Night of Courage

My name is Tony Olivieri and am listed in the credits as Miguel..

Angel, (David Hernandez), and I had a scene together where I enter the locker room after his school play performance to tell Angel, that his girlfriend, was waiting for him. She was about to tell him that she was pregnant and wanted to abort the baby. It was my first time in a speaking role, and the director was very open to suggestions from David and myself.

In the scene Angel was in a hurry to get dressed but got into a verbal sparring session with a fellow student, a large black kid who'd also gone on to make additional films. The kids were reacting to the comment from the other guy when Angel shot him a one-liner in response, per the script. The kids were supposed to react to Angel's comment with a little zeal, but it came out all wrong. I'd mentioned to the director that perhaps the reaction should be one of jubilant cheering to the comments by pint sized Angel to the much larger black student. I'm sorry I forgot his name...We re-shot the scene and it went much better.

David and I had the same agent, Salazar & Navas, and had several auditions together, but I gave up and pursued my education. The movie aired on 12 JAN 87 as an ABC-TV movie of the week.

Unfortunately, I lost my only copy of the tape when my family moved while I was away at college that fall. I would love to get a copy so I can save it for my son. If anyone has a copy available, please contact me.

Thanks a TON,

Tony Olivieri +1 312 280 4848

This is a great film. It shows the misconceptions and racial problems that face society today. It's a sad story that shows that even in a town where every Unfounded prejudice and bad assumptions are evident, things are not always as they might be perceived. When David Hernandez or the character Angel Ortiz pretends to be the old man (Bernard Hughes) by imitating his voice solely to protect the old man and woman (Geraldine Fitzgerald) was truly a sacrifice within it's own story line meaning.

David Hernandez is also mentioned in the TV Guide of that time period where Tom Hodges (Lili Taylors TV racist gang bang brother)explained that at a Humbolt park night shoot there was to be a gang war that even the Chicago Police warned about, The production company was told to pack it up for the night by the authorities "It would be too dangerous to film". David Hernandez took the incredible risk that very night, to meet separately with the two gang leaders at war and negotiated a truce for the night, David Hernandez is a die hard Latin Male who believes in himself and the betterment of the Hispanic community and all communities as a whole. This was truly a real life Night of Courage if you ask me!!! I would like to see this program air again. I think it only aired once as a Monday Night Movie Of the Week.

The last thing I saw David Hernandez in was Original Gangstas as the Guns Dealer. Pam Grier, Fred Williamson, Jim Brown Star amongst other big Names. Although he had a speaking role as Latino the gun dealer, he is listed in the credits as a stunt man!? I think someone really messed up there with the credits.

Then there was: Lady Blue, Code Of Silence, Don't Forget Sherie-American Red Cross,Jack and Mike-Made for TV series, The Untouchables-Cuba II- TV series, Look who's coming for dinner an ECO production and several other film's and commercials like the Michael Jordan - MC Donalds nothing but net spot! I have seen his work and wonder where he is today?

As far as Night Of Corage is concerned---Good film with a powerful message. If you don't care for the message or the values of our society and racial unity you will never enjoy this powerful film or You just may fall asleep half way through before getting the point!