Say Amen, Somebody

I'm shocked at how few people have seen this film and voted on it. I agree completely with Leonard Maltin's 4-star summary. It's not only a documentary on the lives of two of gospel's founders, Willie Mae Ford Smith and Thomas Dorsey, but it follows them and their families, along with other gospel singers, in the present day.

In some ways, it reminds me of HOOP DREAMS. In one scene, Zella Jackson Price is feeling insecure, talking over serious family issues in the kitchen. And then she's in church, belting out "I'm happy just to know that I'm His child", one of the most powerful, and moving gospel renditions I've heard. And I'm not religious.

As I write this, 2500 people have voted for HOWARD THE DUCK, only 10 for SAY AMEN, SOMEBODY. Something's definitely wrong here.

This film is a surprise and keeps the viewer interested! I rented this out of "professional" curiosity as wanting to check out documentaries. Also the fact that it is now 20 years old made me wonder how it would fly now. Well, time has not dented this film at all. The music is uplifting and the dynamics portrayed between not only family members but the some of the central people profiled (Willie Mae Ford Smith, Thomas A. Dorsey & Sallie Martin) are compelling, if not at times (in the light of human nature), somewhat humorous. As far as bringing gospel music into churches, Ms. Smith and Mr. Dorsey were definitely pioneers. Their struggle was unique, but they kept going and nurtured others who wanted to go this same route.

Never have I responded so thoroughly to people in a documentary. I initially became curious about it because of Roger Ebert who rated it so highly.

Now I have it in my collection and whenever I am feeling down, I watch it. In addition to Willie Mae Ford Smith and Thomas A. Dorsey, I love all of the other singers too. In an era when it is possible to feel numb about life, this film and its vivid people help you to process pain and sadness. What survivors! How I would like to meet all of these people. Some of these people are not conventionally pretty, but, oh my! they help you feel again. It is so moving to hear their reminiscences when many are shown later in their lives.

So sadly, many of them are no longer with us. We are all a little poorer without them. That's why we can be so thankful that this film was able to capture what we might have missed. What a terribly sad end to the life of Sallie Martin!

God bless mother Smith and Thomas Dorsey.

We are all richer for them.

I first saw this movie on Bravo or A&E and was instantly captivated. I found it a year or so later on VHS and almost wore the tape out. I showed it to as many of my friends and family who would watch it. I am elated to finally see it released on DVD with bonus material and an accompanying soundtrack CD. This is my favorite movie/documentary of all time, bar none. It inspires me, and moves me. People don't sing like that anymore. Mother Willie May Ford Smith is absolutely a joy to listen to and watch. All of the persons featured are amazing. I just wish I could have heard Mother Smith in her prime. Mr. Dorsey is the Father of Gospel and I loved watching him sing and talk. This is Gospel 101. Everyone who aspires to be a Gospel singer should watch this. Everyone who loves history/music should watch this. It is a Master's Class in performance. Enjoy.

Documentaries really don't get much better than this. It's a look behind the scenes at a world few (particularly white) viewers get to see unless it appears on a religious TV show if you like in a town with a black population. We see the lives and performances of two gospel greats, Willie May Ford Smith and Thomas Dorsey. The documentary follows their lives from the early days and leads up to a big conference when the two dynamic subjects share an auditorium. The documentary shows the joy of gospel music in an age of cynicism. We feel the purity of expression here and see very little of the commercial trappings we see in so much of organized religion. People are singing because it feels good! People are responding to these singers because it feels good! People are saying amen because it feels good! Recommended as an antidote to the blahs.