Bojangles (TV 2001)

The award-winning actor and dancer Gregory Hines stars in this look at the life of extraordinary tap dancing legend Bill "Bojangles" Robinson... See full synopsis »

Director:

Joseph Sargent

Writers:

Richard Wesley, Robert Johnson,

Stars:

Gregory Hines, Peter Riegert, Kimberly Elise

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gregory Hines	...	Bojangles
Peter Riegert	...	Marty
Kimberly Elise	...	Fannie
Maria Ricossa	...	Rae
Savion Glover	...	Newcomer
Linette Robinson	...	Elaine
Jonathan Higgins	...	Zanuck
Lea Marie Golde	...	Shirley
Novie Edwards	...	Clarissa
Jackie Richardson	...	Bedella
Caliaf St. Aubin	...	Luther (as Caliaf St. Aubyn)
Aaron Meeks	...	William (Young Percy)
Donovon Ian H. McKnight	...	Lem (as Donovon Hunter McKnight)
Philip Akin	...	Williamson
Arnold Pinnock	...	Lincoln

Storyline

The award-winning actor and dancer Gregory Hines stars in this look at the life of extraordinary tap dancing legend Bill "Bojangles" Robinson... See full synopsis »

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Plot Keywords:

tap dancing | based on book

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Taglines:

The man. The moves. The magic.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 February 2001 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Darric Productions, MGM Television Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo Dolby (Dolby Surround)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Bojangles" was a left foot lead tap dancer, whereas Gregory Hines was a right foot lead tap dance. Hines had to learn tap with his left foot first, which is highlighted at the end of the movie when there is a side-by-side comparison of the two doing "Bojangles" specialty, the dancing staircase.

User Reviews

Hines rules!

At the height of his career, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson was the highest paid Black entertainer. He died penniless. Bojangles was considered the best dancer alive and his specialty was tap. He started in the black-face productions and shocked people when he worked as a solo act. He was a headliner in Canada which didn't have the same issues with racism as America. He starred on Broadway and then began making movies predominately appearing as the Butler to a white star, usually Shirley Temple. Bojangles was known as "The Man with the Smile" since the broad smile never left his face while he was dancing. Unfortunately this Showtime movie shows the pain and anger behind the smile. The pain that caused a young boy to assume the name of his brother in an attempt to hide from their grandparent, the pain that caused a string of broken marriages, and the pain that caused an incessant urge to gamble away his life savings. Gregory Hines portrays Bojangles. Hines is one of the premier tap dancers alive. Hines is an incredibly expressive actor without saying a word. His eyes can speak volumes of what is going through his soul and the percussive music from his taps tells a story all of their own.

The movie does drag at times and Bojangles isn't the easiest of characters to like. However the movie is more than worth renting just to watch all of Hines' tap sequences. The man is an incredible dancer. His heir apparent, Savion Glover, appears in one sequence that is truly phenomenal to watch.