| Author Name: | Ely, Melvin Patrick |
|---|---|
| Date: | {{{date}}} |
| Journal: | [[{{{journal}}}]] |
| Volume: | {{{volume}}} |
| Topic: | Race and Film |
| Pages: | {{{pages}}} |
The author traces the history of Amos 'n' Andy and its impact on a changing society, and documents the development of black consciousness in American society. The author examines the changing responses of both blacks and whites to Amos 'n' Andy and examines what they reveal about the evolution of racial attitudes during the decades from the 1920's, when the series first aired, to the 50's, when it was transplanted to network TV. The author argues that the roots of Amos 'n' Andy come from the minstrel shows in which white writers (and radio performers) Charles Correll and Freeman Gosden learned their trade. The author also examines how the show won the hearts of millions and created dismay and antagonism in the minds of many. The author shows that the responses of blacks to this comedy show were always mixed, some seeing it as harmful to black self-respect and poisonous to whites' perceptions of blacks, and others finding no racism in its humor. Nor were its critics consistent, some who had praised it in the 30's damned it in the 50's, and vice versa. Hundreds of old scripts, newspaper clippings and fan letters constitute the primary sources for this book.