Soul! # 66
Soul! # 66
Soul! # 66 Author Chester Himes, actor Al Freeman, Jr., The Dells. Hosted by Nikki Giovanni, Ellis Haizlip & Gerry Bledsoe.
Soul! # 66
MS/CU author Chester Himes sitting in audience, listening to actor Al Freeman Jr. read an excerpt of his autobiography "The Quality of Hurt." MS/TLS Al Freeman Jr. reading work of Chester Himes to audience seated in Club Soul. Gerry Bledsoe welcomes audience, introduces program. MS novelist Chester Himes. MS actor Al Freeman Jr. MS Chester Himes sitting at table with Nikki Giovanni and Ellis Haizlip.
Soul! # 66
Gerry Bledsoe introduces The Dells. The Dells (Verne Allison, Chuck Barksdale, Michael McGill, Johnny Carter, Marvin Junior) perform their 1956 doowop hit "Oh What A Night."
Soul! # 66
The Dells continue performing "Oh What A Night" while Marvin Junior introduces his fellow Dells: Verne Allison, Chuck Barksdale, Michael McGill, Johnny Carter. Mr. Junior goes off on a tangent about the "One More Night" phenomenon, citing men having a evening with their woman before leaving for Vietnam or the death row convict about to be executed via electric chair. Cutaways of young black woman sitting in audience, more or less shrugging off Mr. Junior's speech.
Soul! # 66
STILL PHOTOS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR LICENSING Actor Al Freeman Jr. reads an excerpt from the autobiography of Chester Himes, "The Quality of Hurt." Archival still of Chester Himes & his siblings during their childhood. Still of Chester Himes' mother, Estelle Bomar Himes. Still of Himes family posing in doorway. Still of Chester Himes as a young man. Still of Chester Himes posing w/ brothers Joseph & Edward Himes.
Soul! # 66
The Dells (Verne Allison, Chuck Barksdale, Michael McGill, Johnny Carter, Marvin Junior) perform "Always Together." RnB, R 'n' B.
Soul! # 66
The Dells (Verne Allison, Chuck Barksdale, Michael McGill, Johnny Carter, Marvin Junior) perform "Stay In My Corner." Soul, RnB ballad. Johnny Carter closes song w/ great falsetto plea.
Soul! # 66
Actor Al Freeman Jr. reads an excerpt of the autobiography of Chester Himes, "The Quality of Hurt." Excerpt concerns the early education & sibling relationships of Mr. Himes, as well as racism encountered by brother Joe Himes during an attempt at medical attention. CUs author Chester Himes drinking water, listening to Mr. Freeman read aloud.
Soul! # 66
Actor Al Freeman Jr. continues reading an excerpt of the autobiography of Chester Himes, "The Quality of Hurt." Excerpt discusses racism experienced by Mr. Himes, especially within the publishing world. "I have since learned that American publishers are not interested in black writers unless they bleed from white torture." "I am not uplifted by other people's degradation." "I had considered myself a writer ever since I published my first story in Esquire when I was in prison in 1934. Foremost, a writer. Above all else, a writer. It was my salvation."
Soul! # 66
Ellis Haizlip, Nikki Giovanni, Chester Himes sit at round table in audience. Ellis Haizlip thanks Al Freeman, Jr. for reading so beautifully. Mr. Haizlip & Nikki Giovanni interview author Chester Himes. Chester Himes says his books about Harlem detectives Coffin Ed Johnson & Gravedigger Jones were first published in France b/c at the time American publishers were not interested in black detective fiction; Mr. Himes used the format of the detective novel to convey social & racial ills ("domestic stories"). Mr. Haizlip says its an honor to have Mr. Himes on the show, asks about how he feels to be living abroad; Chester Himes says it would be more comfortable to live in the United States, but several factors make it impossible for him to live in the U.S. ever again.
Soul! # 66
Ellis Haizlip & Nikki Giovanni continue to interview author Chester Himes. Ms. Giovanni says Mr. Himes' book "Blind Man With A Pistol" was allegorical & that his autobiography was the next natural step. Chester Himes says he still has much to write about, jokes he might write novels again. Mr. Himes says he was published 17-18 novels, one of which was published only in France. Mr. Himes says he & Melvin Van Peebles are good friends, having worked together on a serialized comic strip. Mr. Himes mentions La Series Noire (The Black Series) line of detective fiction.
Soul! # 66
Ellis Haizlip & Nikki Giovanni continue interviewing author Chester Himes. Mr. Himes says he became a writer while serving time in prison as it was "something to do," writing short stories for the black press & then Esquire magazine. Chester Himes says "The white community in America has always used dividing tactics against the black people. They're doing it today by turning the black woman against the black man." Mr. Himes & Nikki Giovanni discuss the negativity among the black intellectuals toward "The Lonely Crusade." Ms. Giovanni & Mr. Himes discuss the book "Cast the First Stone." Chester Himes says attitudes among black intellectuals, publishers, editors, etc have not changed much. Ellis Haizlip hopes Nikki Giovanni does not go into exile, then thanks the "dean of American black writers" Mr. Himes for coming onto the show. Chester Himes says "This is one of the highlights of my life, coming onto this black television program for a black audience b/c this is the first experience I've had, so thank you."
Soul! # 66
Nikki Giovanni introduces The Dells, mentioning that Ellis Haizlip is blushing & refers to grind-up dances of yesteryear. The Dells (Verne Allison, Chuck Barksdale, Michael McGill, Johnny Carter, Marvin Junior) perform "It's All Up to You." RnB, R 'n' B, soul.
Soul! # 66
The Dells (Verne Allison, Chuck Barksdale, Michael McGill, Johnny Carter, Marvin Junior) perform "The Love We Had (Always Stays On My Mind)." Rnb, R 'n' B, soul ballad,