QUOTE(simplefable @ Jul 29 2009, 03:21 AM)
Faraaj...Paul Robeson !
Never knew about him till you showed him ! Used to think that Sidney Poitier is the first black actor who became famous..and whew..Robeson's accomplishments are just amazing !
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_RobesonHere is an Ace Director..
Yes, Robeson was a forerunner not only to black actors but also to political figures like Martin Luther King, Jesse Jackson, even Barack Obama. I can't recall if it was Dr.King who said that he could fight his fight because of Robeson....a brilliant student, all star athlete, great actor and superb singer, he is best remembered for his wonderful songs in Show Boat (1936). A wonderful movie with great songs like Ol' Man River (the Sinatra version is crap!), I Still Suits Me and Can't Help Lovin Dat Man.....Show Boat (1936) is a pathbreaking musical. Do watch it and then see the shameful Ava Gardner remake just to know why remakes are never a good idea....
Can I have a hint for the ace director....I know its not David Lean (that was my initial suspicion)....