🚀 go-pugleaf

TALENTSCOUT wrote:
> 
> LIGHTNIN' STRIKES POLITICAL CORRUPTION!!!!
> 
> My dad is the last living major cast member of both "Amos 'n' Andy" and
> Walt Disney's "Song of the South."  He played the part of Lightnin' and
> created the voice of Brer Bear for Walt Disney.  His voice is on Splash
> Mountain (the Disneyland ride).  He is a vaudevilian, hoofer, comedian,
> and humanitarian.  He can also be seen in many vintage movies, in fact,
> Mae West put him in his first movie.

Dear Mr. Talent Scout:

 Please pardon the intrusion, I don't mean to sound skeptical, but,
that's just the kind of hair pin I am... 
 It's long been my understanding that both the Radio and Television
versions of Amos n Andy portrayed African Americans in the most negative
of stereotypes.
 I may be mistaken, and perhaps you might clarify for the good people in
the newsgroup, but didn't Bill Cosby buy up all the rights to the
television series, specifically because of said bromides?
  
> He and my mother received "Living Legend" awards from the National Black
> Theatre Festival in Winston Salem, NC.  The letter said "Congratulations!
> Because you made profound contributions to Black theatre in America, as
> well as the entertainment industry as a whole and you are respected
> internationally as humanitarian, you have chosen to be honored at the 1995
> National Black Theatre Festival as the recipient of the Festival's "Living
> Legend Award."

 No doubt Mr. Talentscout, if indeed you are his offspring, I salute his
contributions to movie making and especially pay respect to his
outstanding career in vaudville. But, I would be remiss to point out
that the internet is just chock full of people seeking contributions,
and I needn't illustrate that in this particular media, anyone can be
whomever they want, say anything they want, or in some circumstances, be
the son or daughter of anyone they want....
 I'm sure you understand that...

> My father also received the "Career Achievement" Award from the L.A.
> Weekly Newspaper.  My parents started the careers of many famous people.
> Other famous people have been presented on the stage of the Ebony Showcase
> Theatre which was founded by my parents 45 years ago.
> 
> My parents and I have been named in an eminent domain case.  We filed a
> counter complaint against the agency.  We just received a fax notice on
> Friday at 11 A.M. that stated that the Los Angeles Community Development
> Agency (CRA) attorney, Joseph S. Avila, will be appearing in Department 59
> of the Los Angeles Superior court, located at 111 N. Hill Street, Los
> Angeles, CA, on Monday, February 10, 1997, at 8:30 A.M. to file an ex
> parte application for IMMEDIATE prejudgment possession of our theatre by
> the Community Redevelopment Agency.  We need immediate help if we are to
> save our beloved theatre from eminent domain.

 A cursory investigation of the internet via WEBCRAWLER, brought me to
an African American entertainment group. In this particular group, they
offer what I feel and honest critique' of the Amos n Andy series. And
deal, in depth, with stereotypes in film and television...
 I found it interesting, and perhaps it's just my skeptical nature, but
you call the man you allege to be your father: Nick (Lightin/Brer Bear)
Stewart.
 But I know that during his career in vaudville and Television he went
by the name: Horace (Nick O'Demus) Stewart. (a visit to
WWW.geocities.com/hollywood/2587/cast.htm) Will bear me out...
 Perhaps you might straighten us out on that, I'm sure it's just an
innocent oversight on your part...
 
> My parents have worked very hard to build their theatre.  They transformed
> an empty building to an award winning theatre and arts center.  They
> started their theatre over 45 years ago the old-fashioned way. They didn't
> move away, but stayed in the same community and made a personal investment
> which improved their community... with love and dedication for over 45 years.
> 
> The Ebony Showcase Theatre & Cultural Arts Center, Inc. is a non profit
> organization, and all donations are tax deductible to the full extent of
> the law.  My dad will celebrate his 87th birthday in just a few weeks.
> Please help to make his birthday a happy one by helping us to save our
> community theatre from an unwelcome government take-over.

 And I suppose the last point I would make is with regards to soliciting
contributions. I'm not accusing anyone of anything Mr. Talentscout,
indeed, I mearly need clarification on these points. I do so without
malice, with a smile on my face and a song in my heart...
 I don't know what the law may require in other states, but in New
Jersey, I am entitled by statute to request a financial statement from
any individual or organization requesting my contribution. It is my
right to ask this of you..
 Would you be willing to post such a financial report on the internet
Mr. Talentscout? You know how it is these days... There's a lot of
unscrupulous and unsavory characters out there, willing and eager to
take advantage and exploit the good and generous natures of kind hearted
people like me...

 I'm sure you understand...

Sincerely,
Barry Smith
 
> 
> Bill Cosby told my dad, "Nick, Heaven only knows how many potential
> anti-social kids you've turned around."
> 

> Please call me at 213-936-1107 (leave a message if I'm not there) or fax
> your pledge of help or of money to 213-965-0420.  You can also log onto my
> BBS 213-936-6009 (BBS validation will be done within a few hours).
> 
> We need volunteers to help raise money and to get the word out.  All
> donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.  Please help
> in any way you can.  We will honor you on our website.
> 
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Outreach from the Ebony Showcase Theatre Cultural Arts Center to the
> World.  Movie/TV Memorabilia.  Resources & Opportunities for Creative &
> Inventive People.  "A theatre needs to be more than just a building... A
> culture must be more than a collection of art & music."  Nick (Lightnin' &
> Brer Bear) Stewart, co-founder.  http://h4h.com/~talent - BBS 213-936-6009