Bojangles (2001) (TV)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Joseph Sargent

Writers (WGA):

Jim Haskins (book) and
N.R. Mitgang (book) ...

Release Date:

4 February 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

The dancing was real. The smile was not.

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Tap Dancing | Based On Book

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Gregory Hines	...	Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson
Peter Riegert	...	Marty
Kimberly Elise	...	Fanny May
Maria Ricossa	...	Rae
Savion Glover	...	Newcomer
Linette Robinson	...	Elaine
Jonathan Higgins	...	Darryl F. Zanuck
Lea Golde
Novie Edwards	...	Clarissa
Jackie Richardson
Caliaf St. Aubin
Aaron Meeks
Donovon Ian H. McKnight
Philip Akin
Roger Montgomery	...	Johnson, the Bartender

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Darric Productions

Trivia:

"Bojangles" was a left foot lead tap dancer, whereas Gregory Hines was a right foot lead tap dance. Hines had to learn tap with his left foot first, which is highlighted at the end of the movie when there is a side-by-side comparison of the two doing "Bojangles" specialty, the dancing staircase.

The tapping is the best part, but an overall fine, fine film.

This story about the life of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson begins in 1916, when after his performance he meets the young pharmacology student who he eventually marries. She was about 20, he was in his early 40s. The film ends about 30 years later, with what looks like original footage of his funeral procession in NYC. To 99% of the people "Bo" was a great and generous person and entertainer. To the other 1% who knew him intimately, he was apparently a real S.O.B.

A compulsive gambler and womanizer, his life was pretty close to a happy trainwreck. Dancing professionally until past the age of 65, he suffered with heart problems and died at age 71. During his prime he was the highest-paid black performer, and he was the black dancer in some of the early Shirley Temple movies.

The film is based on his biography, co-produced by star Gregory Hines, so I assume it is an accurate protrayal. In general I like fact-based films best, and I really like this one. I rate it "8" of 10. I also am a big fan of great dancing, and this film has that. I consider Hines not only a superb actor, but also one of the best modern dancers, and his portrayal of "Bojangles" seems so perfect. However, the real highlight for me is 1 hour 16 minutes into the film, when the newcomer kid, played by Savion Glover, does a routine that dazzles Bojangles, then they do a routine together in the dingy nightclub. The whole scene with all the tapping only lasts about 3 minutes, but it is a remarkable 3 minutes.

The DVD is very simple, no access to a menu, no digital sound, no extras. It is a Showtime movie.