Amos 'n' Andy: Anatomy of a Controversy (TV 1983)

The history of the television version of "Amos and Andy" and the public outcry to cancel it.

Director:

Stanley Sheff

Writers:

Bob Greenberg, Michael Avery (concept),

Stars:

George Kirby, Freeman F. Gosden, Charles J. Correll

Cast

Complete credited cast:
George Kirby	...	Himself / Narrator
Freeman F. Gosden	...	Himself - 'Amos' (archive footage) (as Freeman Gosden)
Charles J. Correll	...	Himself - 'Andy' (archive footage) (as Charles Correll)
Tim Moore	...	'Kingfish' (archive footage)
Spencer Williams	...	'Andy' (archive footage)
Ernestine Wade	...	Herself - 'Sapphire' (archive footage)
Alvin Childress	...	Himself - 'Amos'
Richard Correll	...	Himself (as Rich Correll)
Johnny Lee	...	'Calhoun' (archive footage)
Marla Gibbs	...	Herself
Redd Foxx	...	Himself
Henry Lee Moon	...	Himself
Jesse Jackson	...	Himself (as Rev. Jesse Jackson)

Storyline

This documentary examines the history of The Amos 'n Andy Show, the first all-black-cast show on American television. The show only lasted a few years before the network that showed it succumbed to pressure from civil-rights groups, which claimed that it portrayed blacks in a negative light. The show was also pulled from re-runs in the mid-'60s for the same reason. Clips--and one entire episode--from the series are shown, as are interviews with several members of the original cast and prominent modern-day black actors and comedians.

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Plot Keywords:

television | television history | african american | character name in title

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1983 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

M.R. Avery Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Color:

Black and White Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Features The Amos 'n Andy Show (1951)

User Reviews

Putting things in perspective.

I am probably correct in assuming that most younger folks have no idea what the "Amos 'n Andy Show" was or why there is a controversy about it. This obscure documentary hosted by George Kirby helps to explain a little bit about this but I'll try to sum it up: Back in the late 1920s, two white guys had a huge hit with the radio version of "Amos 'n Andy". The idea of two white guys doing this is very racist when you think about it, but back in the day folks (black and white) accepted this and the show was one of the most popular of the time. The duo even made a movie ("Check and Double Check")--in black face! It was simply dreadful--unfunny and a bit nasty.

By the 1950s, there was a dilemma. While the radio show was popular, folks were clamoring for a TV version and the network decided to relaunch the show with an all-black cast. And, for two years, the show was very popular and was occasionally seen in syndication into the 1960s. However, by this time, people were not comfortable with the show. After all, two of the main character (Andy and the Kingfish) were amazingly stupid and shiftless--and when the show was on TV, this was one of the only depictions of blacks in America! Now had the show been on when other, more realistic, depictions of blacks been on TV, I doubt that people would have felt so upset--but the only other show with a black main character at the time was "Beulah"--a black maid! Because of this and changing sensitivities in the country, the show was essentially shelved after negative criticism from the likes of the NAACP.

"Anatomy of a Controversy" seems to take the position that the show has been unfairly forgotten--that the black 1950s cast was immensely talented and the show, in itself, wasn't bad. And, it celebrates the talented actors who made the show. To do this, they interview various people and show a highly abbreviated episode of the old show. All in all, it's quite entertaining and compelling. The only real negatives are that the show looks a bit cheaply made and Kirby, inexplicably, does some impersonations that have no place in the show--it's only to show off Kirby's talents as an impressionist. In addition to Kirby, the likes of Jesse Jackson, Redd Foxx and Marla Gibbs all speak their minds about the show--and seemed to recall it very fondly and positively.

Well worth seeing--and an interesting look at our history--politically correct or not.