🚀 go-pugleaf

On Sun, 9 Feb 1997, Smith, Barry wrote:

> 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 would suggest that you take a look for yourself rather than to accept
the opinions of others.  Amos 'n' Andy portrayed a balanced view of
African Americans:  Policemen, lawyers, business people were depicted.  As
for the type of comedy:  Take a look at the other TV programs of that era:
Lucy, Abbot & Costello, The Three Stooges.  The comedy is very similar.
The TV version of Amos 'n' Andy is not (in my opinion) racist.  It is a
favorite program of many people who simply don't understand the critism.
Again, I would suggest that you go to the nearest video store and rent
some Amos 'n Andy Shows."

>  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?
>   

I have no idea.  He donated $20,000 to our theatre and sent the message
that we had saved the lives of countless young people, who without our
theatre would have been in gangs or in trouble.

> > 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...

We have never actively sought contributions in the 45 years that we have
operated our theatre.  In fact the reason that we have lasted so very long
is that our support has come mostly from the box office and from the
support of the community.  Our most famous show "Norman Is That You" ran
for 7 years.  We do quality, award-winning work.  Our Federal tax ID
number and our status with the State of California is public record which
available to anyone.

> 
> > 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...

Am I to suppose that if a white group is critical of Mark Twain, that I am
to assume that all whites are critical of him?  I would be glad to vsit
that group and to voice my opinion there if I was aware of the name of the
group.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinions about anything. Yet, an
opinion is not TRUTH.  

I have photos of my parents transforming an empty building to a theatre.
They transformed 4 empty buildings into theatres.  They used cast-off
materials from the old CBS building which was being torn down to build
their first theatre.  

>  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 father's given name is Horace Winfred Stewart.  I used the parentheses
to mention two of the most familiar of the many characters that he played. 
He was born of West Indian parents in New York.  He was sent to live with
an aunt and he grew up in Barbados, BWI.  He is a hoofer, comedian,
vaudevillian who traveled with the greats:  I you wish, give me your phone
number and you can talk to him.  Visit Clamen's movie database on the Web
... do your research there.  He worked in "Stormy Weather," "Carmen
Jones," Mae west put him in his first movie "Go West Young Man."  I can
(in private email)  give you the name of a librarian in the Los Angeles
Library who can help you.  There is a special file in the Literature
Department which is about our theatre and the quality work that my parents
have done. 

> > 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..

Unfortunately our theatre has been vandalized several times within the
last several months.  Our records, 45 years of equipment, supplies, our
belongings, are inside the theatre.  The Community Redevelopment Agency is
attempting to claim all of our things.  We have been locked out.  I would
be glad to fax you a copy of the eminent domain proceedings which speak of
the vandalism.  I am available to talk to you or to anyone who would like
to help save our award-winning institution.  This has put my dad in the
hospital.  He too, would be glad to talk to anyone who is sincere. 


>  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 am not one of them.  Call the Wilshire Police Department, 213-485-4020,
ask for Sargeant Batesole. He knows us, and has written a letter of
support.  Call Locke High School, ask for the Principal, Mrs.  Webb. My
Dad worked with their Drug Free school zone project and helped many kids
to stay off drugs just last year.  I have information that I would be glad
to fax to anyone who is sincere.  

Our problems are the result of trying to comply with the city of Los
Angeles seismic ordinance which required that all brick buildings built a
long time ago bring the buildings up to a new code.  The work was very
expensive (hundreds of thousands of dollars are typical costs for such
work).  We had to upgrade  two buildings.  

>  I'm sure you understand...

Not really, Barry.  I can be reached for more information.  We are
available.  My parents have made too much of a sacrifice to be thrown out
in the street by a redevelopment agency.  They were refused the rights do
do plays at first... but Audry Woods (Tenessee Williams agent) helped
them.  They had trouble renting a building in those days, simply because
of the color of their skin.  But they worked and sacrificed for others.
My dad even played stereotyped roles so that they could build a
first-class theatre and so that no one else would have to play such roles.
So a critism of "Amos 'n' Andy" is not relevent.  

> 
>  
> > 
> > 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.

We still need volunteers, Barry.  Right now, with the theatre being
boarded up, the internet must become our theatre and our stage.  I am
determined to keep our theatre alive and functioning.  Building or not!!! 
But with the help of just a few people, we can get back into our building
and we can continue our work with the kids in our community and with the
people all over the world who need us, and who need our dedication and
sincerity and ability to bring a positive presence to the world.  We are
humanitarians.  Our theatre is open to everyone without respect to race or
color.

 I will post more information on our website.  As soon as our lawyer says
it is o.k., we will issue a press release. 

I have always marveled at how the crooks look like good people, and the
good people are given a hard time.

Valarie (I am not a "mister.")

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Showbiz Memorabilia.  Resources & Opportunities.  Helping Creative &
Inventive People.... One person at a time!  "A theatre needs to be more
than just a building... A culture must be more than a collection of art &
music," says Nick (Lightnin' & Brer Bear) Stewart, co-founder.  Outreach
from the Ebony Showcase Theatre Cultural Arts Center, Inc. (est. 1950) to
the World.  http://h4h.com/~talent, 213-936-1107, 213-936-6009 BBS.