RIP Fontella Bass & Marva Whitney

Hope you all had a great holiday.  Our prayers and well wishes go out to their loved ones.  

70s TV Superheros Are Coming to Digital in 2013

Anybody that was a kid from 1975-1980 can appreciate some Steve Austin or Jamie Sommers a.k.a.The Bionic Woman, regardless of color.  Or my favorite at the time, 'Charlie's Angels'...with Farrah Fawcett, of course!

Yep, somebody's been taking notes and realized that you can never beat the originality of old (or retro) TV shows.  I've also been pretty fortunate to see some Blaxploitation movies I've never heard of.  When I think of Sugar Hill, I think of Wesley playing a more toned-down Nino Brown, not an actress named Marki Bey doing some voodoo mess.  I may get that one uncut for Halloween next year.

So, back to topic.  Just as I was getting comfortable with watching restaurants that I would never visit and noting those places in Cali (yes, I will ride a train), here comes this Cozi TV channel out of nowhere.  They're also supposed to bring back the Lone Ranger (before my time, sowwy) and some other classics.

Here is the link.  Just enter your zip and it will give the current and future listings.

Bounce TV Schedule Updates

One of my favorite pastimes (cause I'm a little broke but it's getting better) is looking through the Bounce TV schedule weeks in advance.  So far, I've seen about 20 movies that were completely new to me so I hope someone continues digging in those crates.  And of course, you can NEVER see Blacula too many times!

So I'm looking up 'til Christmas Day and I see a couple of things that are very interesting.  One is "Paid Programming" Do we really need more infomercials?  I mean really, Cindy Crawford is pretty because of a melon, Debby Boone still sings that same song from 1975/76.  And there's a gadget for $29.95 that will replace your skillet, microwave, Dutch oven - buy now and they will send you ... another one because the first is SO great!

The other shock was 'Forgive or Forget' , a talk show from the 90s that starred Mother Love and somehow Robin Givens (who was trying to rebuild her rep) ended up hosting.  Now, I burned out on talk shows way back when Morton Downey and Richard Bey left the air so I never got the full tea as to why Mother Love left in the first place.  (I had a life, no kids and a car so it just slipped me).

So now in the age of gossip blogs, I get a little bit here and there about celebs which 90% is true.  And I'm curious as to whether ML was railroaded or what.  And is Bounce losing $?  I hope not because I tend to have bouts of insomnia that last from about 2:00a to 5:30a and nothing makes me feel better than watching a blaxploitation classic or Soul Train rerun.  Even if it's from the 80s with that no-dancing guy on there.  Yes, the tall one.

Donald Goines...my first REAL reading experience

If you've read earlier posts, I mentioned how I came to appreciate that street culture/blaxploitation is captured in the media.  However, like many of you, I hate when others think that "the streets" are the only story that a Black person has to tell.  Growing up in the 70s and 80s, people thought Alex Haley, Maya Angelou and other noted literary figures told the Black Experience, or who had an interesting story to tell.

While I liked some of those stories, I wanted to hear something different.  School book clubs and ABC Afterschool Specials (yep, like when Jan Brady was a street ho) scratched the surface but I wanted something that was grittier.  Which was strange for a teen who lived in a section of Inglewood that was quickly changing from a White liberal/Black suburb to a 'hood that was featured on the 5 o'clock news regularly for drug-related crimes.

In my mother's quest to try the 'burbs thing again, I used to wander through Waldenbooks at Fox Hills Mall often.  For those who didn't remember, there was no Internet, no coffee bar (overpriced or otherwise), no hipsters looking through art books by Jackson Pollock or Andy Warhol, not even eclectic or acid jazz selections.  Just books and people looking to buy books, not mistake it for a library.

Since I'm a fast reader, it only took a couple of pages for me to see that Donald Goines was what I had been looking for.  All the grit, funk and those pieces of honesty that I would see in Terry McMillan years later.

So almost like clockwork, I would visit the Black Books sections at least once a month to buy the next in his series, which were semi-autobiographical tales of crime, drugs and pimping.  Him, Iceberg Slim and others opened me up to another world to which I could visualize from a safe distance and escape.

It was around this time, I learned that a video store on Manchester in Inglewood (now closed) specialized in blaxploitation movies as well as indie films of that time.

Recently, TVOne paid a little homage to the late Mr. Goines in an account of his life as probably the first Black Urban-style author known to this generation. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Richard Pryor

 Classic clip from his NBC variety show.  If you're at home on this cold Sat. night, check out the marathon on Bounce TV.

Unsung TV: Frank's Place

 

It wasn't until recently that I came to appreciate the understated humor that is Tim Reid.

In watching old reruns of WKRP in Cincinnati, I realized that his humor was far more valuable (and under-appreciated) than what Steve Urkel or JJ Evans would ever offer.

So when this show was in its first run, I heard that it was good and boy, were people mad when it went off the air.

I'll continue this segment as I learn about more shows that hardly saw the light of day.

A Marvelous Movie?

For years, I've heard rumors about a Marvin Gaye biopic.  Just like when Gen-Xers like me first heard Jimi, there were strong (pre-internet) rumors about Larry Fishburne buying the rights to his book.  He had just finished playing the hell out of Ike Turner so this seemed natural.  Of course, life happens and so does business and one can tell married life has been good to him (he did nothing to me so let's be tactful).

So now Andre (3000) Benjamin is slated to play the guitar great although without using his music, I don't know how this will work out in terms of box office sales (bka asses in the seats and not making the "video guy/bootleg man/DVD hookup" rich).  Personally, I liked the Wood Harris Showtime biopic from about 10 yrs. ago.  He did an awesome job even though he bears no resemblance.

And this week, Jacky Jasper reported that Lenny Kravitz has been picked to star in a biopic about the legendary Marvin Gaye.  Love Marvin (especially the I Want You album) and Lenny can do no wrong but .. IDK.  Why?  For one, the films ' focus in on the Motown artists' downward spiral (IRS, 2nd failed marriage, drugs) instead of what influenced him to write (and fight Mr. Gordy to have released) the What's Goin' On album.  Even his transition from gospel to secular music is worth 2+ hours.  The duets.  Anything but that period in his life.

So should actors take on such roles?  Personally, I'd rather have Mr. Kravitz than Usher (as it was once rumored) play him.  And I always hoped Prince could build up enough acting chops (or Warner Bros clout) to pull off Hendrix, since he has some timing but like Larry Fish, a little too long in the tooth for this to become reality.

What do you think?  Below is a track from one of my favorite albums, period.  He does channel Marvin pretty well if I must say so.

A Man Called Adam Review

This will be on Bounce TV for maybe a week or two before they take it out of circulation (just looked at the Dec. 2012 schedule and I saw a lot of Sidney Poitier and Eddie Griffin movies on the roster).

Anyway, the great Sammy Davis Jr. plays
an alcoholic musician looking to get right in his life.  Nothing unfamiliar today but what got my attention was the ladies that were after him.  Cicely Tyson (she goes from being super-resistant to his biggest cheerleader is less than 1/2 hour), Lola Falana and a really young Ja'Net DuBois (bka Willona).  Dude (RIP) was no bigger than a minute but I was shocked as to why Harry Belafonte wasn't cast.  I guess Mr. Day-O didn't play ball like that.
In the video above, "Bookman" plays a blind musician who puts Sammy in check about his ways. 

I won't give away any more but this movie is worth a bag of microwave popcorn.

Sparkle...the Old or the New? Whatcha think?

Last weekend, I saw this and there are a few scenes that are worth $10-12 (maybe a matinee at one of theaters that serves real food or has a bar).

1. The club scene where they played 'Sing a Simple Song' by Sly Stone and 'em.
2. The dinner table scene because you can see Whitney is trying REAL HARD to not go off on Mike Epps character.
3. Tika Sumpter was just as cute as she could be (but a little dry).
4. Aaand the ending was way more moving because Jordin Sparks had much more range than Irene Cara.

Soooo. Constructively speaking, they should have called it something else because though it obviously added on things and maybe cleaned up things a little (I know I liked them a little poor instead of middle class in a big ol' house).  

However, some things were just weird like that dude that looked like Gin Rummy (Sam Jackson's character) from the Boondocks.  I was waiting for him to say something that would take away from the fact that I need to buy the Season 3 DVD ASAP.  And no, I'm not clowning Albinos.

So I may see it again.  Word on the street is that they may not break even anytime soon but I will remain hopeful that people will see this for Whitney (RIP).

She's Playing Who?

Some time ago, we lost the legendary Eartha Kitt and not long after there was a rumor that Beyonce was going to portray her in a major studio biopic.  Black folks were already a little over-saturated on the bootylicious entertainer so this online petition was started.  The rumors have since stopped and there has been no formal announcement of whether their will even be a biopic of the late Ms. Kitt.

So fast forward a few years and singer Mary J. Blige had been picked to portray another legend, singer Nina Simone.  Like Mrs. Carter, her acting skills are limited at best but at the time people were happy that a movie was being made about the underrated musician.

Now, the rumor mill is saying that Zoe Saldana has replaced MJB.  And people are MAD!

Why?  Some say it's because the self-described Dominican-Puerto Rican actress never ID's herself as Black and the role should only go to such.  Others say that it's because she bears no resemblance.

Which brings me to Diana Ross in Lady Sings the Blues.

Without going over hearsay since I was only 3/4 when this was released, I have to say that it may not make a difference.  And what many people may not know is that Billie Holiday was rumored to be of Irish heritage as well as Black.  Whether its speculation because she was light-skinned or really had a White father, the one drop rule will always apply.  "Diane's" biracial children look like llight-skinned Blacks.

I got nothing against Zoe Saldana.  If being Latina is what she identifies with, then let it be.  Though she can't replace Halle, she makes money for the studios.  Who she dates is her business!

Ms. Saldana actually looks a lot like one of my younger cousins.  She's got the same hair texture and is rail-thin w/sharp (or keen) features...but she be Black!

So IMO if we can have another biopic of a Black female entertainer that is of great quality like Tina Turner nearly 20 years ago, why not aim for that first, get more of us in the studios without hate and then worry about technicalities.  Hmm?

If you still care, voice your concerns at this link - http://www.change.org/petitions/nina-producers-casting-directors-replace-zoe-saldana-with-an-actress-who-actually-looks-like-nina-simone

Or call, producer Jimmy Iovine los angeles office at 310-865-1000.
The alleged contact is Cynthia Ann Mort,screenwriter. 

Courtesy of HSK and Rhymes with Snitch

Soul Train...Where Can I Find the REAL tea?

Like you, I enjoyed The Hippest Trip in America and watch it every chance I get.  However, being the nosey bird that I am, I wanted to know more like...

Was there ever a cutoff in age? In the later episodes (mid 1980's especially), some of those dancers did not look like teens but old enough to pay a mortgage.  In fact, one person I went to school with danced on that show at age 27/28.

Was there ever a cutoff in how long you can dance on the show?  I noticed today that Cheryl Song (a.k.a THAT Sexy Asian Lady) danced from the mid 70s to the mid-late 80s.  That's a long time for something that doesn't pay a salary.  Now Damita Jo Freeman, Jody Whatley and Rosie Perez did it right.  A couple of yrs. and they got the right exposure...the rest is history.

Why couldn't a dancer wear a wig?  This one came from my cousin who claims that Don C. kicked him out of the studio for wearing a permed wig.  But the other day, I saw some chick who won the dance contest that had some dirty blonde plastic-looking thing that sat on her head like a helmet. 

Why did they stop dancing?  You know what I'm talking about!  Compare the first 5-7 years to the mid-eighties when women were doing a two-step in tight dresses and the men were either sorta dancing like MJ or jumping around in costumes and props.

Where can I get the tea?  Love Jacky Jasper but he doesn't seem to dig that deep in the crates.  Myra Panache gives bits and pieces but truthfully, I hate that blogs' layout.  She needs an indexing system BAD (Sowwy but I had to say it) :(.

RIP Al Freeman

Courtesy of Reuters.Best known for portraying Elijah Muhummad in 1992's 'Malcolm X, Mr. Freeman was also a star on stage and screen. He also directed the soap, One Live to Live.

We would like to express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.

Family Time on Bounce TV...What Did YOU Think?

MMMM...it's not the worst thing on TV.  I think that while HuxtableLand is a nice place to aim for in life, it may not be everyone's reality.  There have been many Black/AA sitcom families that were more diverse and FUNNY.

That's it, none of the main characters were funny.

Now, make the mother-in-law (Judy Elder) and her husband (Richard Gant?) regulars, dump the lesbo sis (don't know her name 'cause she's not funny) and I know the son is "royalty" as he is sired by the show's creator (Bentley Kyle Evans) and Yvette Denise Lee (Half & Half - which they should bring back, btw and Living Single) - however, he is only slightly funny because when he goes into that 'playa' mode that preteen boys like to do, he reminds me of my neighbor - and he's grown.  The little girl can just do a Judy Winslow by going upstairs and never being heard from again.

Now, as a woman, I have to get this out.  Clair Huxtable may have set the bar EXTREMELY high.  I mean, damn, she looked like older Halle, had a real career, 4/5 kids - and comedic timing.  The mama here...they do a good job of camouflaging her super voluptuous body but when it comes time for her to say something, she has to stick out her chesticles, backside or talk about how cute she is.  Someone once commented that she should have Megan Good's career...hmmm, idk about that. Her looks and timing are barely average. 

And this is prolly why they got only 6 episodes aired.

Take a Giant Step (1960)

 

Johnny Nash (the 'See Clearly' singer, above) plays a typical a-hole of a teen.  He adores and talks smack to his grandmother (the typical ride-or-die grammie who later dies, which messes his head up).  He finds he only has one real friend (who is not part of the gang of 'nice White kids' at school that the mother tries so hard to appease).  His father is a stuffy bank teller (my Grammie can tell you this was a big deal back in this period when she worked at BofA in the 50/60s).

After being kicked out of school for speaking out against a teacher/smoking in the bathroom, he sets out into the world only to end up at the local bar when he meets 4 pros.

He finds that one who looks the most like Dorothy Dandridge has too many issues after a proposal of courtship/marriage.

Then he ends up at one pro's place with rent issues and not much to eat in her kitchen.  Getting the hell out of there means paying her a toll charge of $2.83 ($7.17 more to go!).

So this leaves a gorgeous Ruby Dee that plays the family maid.  And it turns out that all of his pent-up frustration just means that he's horny - and naive.

Since Mrs Ossie Davis isn't trying to mess up her money or catch a case, she leaves shortly after he proposes a booty call arrangement since he confesses to being a virgin to her.

 Anyway, I'm going into some detail because this does drag a little but it's not a bad movie at all.  General descriptions read something like "Black teen tries to adjust in White neighborhood".  I think coming-of-age tale is a better fit.

Dolemite

Since the 80's when I came to discover all of the cinema that passed me by as a kid, there was one name that would crack most people up before they could go into the rant about how degrading blaxploitation movies were to the culture.

Every Dolemite movie I'd ever rented was a bit grainy and the audio wasn't the best, so I never got the full concept except he got laid at least once.  Bounce TV cleared some things in their recent airing of The Human Tornado.

I've never been much into ol skool rhyming (Jesse Jackson, Nipsey Russell) so the stand up act just kind of left me...IDK.

Anyway, Mr. Rudy Ray Moore a.k.a Dolemite left us a few years ago but below is one of his last public appearance on the Arsenio Hall Show from the 90s.

Unsung TV: The New Odd Couple

I tried to get Tim Reid's "Snoops" uploaded but all I could find was the intro (the user account was not sharing) and the rest was that tall, skinny dude from LB.

So as I went down my list of Black sitcoms (which Tyler Perry dominates, btw...in the number of episodes aired).  I remembered this got a bad rap for casting (particularly "Lamont Sanford") and just being a weak imitation of the original 60/70s sitcom.

Anyway, here's a clip with the underrated Judy Pace.

Bounce TV:Uptown Comic

Since I've been away for a min., I'll get right to it.  I can't understand what the hell they're saying and what little I do understand is not funny.

Fantasia jokes...really?

Pregnant grandmother...try again!

I watched a full episode yesterday because I was sick and there was nothing else on.  Whatever your opinion is on integration, you are entitled to it but one brother tried really hard to convince the audience that there were advantages to having to suddenly read grocery store signs in Spanish.  I go back to when the ING was white so, no I'm not feeling this at all.

You could almost hear a pin drop.

Anyway, it's not that I hate stand-up or that everyone has to be like In Living Color or Def Comedy Jam...just less like Comic View or Apollo Comedy Hour (below). Oh well, I miss Lisa Nicole Carson (in anything else, of course)

Unsung TV: Charlie and Company

Cosby started something back in the mid-80s and like most imitations (including Family Matters and that show with Alan Thicke an 'em), I didn't care much for this but now in an age where random women (they call themselves my 'sistas' ... but I don't know about that) who get into fistfights over the most illiterate-sounding males, I want this show and all the other corny family sitcoms back.

Anyway, this had Flip Wilson, Gladys Knight, Jaleel White and Della Reese.  Meh...husband bickers with mother-in-law.  There's a sassy kid.  Then the kid that's too cute to really be bothered.  Acting is half there but ...there was a father in the house.

Rare MJ Song (Repost

 

Actually, this vid is cleaner than the rare appearance on the Dinah Shore Show and the audio is better.  Since the voice is more important than the dancing, IMO

Black Dynamite Cartoon Preview

Was B.A.P.S. a redux of Disorderlies?

You tell me.

Young black persons placed in charge of a rich ,White elderly man.

Only they are not competent to do so and there is a relative waiting in the wings to collect an inheritance,

But the old dude recovers, and it's all good except the greedy relative has to call in reinforcements to speed things up.

They even take him to a disco/roller rink.

Yeah, I know there are other differences but there is a common denominator here - no acting  Troy Beyer.

 Truth, I liked BAPS better because Halle does have some comedic timing and I'm partial to anything shot in L.A.

Unsung Ol Skool TV Shows: The Other Good Times

Yeah, you heard me mention 'Baby I'm Back' not long ago.  If you're old enough to remember these, then you may know that there was a UK version of Good Times. See The Fosters below.

If you want an unbiased account  of what really went down with Florida Evans an 'em, click here.  Courtesy of TV Party.

Anyway, Bounce TV has me reminiscing for many shows from back in the day so I've decided to compile a list, 'till I run out of shows that could have been in reruns after reruns like Seinfeld or I Love Lucy.

Willie Dynamite Clip: Your Choice For Best Blaxploitation Film

Oh yeah, mine too!
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In case the below vid left you wanting more from back in the day, here's what you voted for.  This scene is a tea (coke) party consensus where they discuss trade (bitches) and the possibility of forming an alliance so as to protect one's turf.  A cerebral Willie D ain't hearin' it because he feels his bitches should be free to take over any corner without permission.  The beginning of his slow and interesting retirement from the game.

'You sayin' you can't control your bitches?'

AfroThunda: Not Safe For Work or the Kids

Afro Thunda - watch more funny videos

I thought this was kind of cute so I thought I'd share.

Veteran Thespian Documentary Needs Our Support

The grandson of Ruby Dee and the late Ossie Davis  is seeking assistance for a documentary about the veteran actors.  Read more at his Kickstarter page.

The N Word/Bounce TV

I wasn't born until late 1968 in Los Angeles county.  Like some who grew up on the Westside/LAX area during this time, my few friends were a range of colors and many were the product of a mixed relationship.

When the ING became mostly Black in the 70s, I was pretty shocked to hear kids using that word like they'd been hosed down by law enforcement, chased by dogs or told they couldn't eat somewhere.

I'm not judging though my opinion is that if you're a baby boomer (or born earlier), you have the first-hand knowledge of what it is really like to be discriminated.  Not saying that it doesn't happen today but you will find there are many who initially bring it on themselves (example: Jena 6 case from 2007).

Anyway, I mention this because Bounce TV has been a helluva education.  I can't stress this enough.  For one, I didn't know Blacks did so many western-style movies back then.

Fred Williamson is not one of my favorites when it comes to his actual films though I respect how him and Pam Grier handled their business (they get paid residuals).  The Legend of Nigger Black Charlie did not hold me the way Thomasine & Bushrod did but I found this account rather interesting.


Now speaking of Bounce TV, there are a few programs they should really take out of their lineup as of 5/28/12.

1. Blues Brothers 2000 - or show the original, which was way better, before showing this for the umpteenth time.
2. The List - Wayne Brady is only entertaining ...in that one Dave Chappelle bit
3. Ali - just because it's bunk
4. Leonard Part 6 - even as Mr. Cosby was at the top of his game during this time, this will always be his off-moment
5. Love For Sale - Mya, that video model....mmm,just get the rights to Video Girl with Megan Good

Now, if you can find old episodes of Baby I'm Back, that show where Bernie Casey played a single father  (can't find it online) or Pipe Dreams with Gladys Knight and then-hubby Barry Hankerson, I'll cancel my Redbox account

Donna Summer and What I Don't Miss About Cable

As you know, the music and art community lost the great Donna Summer to advanced lung cancer on 5/17/12.  More than a disco singer, all she did was bring it better than Diana Ross, with a little more polish than Chaka, more glam and less gospel than Aretha yet she is much more than the Queen of Disco.


While I'm disgusted at celeb tweets calling her Donna 'Summers', I have good news if you didn't know already.


Bounce TV is doing a tribute starting today with an appearance on Soul Train, followed by the 1978 musical comedy 'Thank God It's Friday'.


Do you know how sick I was (and I'm sure you are too, if you're paying TW, Cox, etc) of BET/TVOne supposedly giving someone a tribute during the commercial break and it cuts off after a few seconds?  "EBT" finally got it somewhat right but it was a trilogy of Etta James, Heavy D and Whitney Houston.  This wouldn't be bad if they passed the same day or week but they let their respects play all the way through for the whole 60 seconds!  I mean really, they can give Lil Wayne every drip drop of a second of a track it sounds like a preschooler wrote or show that tired-@ss My Wife and Kids.  However, they can't pay proper attention to those who helped to pave the way for them to have a medium in the first place.


Anyway, on a lighter note.  Ms. Summer held it down for a long time, in other words she looked damn good.  This is not an attack on those who love their sweets *raises hand* but after age 40, staying trim becomes a challenge. 


Here is a guest appearance on the 90s sitcom Family Matters -

Bounce TV: The First Month + A Tip

I am loving this channel.


Never knew Richard Pryor, Vonetta McGee and others made so many movies in the 70s and 80s.  Since I wasn't born until the end '68, I missed out on quite a bit and some things cannot be found on Amazon.


And of course, I work around Soul Train reruns!


While I am saving money and my last nerve not dealing with the cable company, I do have a few concerns.

1. Why is it when you go to the site, it acknowledges your area but you have to use the drop-down menu when looking at the schedule?  For example, I'm in L.A. but the website defaults to the East Coast schedule.
2. Why are some shows on the schedule mis-labeled?  I've seen a few movies that were supposed to be comedies labeled as 'Drama' and vice-versa.  If they need a volunteer panel to help them sort, I can donate a few hours a month.
3. How come older movies (before 1960) on the schedule do not have a summary?  Once again, I can give them some of my time to help them work this out.
4. Speaking of the newer movies, why are those in constant rotation?  There is a reason they went straight to DVD and for the most part, they're just too weak (dull/ bunk/waste of time)  to be shown at a franchise movie theater.

My new movie recommendation is Dysfunctional Friends.  Despite the weird casting (Terrell Owens, Stacy Dash), this dark comedy is not bad.  Each character is unique, annoying and lovable all at the same time!


Tip of the Day:  Be careful when reserving with Redbox.  They're more than happy to deduct from your card but should you not pick it up, they take forever to reimburse you.  So when you place your reservation, be 99.99% percent that you will pick up by 9 in the PM.  Later!

If You Can't Let Go of Your VHS

I know, LOL.  I bought a combo DVD/VHS for less than $100 about six yrs ago thinking I did something great but not far away was that Blu-Ray.

Here's a site I ran across that sells VHS tapes. 

I figured they could tell me who was in 1972's Melinda (it comes on Bounce TV), so why not a little shout out.

Bounce TV is in L.A.

When I first heard this, I couldn't believe it and I scrambled to the one non-cable set in my home but no luck.  Even though I had extra antennas/converters, I could not pick up this channel 13.2.

Yesterday, Time Warner stopped by to do their thing and I'm not mad because I can watch basic cable shows on my laptop.  Not going to talk about roommates right now :((

But I am loving this.  No booty videos, no station owner popping up to give HER .02 about everything. 

And truthfully, anytime I was not on salary, cable was never a priority for me but a luxury.  So not counting my last long term assignment from a year ago, it's been a hustle trying to keep Time Warner happy.

Anyway, I know I've made a new friend and if you're in a situation where you gotta let something go, consider Bounce TV for the great movies and Soul Train reruns.

Who Dat? Marsha Warfield

Years before becoming a cast regular on Night Court in the 80s, the first time I saw Marsha Warfield was on Soul Train.  I was too young (under 10) to catch her on the Richard Pryor Show but she cracked me up.



After being on a long-running sitcom, numerous appearances in movies and her own 1990 talk show (too many chefs in the kitchen), she's no where to be found in 2012.

Maybe she wouldn't drink the kool-aid or just chose to retire early, IDK. U know..share with us!

Pam(ela) Grier Biopic

I think movie-goers are long overdue for something exciting, even if it gets the Hollyweird touch later.  Though I didn't get around to reading her book, I would see this movie.

As far as who should play her, a lot of people are going w/Tocarra (DDD) but I think anyone who could pull off the fact that she wasn't that great of an actress back then (she brought some game in 1997's Jackie Brown) should be considered.
Yep, I said it.  An actress so good that they can play an actress who did not have the real skills.

But what I do like about Pam Grier is the multifaceted personality and things most people didn't know.  It would take a skilled actress to bring that as well.  Maybe Sophie Okonedo[sp].

Halle is a little aged.  I think her friend Vivica could have done it at one time but mixed or not, I've seen all three of Frankie Lymon's "wives" and they all look like they're pushing the big 5-0. Pam was in her 20's at the top of her game.

But here's a fun fact.  Halle wanted to do a remake of Foxy Brown.  I think she could have done it not just based on sex appeal but she does bring more than looks to her parts.  Wonder if she going to pull a piece from her 'fro (see original trailer below).

Happy 73rd Mr.Gaye + An Apology

A few posts ago, I wrote about actress Juanita Brown, not knowing that she had been deceased for many years now.

On the Panache Report, it was reported that she died mysteriously at the age of 30.  To those who knew Ms. Brown, please accept our belated condolences and apologies in regard to her craft as it was not meant to be malicious.

-------------

It seems like that mysterious day on 1 April 1984, was just a decade ago and like Mr. Jackson and Ms. Houston, sometimes I still don't believe it. Best b-day wishes with a jam that you can relax to.

Tribute to the 'Fro

Right now, I'm sporting one of these under a scarf (and occasional 1/2 wig) because I'm pretty much home-bound.  Otherwise, I would be at the beauty supply trying to figure out if the keratin hype is really worth it.

Though my extra-coily hair is a task for the brave to maintain (with a really good conditioner), here is a book that celebrates the natural look.

If you want to show your support via KickStarter, click here.  Courtesy of Clutch Magazine

Boondocks Update

I know they are new skool and may even be offensive to some.  My fear right now is that I will birth my first child at 45 and they will be a combination of Bart Simpson and Riley Freeman.  So my choices would be to tap that azz on the daily or crack the hell up - no happy medium.

Anyway, courtesy of boondocksbootleg/sway.com - here is veteran actress Regina King (Huey/Riley on the show) in a radio interview.

Im Back and I'm Broke

While I wait on my rent (partial) to arrive electronically via the UK, I thought I'd drop in for a sec and visit.

People have asked me why did I have a Old School music 2011 obituary instead of one dedicated to actors and it hadn't occurred to me that I hadn't found one that was comprehensive.

Also, I give my condolences to Dick Anthony Williams, a fine actor who was more than Pretty Tony from The Mack. I wanted to get the clip from Players Club where he teaches LisaRaye how to shoot like a father would do with their son. That was a pretty touching moment because it's one thing for men to stick around long enough to become real dads but when they teach their daughters how to face the world and it's adverse moments, is really special.

So instead of made-for-TV movies and bit movie parts, I chose this clip -

So, I haven't forgotten my mission to include books and other media in this blog. Last year, I had the pleasure of meeting a young man that worked the magazine booth at Crenshaw Mall. Yeah, it's been through many changes and though I can't wait until they get another cajun/creole/real soul food place inside, I'd say this booth is worth stopping by. If you'd rather shop from home, here's the website.

Finally, don't forget to bookmark us as we continue our mission to bring positivity.  Oh yeah, speaking of positive things.  Today is the day after Oscars and from what I saw, I wasn't impressed.  In fact, it makes me want to push harder for indie films.  While my congrats to Octavia Spencer means nothing, I must add my $0.02 about us getting recognition for being oppressed.  It reminds me of an ass I used to work with that once told me out of nowhere that Black women were the most oppressed people on the planet.

Let's see.  I'm brown-skinned with nappy hair, not a babymama, never worked as a domestic or been on public assistance, educated, never been in jail or named as defendant in a lawsuit.  Not in 40+ years.  Where is my damn movie?

Whitney - RIP

Long before the voice and fame, music's latest fallen angel made her TV debut on 1981's Gimme a Break with the late Nell Carter 

 

Don Cornelius - RIP

Thank you for the memories!

In Memoriam 2011

A little late but this is the most comprehensive music list I could find. Courtesy of soulwalking.uk.

Also, to my Uncle Hosea (Enox), you are very much missed!

Books Into Movies

In my haste to complete minor marketing projects ASAP for different clients so I could pay bills, I thought of several things.  One was a book I'd real called Black Starlet.  I got it from Waldenbooks in the Fox Hills Mall and got deep into Donald Goines and other authors telling a Black experience that had nothing to do with slavery.  This was the mid-to-late 80s and truthfully, there was nothing that impacted my young adult life but it was damn entertaining for a period when I needed a smile.

Anyway, I gave Iceberg Slim's Pimp to a male friend because it was just too heavy at the time and around this time I discovered blaxploitation films.  I'd seen I'm Gonna Get You Sucka and Blacula several times but I wanted to hear more from the "unsung" folks. 

So I rent Black Starlet from a place in Inglewood on Manchester and the Avenues (all I remember was Grady from Sanford and Son had a travel agency across the street).  It was silly but told the truth about the casting couch.  While Juanita Brown may have been entertaining back in the day, if she were to make a comeback, Viola Davis, Angela Bassett, Halle and about 200 other Black actresses wouldn't have a damn thing to worry about.  Here is a review that is a little less forgiving.

There are no YouTube clips of this movie and I'm not about to give Amazon $40 either. Yes, it is also titled Black Gauntlet but it made me remember the importance of preserving our works.

Waldenbooks is no more in L.A. and the last time I was in Fox Hills/Westfield, they were closer to having a biblioteca since the Borders Express is also history.  Then yesterday's L.A. Times article inspired me to make more positive changes in the New Year.  It is about Marcus Books in the Bay Area and the challenges it currently has with Amazon and its pricing policies.

We should not let our contribution in books, movies and other media dissolve into thin air or fight with a corporation.  This is why I've decided to add books to my posts and begin a campaign to promote literary events as well.

Comments? Suggestions?  Hit me at jwswindell@gmail.com