Scandalize My Name: Stories From the Blacklist

Starring:Gregory Abbott, Adam Clayton Powell III, Dick Campbell (IV), Harry Belafonte, Canada Lee, Hazel Scott, Frederick O'Neal, Ossie Davis, Fred Waring, Gertrude Jeannette, Thurgood Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Rosetta LeNoire, Tim Moore, Morgan Freeman, Johnny Lee, Sidney Poitier, Paul Robeson, Erik Barnouw, Joseph Wershba
Director: Alexandra Isles
Studio: Urban Works
Product Type: DVD

Description

Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist examines the way Red Scare politics was used to impede the emergence of African-Americans as full participants in the political, social and cultural aspects of post-war American life. Because television was born in this era, and adopted the political attitudes of the time, the story is told through the confrontation of African-American performers with blacklists, loyalty oaths and discrimination in casting. Hosted by three-time Academy Award® nominee Morgan Freeman, Scandalize My Name is brought to life by African-American directors, actors and scholars who used their talents to advocate for social and cultural equality.

Customer Reviews:

Talk about "the Black and the Red".......2005-06-08

This documentary shows that McCarthy and his House Unamerican Activities Committee went after Black artists, just as it did to whites.

The documentary starts with Morgan Freeman, imitating many other PBS narrators, pretending like he's reading a book and then speaking to the camera. This introduction had me rolling on the floor. This documentary features Harry Belafonte and the elderly actress from the TV series "Amen." It also includes Ossie Davis (surprisingly, sans Ruby Dee) before he passed. This may bring a tear to the eyes of his fans. This work does an effective job of showing how any progressive Black artist interested in Civil Rights could be misconstrued and punished as a supposed Communist. Urban Works, which usually produces pop cultural modern pieces, did a great job in venturing out into this historic, serious endeavor.

There are many scenes of Black actors during the early days of TV and films. Perhaps viewers should watch this documentary alongside the many documentaries on the history of Black Hollywood.

A Must See Film.......2005-05-25

I have not yet recieved it but I just stumbled across it on television. If you are interested in this Era or you are an artist or interested in the arts this is a great piece. It's essential to know the struggles artists as a whole went through during the Blacklist and often you never hear about the African American experience during that time period. This film includes accounts from famous African American artist, several of which are still alive. This piece opened my eyes. The only downfall I could say was that the film was a little short and like with many things you don't get to see the names more than once. But otherwise I think it's great resource. Buy this film!

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