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Bojangles (film)
Encyclopedia
Bojangles is an American biographical drama
that chronicles the life of entertainer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson
(1878–1949). This film boasts some incredible tap dance
routines and a complicated, if not unique, interpretation of the main character by Gregory Hines
, who also served as an executive producer.
Starting with Robinson's funeral, including what looks like archival footage of the event, the film then plays out the biography in a straightforward manner as a flashback
, both in color and black-and-white.
In 1916, Robinson was a successful vaudeville
performer and considered the finest tap dancer of his generation. At the peak of his career, he was the highest paid Black entertainer, but for all the joy he gave others, his life was anything but happy, there was a great deal of tragedy in himself. He died broke and penniless.
When the American Civil War
was still a living memory, segregation in public facilities was the rule, rather than the exception, and all sorts of strange and arbitrary regulations were aimed at keeping people of color in a separate and inferior position. On the vaudeville circuits there was what was known as the "two-colored rule"—no solo performances for black entertainers; at least two had to be on the stage. But Robinson started in the black-face productions and shocked people when he worked as a solo act. He also starred on Broadway
and was a headliner in Canada
, which did not have the same issues with racism as America, and while roles for black actors in Hollywood were severely limited at the time, Robinson managed to become a recognized screen star, headlining the musical Stormy Weather
and appearing in a significant number of films with child star Shirley Temple
.
Robinson was a great subject for a movie biography. He loved his native New York City
and gained notoriety for his generosity, performing at more of 3000 benefits, but was also a compulsive gambler and a womanizer.
Hines, arguably the greatest tap dancer of his generation, displays his fascination with the history of the art, but instead of creating a glorified image of the man and his work, he shows a different side of the entertainer. The best scenes of Bojangles are the dance numbers, including a memorable duplication by Hines of a filmed dance by Robinson using an up-and-down set of stairs in which Hines' step dance is repeated with the film of Robinson's, side by side. An effective supporting cast helps to keep the energy levels from flagging. Kimberly Elise
is charming as Robinson's wife of 27 years, and Peter Riegert
adds dimension to Marty Forkins, Robinson's loyal agent who gave up other clients–the Marx Brothers
, Will Rogers
—to focus on building Robinson's career. Bojangles also features Savion Glover
and Maria Ricossa. All of these characters speak directly to the camera/audience at one point or another, a device that also helps vary the mostly straight-line storyline.
Furthermore, the film allows the opportunity for the audience to examine the difficulties of black entertainers back then against similar difficulties today. Bojangles was produced by Darrick Productions and MGM Television
for the Showtime premium cable network.
Biographical film
A biographical film, or biopic , is a film that dramatizes the life of an actual person or people. They differ from films “based on a true story” or “historical films” in that they attempt to comprehensively tell a person’s life story or at least the most historically important years of their...
that chronicles the life of entertainer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson
Bill Robinson
Bill “Bojangles” Robinson was an American tap dancer and actor of stage and film. Audiences enjoyed his understated style, which eschewed the frenetic manner of the jitterbug in favor of cool and reserve; rarely did he use his upper body, relying instead on busy, inventive feet, and an expressive...
(1878–1949). This film boasts some incredible tap dance
Tap dance
Tap dance is a form of dance characterized by using the sound of one's tap shoes hitting the floor as a percussive instrument. As such, it is also commonly considered to be a form of music. Two major variations on tap dance exist: rhythm tap and Broadway tap. Broadway tap focuses more on the...
routines and a complicated, if not unique, interpretation of the main character by Gregory Hines
Gregory Hines
Gregory Oliver Hines was an American actor, singer, dancer and choreographer.-Early years:Born in New York City, Hines and his older brother Maurice started dancing at an early age, studying with choreographer Henry LeTang...
, who also served as an executive producer.
Starting with Robinson's funeral, including what looks like archival footage of the event, the film then plays out the biography in a straightforward manner as a flashback
Flashback (narrative)
Flashback is an interjected scene that takes the narrative back in time from the current point the story has reached. Flashbacks are often used to recount events that happened before the story’s primary sequence of events or to fill in crucial backstory...
, both in color and black-and-white.
In 1916, Robinson was a successful vaudeville
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
performer and considered the finest tap dancer of his generation. At the peak of his career, he was the highest paid Black entertainer, but for all the joy he gave others, his life was anything but happy, there was a great deal of tragedy in himself. He died broke and penniless.
When the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
was still a living memory, segregation in public facilities was the rule, rather than the exception, and all sorts of strange and arbitrary regulations were aimed at keeping people of color in a separate and inferior position. On the vaudeville circuits there was what was known as the "two-colored rule"—no solo performances for black entertainers; at least two had to be on the stage. But Robinson started in the black-face productions and shocked people when he worked as a solo act. He also starred on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
and was a headliner in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, which did not have the same issues with racism as America, and while roles for black actors in Hollywood were severely limited at the time, Robinson managed to become a recognized screen star, headlining the musical Stormy Weather
Stormy Weather (1943 film)
Stormy Weather is a 1943 American musical film produced and released by 20th Century Fox. The film is one of two major Hollywood musicals produced in 1943 with primarily African-American casts, the other being MGM's Cabin in the Sky, and is considered a time capsule showcasing some of the top...
and appearing in a significant number of films with child star Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple Black , born Shirley Jane Temple, is an American film and television actress, singer, dancer, autobiographer, and former U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia...
.
Robinson was a great subject for a movie biography. He loved his native New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and gained notoriety for his generosity, performing at more of 3000 benefits, but was also a compulsive gambler and a womanizer.
Hines, arguably the greatest tap dancer of his generation, displays his fascination with the history of the art, but instead of creating a glorified image of the man and his work, he shows a different side of the entertainer. The best scenes of Bojangles are the dance numbers, including a memorable duplication by Hines of a filmed dance by Robinson using an up-and-down set of stairs in which Hines' step dance is repeated with the film of Robinson's, side by side. An effective supporting cast helps to keep the energy levels from flagging. Kimberly Elise
Kimberly Elise
Kimberly Elise is an American film and television actress. She is best known for her role in the films Set It Off, Beloved, John Q, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, and For Colored Girls...
is charming as Robinson's wife of 27 years, and Peter Riegert
Peter Riegert
Peter Riegert is an American actor, screenwriter, and film director, best known for his role as Boon from Animal House and crooked New Jersey State Assemblyman Ronald Zellman on the HBO original series The Sopranos.-Early life:...
adds dimension to Marty Forkins, Robinson's loyal agent who gave up other clients–the Marx Brothers
Marx Brothers
The Marx Brothers were an American family comedy act, originally from New York City, that enjoyed success in Vaudeville, Broadway, and motion pictures from the early 1900s to around 1950...
, Will Rogers
Will Rogers
William "Will" Penn Adair Rogers was an American cowboy, comedian, humorist, social commentator, vaudeville performer, film actor, and one of the world's best-known celebrities in the 1920s and 1930s....
—to focus on building Robinson's career. Bojangles also features Savion Glover
Savion Glover
Savion Glover is an American tap dancer, actor, and choreographer. As a learning prodigy, he was taught by notable dancers from previous generations. Glover is currently interested in restoring African roots to tap...
and Maria Ricossa. All of these characters speak directly to the camera/audience at one point or another, a device that also helps vary the mostly straight-line storyline.
Furthermore, the film allows the opportunity for the audience to examine the difficulties of black entertainers back then against similar difficulties today. Bojangles was produced by Darrick Productions and MGM Television
MGM Television
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television is an American television production/distribution launched in 1955 and a subsidiary of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc....
for the Showtime premium cable network.
TV Awards
- Black Reel Awards (2002) http://us.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Black_Reel_Awards/
- Kimberly EliseKimberly EliseKimberly Elise is an American film and television actress. She is best known for her role in the films Set It Off, Beloved, John Q, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, and For Colored Girls...
- Best Supporting Actress- Image Award (2002) http://us.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Image_Awards/
- Gregory HinesGregory HinesGregory Oliver Hines was an American actor, singer, dancer and choreographer.-Early years:Born in New York City, Hines and his older brother Maurice started dancing at an early age, studying with choreographer Henry LeTang...
- Outstanding Actor
TV Nominations
- Emmy Awards (2001) http://us.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Emmy_Awards/
- Gregory Hines - Outstanding Lead Actor
- Henry LeTang - Outstanding Choreography
- Image Awards (2002)
- Outstanding Movie
- Kimberly Elise - Outstanding Lead Actress
- Golden Reel Award (2002) http://us.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Motion_Picture_Sound_Editors_USA/
- Best Sound Editing
- Screen Actors Guild Awards (2002) http://us.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Screen_Actors_Guild_Awards/
- Gregory Hines - Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor