Black Actors - HISTORY:
Born January 16, 1906, in New York City, Ralph J. Cooper, started as a dancer, and became widely know as a prosperous actor/choreographer/band leader/writer/singer. Was named "The Dark Gable," after Clark Gable, due to his handsome, strong good looks, charm and wit.
 |
| Cooper, with Lena Horne, from movie "The Duke Is Tops" |
Amazingly too talented for Hollywood, would not accept stereotypical roles given to Blacks, so decided to make and star in films for Blacks. Choreographer of movie "Poor Little Rich Girl" starring Shirley Temple. Desired to make movies that portrayed gangsters and bad men just like James Cagney or Humphrey Bogart role-playing, and his movies became extremely popular in the Black community. One of his popular films was "The Duke Is Tops," starring with Lena Horne.
In 1933, he created the HARLEM AMATEUR HOUR radio show at Frank Schiffman's Lafayette Theater. The famous Apollo Theater, that was called Hurtig and Seamon's Burlesque during that time, was initially set up for burlesque entertainment, allowing Blacks to perform but could not sit in the audience. Renamed 125th Street Apollo Theater, and on Friday, January 26, 1934, was officially opened, welcoming Blacks in the audience for the first time, spotlighting a "colored revue" called "JAZZ a la CARTE." The review featured Cooper, Benny Carter and his orchestra, and "The 16 Gorgeous Hot Steppers."
Cooper persuaded owner Sidney Cohen and manager Morris Sussman to let him bring his amateur radio hour to Apollo, which was renamed "Amateur Night," and dancer-turned-singer Ella Fitzgerald won her amateur night debut.
Ralph Cooper became host for Apollo Amateur Night, watching many performers win and become world-famous megastars, including: Billie Holliday, Sarah Vaughn, Jackie Wilson, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Gladys Knight, even Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5.
He was Master of Ceremonies for 50 years, and passed away on April 4, 1992. He was 84.
In 1933, he created the HARLEM AMATEUR HOUR radio show at Frank Schiffman's Lafayette Theater. The famous Apollo Theater, that was called Hurtig and Seamon's Burlesque during that time, was initially set up for burlesque entertainment, allowing Blacks to perform but could not sit in the audience. Renamed 125th Street Apollo Theater, and on Friday, January 26, 1934, was officially opened, welcoming Blacks in the audience for the first time, spotlighting a "colored revue" called "JAZZ a la CARTE." The review featured Cooper, Benny Carter and his orchestra, and "The 16 Gorgeous Hot Steppers."
Cooper persuaded owner Sidney Cohen and manager Morris Sussman to let him bring his amateur radio hour to Apollo, which was renamed "Amateur Night," and dancer-turned-singer Ella Fitzgerald won her amateur night debut.
Ralph Cooper became host for Apollo Amateur Night, watching many performers win and become world-famous megastars, including: Billie Holliday, Sarah Vaughn, Jackie Wilson, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Gladys Knight, even Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5.
He was Master of Ceremonies for 50 years, and passed away on April 4, 1992. He was 84.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for stopping by, and checking out our blog, Graphically Speaking... Creations of Thought! It would be extremely appreciative if you could provide some sort of message after reading each post. PLEASE feel free to leave a comment of your thoughts, suggestions, or even critique! May God continue bless and keep you in His care, always! :)