Search - Scandalize My Name: Stories From the Blacklist on DVD

Talk about "the Black and the Red"

Jeffery Mingo | Homewood, IL USA | 06/07/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This documentary shows that McCarthy and his House Unamerican Activities Committee went after Black artists, just as it did to whites.

The documentary starts with Morgan Freeman, imitating many other PBS narrators, pretending like he's reading a book and then speaking to the camera. This introduction had me rolling on the floor. This documentary features Harry Belafonte and the elderly actress from the TV series "Amen." It also includes Ossie Davis (surprisingly, sans Ruby Dee) before he passed. This may bring a tear to the eyes of his fans. This work does an effective job of showing how any progressive Black artist interested in Civil Rights could be misconstrued and punished as a supposed Communist. Urban Works, which usually produces pop cultural modern pieces, did a great job in venturing out into this historic, serious endeavor.

There are many scenes of Black actors during the early days of TV and films. Perhaps viewers should watch this documentary alongside the many documentaries on the history of Black Hollywood."

It's Still a Scandal

S. Aslanian | 10/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This short documentary is powerful. By sharing this video with others, small but significant change is possible in this still-racist society. I highly recommend it."

A Must See Film

Zoetic Fyre | Bronx, NY, USA | 05/24/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have not yet recieved it but I just stumbled across it on television. If you are interested in this Era or you are an artist or interested in the arts this is a great piece. It's essential to know the struggles artists as a whole went through during the Blacklist and often you never hear about the African American experience during that time period. This film includes accounts from famous African American artist, several of which are still alive. This piece opened my eyes. The only downfall I could say was that the film was a little short and like with many things you don't get to see the names more than once. But otherwise I think it's great resource. Buy this film!"

Great DVD, but it has some annoying DRM!

D. C. Swayne | 06/02/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This documentary was a wonderful piece of work chock full of amazing interviews, photos, and vintage footage that makes you feel like you're right in the middle of the legendary black artist movement. I enjoyed this documentary thoroughly because not only was it a wonderful political account, it was also an incredible history of early black cinema as well. This documentary is a must for anyone with a general interest in early to mid 20th century black history.

The big problem with this dvd is it takes full use of an irritating DRM technology called UOP prohibition that will stop you from fast forwarding certain parts of the dvd. Commercials, logos, etc. all unskippable, you can't even use the stop button. The only way to stop the player is to shut it all the way off with the power button. I was really, really surprised to see this nasty drm on such a great dvd. I have other BET Starz dvds and they aren't as annoying."