In the groundbreaking black version of Carmen Jones there is a wonderful club scene Gypsy Song -Beat Out Dat Rhythm on a Drum featuring three sepia divas, Dorothy Dandridge, Pearl Bailey and Diahann Carroll. But there are at least three more present and future stars in the scene. As Carmen enters the club, the stunning woman with the pony-tail is famous beauty/dancer Carmen De Lavallade. Next two are fabled drummer Max Roach, and albeit just for a couple of seconds, Alvin Ailey! Continue reading
Category: film
3/7/25 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Stormy Weather- Lena Horne, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Cab Calloway, Nicholas Brothers, Katherine Dunham and dancers
Stormy Weather is a 1943 film musical produced and released by 20th Century Fox. The movie is considered one of the best Hollywood musicals with an all African-American cast and serve to showcase of some of the top African-American performers of the time. Continue reading
2/17/25 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: One In A Million – The Ron LeFlore Story
One In A Million: The Ron LeFlore Story is a 1978 American made-for-television biographical sports drama film telling the story of Ron LeFlore, a troubled Detroit youth who rose from Michigan prisons to star in Major League Baseball with the Detroit Tigers. The film was based on LeFlore’s autobiography, Breakout: From Prison To The Big Leagues.
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1/20/25 O&A NYC HAIL TO THE KING!: Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks (Prelude)
Martin: a ballet by Gordon Parks, an original five-movement ballet chronicling the struggles of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Filmed in 1990 the work stars John Jones as Dr. King and Sheila Rohan as Rosa Parks, featuring choreography by Real Lamb. “Martin” (PBS, 1990), about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King. Parks served as executive producer, director, composer, keyboardist and documentary photographer for this boldly ambitious project. Continue reading
12/28/24 O&A NYC MILESTONE: Happy 70th Birthday Denzel Washington
O&A NYC would like to celebration the 70th Birthday of actor, philanthropist, and role model Denzel Washington. Whose life and career has enriched the lives of untold individuals. The Mount Vernon native remembers his roots and the people and places that shaped his life. Washington spoke about his days as a Club kid at the Boys & Girls Club of Mount Vernon. He credited the time he spent there and the mentoring he received from caring staff as key to his survival and success. In honor of this milestone we present a soliloquy from Malcolm X.
Malcolm X (Denzel Washington) delivers a powerful speech about how Black people have been led astray by politicians in America. From the 1992 biographical film from director and co-writer Spike Lee, starring Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Albert Hall, Al Freeman Jr. and Delroy Lindo. Happy Birthday to a prolific man in the arts. Continue reading
12/25/24 O&A NYC MERRY CHRISTMAS: March of the Wooden Soldiers
Babes in Toyland is a Laurel and Hardy musical film released on March 10, 1934. The film is also known by its alternate titles Laurel and Hardy in Toyland, Revenge Is Sweet (the 1948 European reissue title), March of the Wooden Soldiers and Wooden Soldiers (in the United States). Continue reading
10/31/24 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Michael Jackson – Thriller
Thriller, Michael Jackson’s 1984 music video directed by John Landis and written by Landis and Jackson. Continue reading
10/28/24 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Sweet Transvestite Scene (The Rocky Horror Picture Show-1975)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a low-budget freak show/cult classic/cultural institution concerns the misadventures of Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick) and Janet Weiss (Susan Sarandon) inside a strange mansion that they come across on a rainy night. After the wholesome pair profess their love through an opening song, their car breaks down in the woods, and they seek refuge in mad scientist Dr. Frank N. Furter’s (Tim Curry), towering castle nearby. Continue reading
10/21/24 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Blacula (1972)
Blacula (1972) stars William Marshall in the title role as an 18th-century African prince named Mamuwalde. Continue reading
10/16/24 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Attack of the 50 Foot Woman- Nancy Awakens
In the 1950’s horror classic Attack of the 50 Foot Woman no one believes Nancy Archer (Allison Hayes), wife of philandering husband Harry Archer (William Hudson), had a run in with an extraterrestrial being. Finally, Sheriff Dubbitt (George Douglas) discovers the spacecraft and an alien being but it’s too late; Nancy has already enlarged to become… The 50 Foot Woman. Continue reading