Minstrel Man

Saw the Minstrel Man tv movie as an 8th grader in the 70s. At that time the plot introduced subjects I didn't quite understand at such a young age. Discussion ensued with my parents (northern black African-Americans born in the 1920s). They filled me in first hand about the horrific things they recalled about the Minstrel era and about the events their parents endured as musicians...but also instilled pride about the strength of those who resisted. 1 of my grandparents (born in the late 1800s was still living when the film was released and 2 others born around 1907 were also living). Somehow I found myself humming the theme music recently and decided to research. Learned the musical score was created by Fred Karlin, who won Emmys for the movie's music. However, I can not find any musical recording anywhere. Insane!! Any suggestions??

Where, oh where, can I find this film? I saw it long ago on TV--it was a tremendously moving, thoughtful, and painfully honest drama about race relations during the period it portrays. Beautifully acted and absolutely authentic in spirit. But it seems to have vanished forever.

It's too bad this TV movie has gotten lost and is unavailable on video--Maltin used to list it, and called it "outstanding". A touring minstrel company in the early part of the twentieth century is the focus; its experiences are used to dramatize the reality of racial relations in America; it resonates even today. It is honest, funny, and tragic. Somebody reissue it!

I noticed that the reviews for "Minstrel Man" were all very positive but many complained that the film isn't available on video of DVD. Well, although some say it might be because of political correctness, the fact is many 1970s made for TV films never came out on cassettes or DVD. And so, when you see this film on YouTube, ignore the 'banned movie' slogan slapped on it...no one or government banned it. This isn't to say that folks would be eager to show the film...which is kind of sad.

Now as far as political correctness goes, I can see that some would automatically become offended about any film with the word 'minstrel' in the title. After all, minstrel shows usually featured white men in black-face doing parodies of blacks....and the parodies were often very unflattering. Now here's an odd but seldom talked about truth....some of the very famous minstrels were actually BLACK men pretending to be white men pretending to be black!! In other words, they took control of their culture and the debate! As such, it's an important part of our history...whether it offends us or not. Because of this alone, I recommend you see the movie.

The main reason I saw this movie is because it stars Glynn Turman....a sadly underrated actor. Yes, he did make a terrible film ("J. D.'s REVENGE" is just godawful and I'm sure he regrets having made it)....but he also has many amazing performances and I wish he got the recognition he deserves. He is brilliant in films such as "Men of Honor" and his TV parts ("The Paper Chase" and "Fargo") are mesmerizingly good. I'd love to one day tell him in person how much I appreciate his acting. And, not surprisingly, here in "Minstrel Man" he's on the top of his game.

The film is set in the post Civil War era in America. Sadly, a black man who performs as a minstrel dies of a heart attack...leaving his two young sons to try to continue the act in order to eat. One hopes to one day become a successful musical composer...the other wants to rise to the top in the white-dominated minstrel circuit. The film shows their successes, failures and struggles, as the country wasn't exactly welcoming towards black men at that time.

Overall, the film is a well made look at a mostly lost part of our heritage...for good or for bad....like "Roots" or "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman" or "Bingo Long and His Traveling All-Stars". Well worth seeing.

For more than two decades, I have searched for my favorite movie, The Minstrel Man (1977), to be either televised or made available for purchase. An excellent performance was done by the cast of this film. This is a "heart-gripping" movie, that defines the inhumanity and positive evils of racism. This film exhibits Black Americans, as working, inventive, compassionate and creative human beings through horrific adversities, and yet they defy to totally release their integrity.

The Entertainment Industry has the audacity to act insulted by acusations like, "it is directly or indirectly at fault for creating and perpetuating monsters in the world". You are surely mentors of today's media. This is a small opportunity to right a big wrong.

I guess I answered my Summary?!