| | Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 10:08 pm: �� | ��� |
Good point, Juice. Jackie Robinson did, indeed seem uncomfortable playing himself in that film. Who could blame him? "The Story of Jackie Robinson Starring Jackie Robinson As Jackie Robinson!!!" Playing yourself in your own biopic has got to be kind of surreal.
I'll always admire Jackie Robinson for his personal courage and his committment to his beleifs. His athletic acheivements speak for themselves.
BTW....Those ads for skin lighteners and hair straighteners could be found in Black newspapers and magazines well into the early 1970s. I'd be willing to bet money that none of them actually worked as advertised. |
dvdmike (dvdmike)
3-Pundit
Username: dvdmike
Post Number: 33
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.253.219.225
| | Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 10:10 pm: �� | ��� |
I forgot to mention Roy Glenn, who portrayed a man who greeted Jackie Robinson at a bus terminal (I believe). Glenn, who also had roles in films such as "Carmen Jones", "A Raisin In The Sun", "Tick, Tick, Tick" and "Finian's Rainbow" is probably best known for portraying Sidney Poitier's father in "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner." |