Film about America’s first ‘black Tonight Show’ offered as Stand Virtual Cinema
Host/Producer/Creator of the television show SOUL!, Ellis Haizlip, is surrounded by members of the J.C. White Choir just after their performance on the show. (Courtesy Shoes in the Bed Productions)
(L to R) SOUL! director Stan Latham stands with cameraman on set for the interview between Host/Producer/Creator of the TV show SOUL! Ellis Haizlip with filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles (Sweet Sweetback’s Baaddass Song). (Courtesy Shoes in the Bed Productions)
Host/Producer/Creator of the television show SOUL!, Ellis Haizlip takes a moment. (Photo by Ivan Cury/Courtesy Shoes in the Bed Productions)
Host/Producer/Creator of the television show SOUL!, Ellis Haizlip sits with playwright and author AmIri Baraka. (Courtesy Shoes in the Bed Productions)
Host/Producer/Creator of the television show SOUL!, Ellis Haizlip, is surrounded by members of the J.C. White Choir just after their performance on the show. (Courtesy Shoes in the Bed Productions)
(L to R) SOUL! director Stan Latham stands with cameraman on set for the interview between Host/Producer/Creator of the TV show SOUL! Ellis Haizlip with filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles (Sweet Sweetback’s Baaddass Song). (Courtesy Shoes in the Bed Productions)
Host/Producer/Creator of the television show SOUL!, Ellis Haizlip takes a moment. (Photo by Ivan Cury/Courtesy Shoes in the Bed Productions)
Host/Producer/Creator of the television show SOUL!, Ellis Haizlip sits with playwright and author AmIri Baraka. (Courtesy Shoes in the Bed Productions)
While its physical doors are temporarily closed, the Strand Theatre continues to offer a weekly schedule of new release films that viewers can watch through online streaming platforms. By purchasing a “virtual ticket,” movie fans can still see the films that would have shown at the theater. Ticket proceeds are split between the Strand and the movie distribution company, so a viewer’s purchase is a simple and direct way to provide much-needed support for the theater.
SOUL! the Movie will be available August 28 - Sept. 3.
Right on the heels of the Civil Rights Movement, one fearless black pioneer reignited a Harlem Renaissance for a new era, ushering giants and rising stars of Black American culture onto the national television stage. He was hip. He was smart. He was innovative, political and gay. In his personal fight for social equality, this man ensured the revolution would be televised. The man was Ellis Haizlip. The Revolution was SOUL! - a weekly television show that aired on public television from 1968 - 1973, celebrating Black American culture, art, life and community and sharing it with the nation via the airwaves.
The film features rare live performances and interviews from the legendary Al Green, heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, Sidney Poitier, Cicely Tyson, James Baldwin, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind and Fire, Ashford and Simpson, Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes, Billy Preston, Black Ivory, The Delfonics, Bill Withers, Nikki Giovanni, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Sonia Sanchez, The Last Poets, Wilson Pickett, Odetta, Merry Clayton, Mandrill, Kool and the Gang, Toni Morrison, Kathleen Cleaver, Betty Shabazz, Stokely Carmichael, Mrs. George Jackson, George Faison, Patti Labelle and many more.
The film MR. SOUL! is directed and produced by Melissa Haizlip, and features music composed by Grammy winning musician/composer Robert Glasper with narration by Blair Underwood – one of the film’s producers.
The film is not rated. Running time is 1 hour, 40 minutes.
Virtual tickets cost $12, and will be available on the Strand Theatre website during the film’s screening dates. Once viewers have purchased a ticket, they will have several days in which to watch the film.
For more information, visit www.RocklandStrand.com, email: info@rocklandstrand.com, or call (207) 594-0070. Strand Theatre, 345 Main Street, Rockland, ME 04841
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