The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings

Starring:Billy Dee Williams, James Earl Jones, Richard Pryor, Rico Dawson, Sam 'Birmingham' Brison, Jophery C. Brown, Leon Wagner (II), DeWayne Jessie, Tony Burton, John McCurry, Stan Shaw, Ted Ross, Mabel King, Sam Laws, Alvin Childress, Ken Foree, Carl Gordon, Ahna Capri, Joel Fluellen, Jester Hairston
Director: John Badham
Studio: Universal Studios
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

This enjoyable 1976 film by John Badham (Saturday Night Fever) concerns the efforts of a barnstorming baseball team of African American players to work around the dominance of the Negro National League. Set in 1939, the swift, impressive, and entertaining troupe of personality-rich athletes easily make the viewer wistful for this level of spiritedness on a green field. While the story is a bit halting, the script intelligently reflects some of the difficulties and requirements of black players at that time to find success in the game. The excellent cast includes Billy Dee Williams, whose character is based on Satchel Paige, and James Earl Jones, whose part is suggestive of the tragic Josh Gibson, as well as Richard Pryor, Ted Ross, DeWayne Jessie, and Stan Shaw. Produced by Motown's old film division, the musical score, not surprisingly, is highly memorable. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

A BASEBALL CLASSIC.......2007-03-21

The entire life and the atmosphere of The Negro League baseball era was brilliantly portrayed from the barnstorming perspective. The script was a bit of a stretch at times but the superb acting by Billy Dee Williams and James Earl Jones kept you waiting for each scene. The language used was authentic as were the town attitudes. It contained some athleticism in parts that was also very truthful.

Good old time baseball movie.......2006-03-09

The movie is a classic. the service from the seller was excellent. Received the dvd withing a week of the order.

A True Classic .......2005-12-04

If there is any such thing as a comedy classic, this would be it.

Great baseball movie, substandard DVD.......2002-02-28

This is a great baseball movie. Great performances from Billy Dean Williams and James Earl Jones. I was a little disappointed in the transfer and the sound on this dvd, and the extras are lacking. However, this is not a commonly sought-after movie (although it should be). A great story and a great movie based on the novel by William Brashler.

Fitting homage to the spirit of Negro League Baseball.......2001-03-12

I've always enjoyed this film ever since I was a pre teen. But as i've viewed the film in subsequent years i've come to regard it as more than just a very entertaining film.

The first point that i'd like to make is that it would be very easy to look at this film as a glossed over historical account of Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson. The film is not that although three of the main characters are certainly based upon those great men. For a more historical recount, albeit with some dramatic license, I would recommend HBO's fine Soul of the Game.

I think it's difficult for many in my generation (under 40) to really appreciate the struggles and agony that most black americans endured just a short time ago in our history. This film however does a fabulous job of weaving the reality of barnstorming with the joy, athleticism and sorrow that was Negro League Baseball in addition to the pervasive racism that flourished throughout america at that time. For that alone it shouldn't be missed.

All that notwithstanding it's a fabulous entertainment. Richard Pryor is as always hiliarious. The script is very well written. At times emphasizing comedy, drama, triumph, tragedy and most importantly sufficiently representing the atmosphere and culture of much of black america at that time. But it's the performances of Billy Dee and James Earl that really raise the film from just fine storytelling to the level of social commentary and criticsm.

You'll laugh, strut, rage, and ultimately cry at this beautiful film.

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