The history of the television version of "Amos and Andy" and the public outcry to cancel it.The history of the television version of "Amos and Andy" and the public outcry to cancel it.The history of the television version of "Amos and Andy" and the public outcry to cancel it.
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Freeman F. Gosden
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (as Freeman Gosden)
- …
Charles J. Correll
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (as Charles Correll)
- …
Spencer Williams
- Andy
- (archive footage)
Ernestine Wade
- Self
- (archive footage)
- …
Richard Correll
- Self
- (as Rich Correll)
Johnny Lee
- Calhoun
- (archive footage)
Jesse Jackson
- Self
- (as Rev. Jesse Jackson)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- ConnectionsFeatures Check and Double Check (1930)
Featured review
The Good, the bad and the Politically Correct
For 1983, this documentary reminds its modern audience about the dawn of television and how the "black" community was showcased to the world. Now, over 30 years later, the opinion on Amos n Andy is still divided. "Amos 'n' Andy" originally aired on CBS from June 1951 to June 1953 and was a huge hit, but was yanked off the air under tremendous pressure from the NAACP who felt it was racist. At the time, and to its credit, Amos n Andy was the first and only depiction of a "black community" on national television. The series cast a all black cast to depict its characters. While the Three Stooges and I Love Lucy only depicted "black" actors as servants, Amos n Andy showed black actors portraying black judges, lawyers, police officers, business owners, home owners, and yet, also moronic individuals who had trouble pronouncing and using proper English. Compared to Archie Bunkers depiction of the English language, many would defend Amos n Andy to the ignorance of Ralph from the Honeymooners or the majority of the cast members of Gilligan's Island.
Amos is among the cast but is also the Narrator to many of the episodes. Having Amos be the storyteller, it is almost a depiction of a Black man's story about his black friends. However, many would still argue that the depiction of 1950's African / Afro / Negro / Black American is still racist.
The controversy still continues. Then again, looking back at the quality of comedy from the early 50's, Amos n Andy still stands strong among today's audience. From the story line, quality of acting and production value, Amos n Andy still gathers laughs from its audience. Still, is the audience laughing for the right reasons.
This documentary posts a worthy question to its audience. The answer is left for you to give.
Amos is among the cast but is also the Narrator to many of the episodes. Having Amos be the storyteller, it is almost a depiction of a Black man's story about his black friends. However, many would still argue that the depiction of 1950's African / Afro / Negro / Black American is still racist.
The controversy still continues. Then again, looking back at the quality of comedy from the early 50's, Amos n Andy still stands strong among today's audience. From the story line, quality of acting and production value, Amos n Andy still gathers laughs from its audience. Still, is the audience laughing for the right reasons.
This documentary posts a worthy question to its audience. The answer is left for you to give.
helpful•40
- caspian1978
- Sep 22, 2015
Details
- Runtime1 hour
- Color
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What is the broadcast (satellite or terrestrial TV) release date of Amos 'n' Andy: Anatomy of a Controversy (1983) in Brazil?
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