An actor limited to stereotypical roles because of his ethnicity, dreams of making it big as a highly respected performer. As he makes his rounds, the film takes a satiric look at African American actors in Hollywood.
After spending three years in an asylum, a washed-up actor views a minor assignment from his old director in Rome as a chance for personal and professional redemption.
Director:
Vincente Minnelli
Stars:
Kirk Douglas,
Edward G. Robinson,
Cyd Charisse
Kid, after a lifetime 'playing the field', is about to get married. 'Play' plans to throw the best bachelor party ever - until 'Kid's' three wise-crackin' nephews come to town, intent on showing them what parties are all about.
Director:
Eric Meza
Stars:
Christopher Reid,
Christopher Martin,
David Edwards
When Susan, a film producer from NYC, goes to Jamaica to shoot a shampoo commercial, she finds herself, through a series of unforeseen circumstances, drifting further and further away from ... See full summary »
In 1964 on Chicago's Near-North Side, the lives of four carefree high school seniors and best friends, including an aspiring playwright and an all-city basketball champion, takes a tragic turn.
Director:
Michael Schultz
Stars:
Glynn Turman,
Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs,
Garrett Morris
Brian Hooks plays a character who is just released from jail. And the state adopts a "3 strikes" rule for felons that involves serious penalties. Hooks has 2 strikes, and wants to change ... See full summary »
A man who has struggled personally has conflicts with his upwardly mobile lawyer brother and well to-do fiancee and is reluctantly to be the best man at their wedding.
In the boring desert of New Mexico, a single mother raises her two teenage daughters, Shade and Trudi, whose deepest desire is to leave the dead calm town. Shade is the type to escape in ... See full summary »
Bobby Taylor wants to be a respected actor. From Sam Spade to Shakespeare to superheros, he can do it all. He just has to convince Hollywood that gangstas, slaves and "Eddie Murphy-types" aren't the sum of his talents.Written by
Renee Ann Byrd <byrdie@wyrdbyrd.org>
When Bobby is first sitting down while he waits to read for the part of Jimmy at the beginning of the film, the head shot photo just behind him shows three women (with possibly a fourth, which is obscured by his head.) After the talk with the other actor sitting next to him (immediately after he tells him "Don't sell out, brother. Don't be a butler or a slave") the picture immediately changes to one of his grandmother, likely representing the sudden pull of his conscience in reading for this type of role. See more »
Goofs
At the beginning of "Chicago Jones" movie clip, the girl is bare-legged. At the end, she complains about a run in her stocking. See more »
Quotes
Mr. Jones:
The Winky Dinky Ho Cake... hoes gotta eat too.
See more »
Hollywood Shuffle (1987) was the directorial debut of Actor/ Director Robert Townshend. His self financed film Hollywood SHUFFLE pokes fun at the struggles many black actors face whilst looking for an acting career in Hollywood. It's sad as well because many of these stereotypes are still true to this day. While progress has been made in the American Movie Industry, they still need to make more progress. This film showed people how the Movie making business handles the majority of young black actors who're trying to make it in the movies.
The story is about a young, talented and aspiring actor who wants to make it in Hollywood as a director. But when he tries out for roles, he meets a lot of stumbling blocks. Many of these are about his racial background (i.e. he's not black enough, he's too black, doesn't act black, etc. etc.). Eventually he's offered a role but will he throw away his dignity to accept it? Can young Robert make it in Hollywood without "selling out"? Will his peer drag him down? To find out you'll just have to watch Hollywood SHUFFLE.
Highly recommended film.
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Hollywood Shuffle (1987) was the directorial debut of Actor/ Director Robert Townshend. His self financed film Hollywood SHUFFLE pokes fun at the struggles many black actors face whilst looking for an acting career in Hollywood. It's sad as well because many of these stereotypes are still true to this day. While progress has been made in the American Movie Industry, they still need to make more progress. This film showed people how the Movie making business handles the majority of young black actors who're trying to make it in the movies.
The story is about a young, talented and aspiring actor who wants to make it in Hollywood as a director. But when he tries out for roles, he meets a lot of stumbling blocks. Many of these are about his racial background (i.e. he's not black enough, he's too black, doesn't act black, etc. etc.). Eventually he's offered a role but will he throw away his dignity to accept it? Can young Robert make it in Hollywood without "selling out"? Will his peer drag him down? To find out you'll just have to watch Hollywood SHUFFLE.
Highly recommended film.