SAY AMEN, SOMEBODY
Year: 1982
Country:
United States
Run Time:
100 minutes
Director George T. Nierenberg has celebrated on film two art forms that are distinctly indigenous to the United States. First he created "No Maps on My Taps" (1979), a documentary on jazz tap dancing, and now SAY AMEN, SOMEBODY, a musical documentary alternating gospel performances on stage with articulate recollections of gospel history at home, in a storefront church, at a convention and in the classroom. Both jazz tap dancing and gospel music derive from a rich black expression of joy and religion. Profiled are two legendary pioneers of gospel: Willie Mae Ford Smith (known as Mother Smith) and "The Father of Gospel Music," Thomas A. Dorsey. Both are still active in their careers and quite powerful in their ability to hold an audience spellbound, whether singing or talking about the old days. Also featured are younger performers such as the show-stopping Barrett Sisters and the twin O'Neal Brothers, who are expanding their field to include bluegrass, blues and pop sounds for a wider audience. The splendid recording of the dynamic live performances offers enough reason to see SAY AMEN, SOMEBODY, but no less involving and moving are scenes of family life, displayed with warm sincerity. Nierenberg captures the exuberant spirit inherent in the song and the singer.
Producer
George T. Nierenberg and Karen Nierenberg
Cinematography
Ed Lachman and Don Lenzer
Editing
Paul Barnes
Principal Cast
Willie Mae Ford Smith, Thomas A. Dorsey, Sallie Martin, DeLois Barrett Campbell, Billie Barrett Greenbey, Rhodessa Barrett Porter, Edward O'Neal, Edgar O'Neal, Zella Jackson Price, Michael Keith Smith, Billy Smith, Jackie Jackson, Bertha Smith
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