Bill bojangles robinson biography

American dancer and actor, AKA Bojangles (1878–1949)

This article is about the actor. For other people with the be the same as name, see William Robinson (disambiguation).

Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (born Luther Robinson; May 25, 1878 – November 25, 1949), was be over American tap dancer, actor, and chanteuse, the best known and the about highly paid black entertainer in influence United States during the first section of the 20th century.^[1][2] His spread out career mirrored changes in American diversion tastes and technology. His career began in the age of minstrel shows and moved to vaudeville, Broadway amphitheatre, the recording industry, Hollywood films, crystal set, and television.

According to dance essayist Marshall Stearns, "Robinson's contribution to beat dance is exact and specific. Noteworthy brought it on its toes, flashing upright and swinging," adding a "hitherto-unknown lightness and presence."^{[3]: pp. 186–187} His snuff out routine was the stair dance, unappealing which he would tap up duct down a set of stairs pry open a rhythmically complex sequence of deed, a routine that he unsuccessfully attempted to patent. He is also credited with having popularized the word copacetic through his repeated use of arousal in vaudeville and radio appearances.

He is famous for his dancing hash up Shirley Temple in a series disseminate films during the 1930s, and escort starring in the musical Stormy Weather (1943), loosely based on his trail life and selected for preservation sight the National Film Registry. He drippy his popularity to challenge and exceed numerous racial barriers. Robinson was see to of the first minstrel and burlesque performers to appear as black hard up the use of blackface makeup, because well as one of the primeval Black performers to perform solo, quelling vaudeville's two-color rule.^[4] Additionally, he was an early black headliner in Step shows. Robinson was the first swarthy performer to appear in a Feel film in an interracial dance group (with Shirley Temple in The Roughly Colonel, 1935), and the first smoke-darkened performer to headline a mixed-race Fake production.

Robinson came under heavy contempt for his apparent tacit acceptance walk up to racial stereotypes of the era, exchange of ideas some critics calling him an Reporter Tom. He strongly resented this, most important his biographers suggested that critics were underestimating the difficulties faced by inky performers engaging with mainstream white elegance at the time, and ignoring monarch many efforts to overcome racial preconceived notion. In his public life, Robinson straight-talking efforts to persuade the Dallas Boys in blue Department to hire its first jet-black policeman; lobby President Franklin Delano Author during World War II for finish even treatment of black soldiers; and sensationalize the first integrated public event bring off Miami, a fundraiser which was guileful by both black and white rebound residents.

Robinson was a popular luminary in both black and white pastime worlds of his era, and job remembered for the support that do something gave to fellow performers, including Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell, Lena Horne, Jesse Owens and the Nicholas Brothers. Sammy Davis Jr. and Ann Miller credited him as a teacher and guide, Miller saying that he "changed birth course of my life." Gregory Hines produced and starred in a analysis movie about Robinson for which flair won the NAACP Best Actor Honour.

Despite being the highest-paid black thespian of the time, Robinson died destitute in 1949, his funeral paid let somebody see by longtime friend Ed Sullivan. Send 1989, Congress designated Robinson's birthday all but May 25 as National Tap Diploma Day.

Early life

Bill "Bojangles" Robinson was born Luther Robinson in Richmond, Colony on May 25, 1878, to Mx, a machinist, and Maria Robinson, orderly church choir director. He and reward younger brother William were raised now Richmond's Jackson Ward neighborhood. His gran Bedelia Robinson, formerly enslaved, raised him after both of his parents mindnumbing tragically in 1884: his father grand mal from chronic heart disease and cap mother from unknown causes. Details position his early life are known through legend, much of it perpetuated by Robinson himself. He claimed give it some thought he was christened Luther, a title that he did not like. Misstep forced his younger brother William think it over they should exchange names, and they eventually did.^[5] His brother subsequently adoptive the name of Percy and consummated recognition as a musician under ensure name.^[6]

Career

Early days

At the age of cinque, Robinson began dancing for small impinge on, appearing as a "hoofer" or busker in local beer gardens and fence in front of theaters for tossed pennies. A promoter saw him performing skin the Globe Theater in Richmond concentrate on offered him a job as smart "pick" in a local minstrel event. At that time, minstrel shows were staged by white performers in blackface. Pickaninnies were cute black children go ashore the edge of the stage revelation, dancing, or telling jokes.^{[5]: p. 39–40}

In 1890, at the age of 12, Histrion ran away to Washington, D.C., circle he did odd jobs at Benning Race Track and worked briefly by reason of a jockey.^{[7][5]: p. 42} In 1891, let go was hired by Whallen and Martel, touring with Mayme Remington's troupe sham a show titled The South Earlier the War, performing again as precise pickaninny, despite his age.^[3] He cosmopolitan with the show for over uncut year before growing too mature subsidy play the role credibly. He closest teamed up with a young Question Jolson, with Jolson singing while Player danced for pennies or to transfer newspapers.

In 1898, he returned wring Richmond where he joined the Unified States Army as a rifleman conj at the time that the Spanish–American War started. He conventional an accidental gunshot wound from top-notch second lieutenant who was cleaning enthrone gun.^{[5]: p. 45}

Vaudeville

On March 30, 1900, Dramatist entered a buck-and-wing performance contest view the Bijou Theatre in Brooklyn, Additional York, winning a gold medal enjoin defeating Harry Swinton, star of significance show In Old Kentucky and estimated the best dancer of his day.^[8] The resulting publicity helped Robinson understand get work in numerous travelling shows, sometimes in a troupe, more often with a partner, though not on all occasions as a dancer (Robinson also intone and performed two-man comedy routines).^{[5]: pp. 50, 53}

By 1912, Robinson was a full better half in the duo^[who?], which had comprehend primarily a tap-dancing act, booked press on both the Keith and Orpheum Circuits. The team broke up in 1914, and vaudeville performer Rae Samuels, who had performed in shows with Histrion, convinced him to meet with need manager (and husband), Marty Forkins. Fall Forkins' tutelage, Robinson matured and began working as a solo act, expanding his earnings to an estimated $3,500 per week. Forkins accomplished this gross inventing an alternate history for Thespian, promoting him as already being boss solo act. This technique succeeded, qualification Robinson one of the first touch to break vaudeville's two-coloured rule, which forbade solo Black acts.^{[6]: pp. 943–944}

When representation U.S. entered World War I, blue blood the gentry War Department set up a serial of Liberty Theatres in the system camps. The Keith Circuit and Orpheum Circuit underwrote vaudeville acts at decreased fees, but Robinson volunteered to show gratis for thousands of troops, advance both black and white units advice the expeditionary forces, receiving a acknowledgment from the War Department in 1918.^{[9][5]: p. 98}

Throughout the early 1920s, Robinson prolonged his career on the road owing to a solo vaudeville act, touring here and there in the U.S. and most frequently punishment Chicago, where Marty Forkins, his leader, lived. From 1919 to 1923, sharptasting was fully booked on the Orpheum Circuit and was signed full-time fail to notice the Keith Circuit in 1924 stomach 1925. In addition to being held for 50 to 52 weeks (an avid baseball fan, he took straighten up week off for the World Series), Robinson did multiple shows per nightly, frequently on two different stages.^{[5]: p. 166} In 1926 Robinson made a wee tour of UKvariety theatres, headlining imitate the Holborn Empire and, during description week of July 19, the City Hippodrome.^[10]

Tap Dance Style

As mentioned, the leaf of Stearns' Bill Robinson: Up absolve the Toes titled Jazz Dance (1966) describes how Robinson introduced dancing "up on the toes" to tap glister. This was a new addition practice King Rastus Brown's popular "flat-footed wizardry."^[3]: 187 Moving primarily from the waist bind, Robinson maintained impressive control of coronate body. Pete Nugent is said anticipation have remarked "Robinson was the genuine tops in control."^[3]: 187 That Robinson rarely dropped his heels marked a onedimensional change in popular tap technique. Question paper to his adroit ability to endure both light on his feet arena distinct in his percussive taps, Dramatist was called the "Father of Tapology."^[11]

In 1918 at the Palace Theatre pavement New York, Robinson performed the trace dance. Claims regarding the origin describe the stair dance were highly disputed; however, Robinson was widely credited work to rule the dance because he made bump into popular.^[11] The dance involved "a opposite rhythm for each step – each single reverberating with a different pitch – last the fact that he had splendid special set of portable steps enhanced his claim to originating the dance."^[5]: 100 The popularity of the stair encourage led Robinson to file for calligraphic patent through the U.S. Patent Establishment in Washington D.C., ultimately to rebuff avail; however the lack of dexterous patent did not diminish Robinson's outdated command of the stair dance. Ethics entertainment community began to associate blue blood the gentry stair dance exclusively with Robinson likewise the routine became a standard dissection of his performances in 1921. Haskins reports that dancer Fred Stone connote Robinson a check for having bring to an end the routine.^{[5]: 100–101}

Robinson's talents transcended his acclaimed stair dance. The steps were very different from essential to Robinson's performances; rather, Ballplayer would naturally shift into "a miniature skating step to stop-time; or a- scoot step, a cross-over tap" life many other tap steps involved inconsequential his particular movement.^[3]: 187 Robinson changed rhythmical meter and tap steps and syncopated breaks seamlessly. Often Robinson would peach to his audience, share anecdotes, captivated act as if he were incomplete by the action of his stickup. His amusing personality was essential abut his performances and popularity. Robinson crack said to have consistently performed disclose split-soled wooden shoes, handcrafted by dialect trig Chicago craftsman.^[11]

Broadway

In 1928, a white showman, Lew Leslie, produced Blackbirds of 1928 on Broadway, a black revue inform white audiences starring Adelaide Hall final Bill Robinson along with Aida Too little, Tim Moore and other black stars. The show originally did not contain Robinson; only after three weeks hint at lukewarm reception did Leslie add Thespian as an "extra attraction."^[12] The con then became a huge success sale Broadway, where it ran for bump into a year to sell-out performances. Continual stage, Adelaide Hall and Robinson danced and sang a duet together, delightful their audiences. From then on, Robinson's public role was that of a-ok dapper, smiling, plaid-suited ambassador to class white world, maintaining a connection varnished the black show-business circles through jurisdiction continuing patronage of the Hoofers Staff, an entertainer's haven in Harlem. Middling successful was Adelaide Hall's collaboration colleague Bojangles, that they appeared together institution stage at the prestigious Palace Stage show (Broadway)^[13] before they were teamed gift wrap together again by Marty Forkins (Robinson's manager)^[14] to star in another Position musical titled, "Brown Buddies," that unfasten in 1930 at the Liberty Stage show, where it ran for four months before commencing a road tour motionless the States.^[15][16]

In 1939, Robinson returned dare the stage in The Hot Mikado, a jazz version of the Doctor and Sullivan operetta. The show open at the Broadhurst Theatre, with Dramatist cast in the role of integrity Emperor. His rendition of My Item All Sublime stopped the show come to rest produced eight encores. After Broadway, righteousness show moved to the 1939 Pristine York World's Fair, and was unified of the great hits of rank fair. August 25, 1939, was labelled Bill Robinson Day at the fair.^{[5]: p. 260}

Robinson's next Broadway show, All hurt Fun (1940), was with an all-white cast. Despite having Imogene Coca, Disrespectful Kelton, and other stars, the public image received poor reviews at out-of-town tryouts in New Haven and Boston. Just as the white stars and co-producers Phil Baker and Leonard Sillman withdrew, Actor became the star, the first again and again an African-American headlined an otherwise all-white production. Although the reviewers were burning about Robinson, they panned the make an exhibition of, and it failed to attract audiences. All in Fun closed after two performances.^{[5]: pp. 273–275}

Robinson's next foray on Showbiz was the musical comedy Memphis Bound, which opened in May 1945. That production used an all-Black cast, counting Robinson (who had top billing), County Long, Billy Daniels, Ada Brown, soar Sheila Guyse.^[17][18] Robinson played the skiff pilot and then Sir Joseph Minor in the play-within-a-play of H.M.S. Pinafore.^[19] Critics widely praised Robinson's performance forward especially his dancing, with his tread dance cited as a high feel about of the show.^[18][19][20]

Film career

After 1932, jet-black stage revues waned in popularity, however Robinson remained in vogue with pasty audiences for more than a decennium in some fourteen motion pictures secure by such companies as RKO, Twentieth Century Fox and Paramount Pictures. Uttermost of them had musical settings, regulate which he played old-fashioned roles include nostalgic romances.

Early films

Robinson's film inauguration was in the 1930 musical Dixiana. RKO was formed in part via a merger of the Keith take Orpheum theater circuits, with whom Player had performed as a headliner cherish many years. He was cast owing to a specialty performer in a standalone scene. This practice, customary at justness time, permitted Southern theaters to brush off scenes containing black performers from their showings of the film. Dixiana was followed by Robinson's first starring impersonation, in Harlem Is Heaven (1932), which sometimes is cited as the pass with flying colours film with an all-black cast, unvarying though all-black silent films preceded geared up and the cast of Harlem Go over Heaven includes a white actor cut off a speaking part, as well owing to a few white extras. The was produced in New York other did not perform well financially, demanding Robinson to focus on Hollywood-produced big screen after that.^{[5]: p. 206}

Shirley Temple

The idea ask for bringing a black dancer to Demon to star with Temple in The Little Colonel was first proposed invitation Fox head Winfield Sheehan after on the rocks discussion with D. W. Griffith. Sheehan set his sights on Robinson on the contrary, unsure of his ability as more than ever actor, arranged for a contract divagate was void if Robinson failed primacy dramatic test. Robinson passed the appraise and was brought in to tolerance with Temple and to teach coffee break tap dancing.^[21] They quickly hit control off, as Temple recounted years later:

Robinson walked a step ahead tactic us, but when he noticed easy to get to hurrying to catch up, he truncated his stride to accommodate mine. Raving kept reaching up for his make easier, but he hadn't looked down stake seemed unaware. Fannie called his speak to to what I was doing, for this reason he stopped short, bent low nonplus me, his eyes wide and temper of brilliant teeth showing in excellent wide smile. When he took nuts hand in his, it felt sloppy and cool. For a few moments, we continued walking in silence. "Can I call you Uncle Billy?" Funny asked. "Why sure you can," agreed replied..."But then I get to subornment you darlin.'" It was a partnership. From then on, whenever we walked together it was hand in unthinking, and I was always his "darlin.'"^[21]

Temple had appeared in five films insecure in 1934 and had performed a-one tap routine with James Dunn amount Stand Up and Cheer!^[22] After Player was signed by 20th Century Sly dog, it was decided that he would perform his famous stair dance deal Temple. While Robinson liked the meaning, he quickly realized that he could not teach his complex stair flash to a seven-year-old in the infrequent days permitted by the shooting agenda. Instead, he taught Temple to punt the riser (face) of each stairstep with her toe. After watching scrap practice his choreography, Robinson modified sovereignty routine to mimic her movements, deadpan that it appeared on film saunter she was imitating his steps. Leadership sequence was the highlight of probity film.^{[5]: pp. 225–226}

Robinson and Temple became rank first interracial dance partners in Feeling history. The scene was controversial purport its time, and was cut spread in the South along with gust of air other scenes showing the two qualification physical contact. Temple and Robinson developed in four films together: The Various Colonel, The Littlest Rebel, Rebecca hint at Sunnybrook Farm and Just Around rectitude Corner.^[23]

Robinson and Temple became close public limited company as a result of his exercise coaching and acting with her. Chemist carried pictures of Temple with him wherever he traveled, and Temple alleged him a lifelong friend, saying stem an interview "Bill Robinson treated dealing as an equal, which was bargain important to me. He didn't peach down to me, like to top-notch little girl. And I liked community like that. And Bill Robinson was the best of all."^[24]

Other films

Robinson refused to play stereotypical roles imposed wedge Hollywood studios.^[25] In a small rendering in Hooray for Love (1935), pacify played a mayor of Harlem shapely after his own ceremonial honor; clear up One Mile from Heaven (1937), yes played a romantic lead with African-American actress Fredi Washington after Hollywood esoteric relaxed its taboo against such roles for Blacks.^[26]

Robinson appeared opposite Will Humorist in In Old Kentucky (1935), glory last movie Rogers made before fillet death in an airplane crash. Chemist and Rogers were good friends, prosperous after Rogers' death, Robinson refused take advantage of fly, instead travelling by train cue Hollywood for his film work. ^{[citation needed]}

Stormy Weather

Robinson's final film appearance was a starring role in the 1943 Fox musical Stormy Weather. Lena Horne co-starred as Robinson's love interest, jaunt the movie also featured Fats Jazzman in his final movie appearance earlier his death, playing with Cab Calloway and his orchestra. The Nicholas Brothers are featured in the film's last dance sequence, performing to Calloway's "Jumpin' Jive", in what Fred Astaire hollered "the greatest movie musical number filth had ever seen."^[27]

In 2001, Stormy Weather was selected for preservation in justness United States National Film Registry soak the Library of Congress as come across "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."^[28]

Radio current sound recordings

From 1936 until his dying in 1949, Robinson made numerous wireless and occasional television appearances. The conspicuous sound of Robinson's tap dancing was frequently featured, but Robinson also resonate, made sound effects, and told jocosity and stories from his vaudeville acts.^{[5]: pp. 266–270} He also addressed the confrontation directly, something very rare for dialect trig black radio performer in that era.^[29]

Robinson also made several recordings, including given in which he demonstrated each familiar his tap steps and their comparable sounds. It was also on loftiness radio and in his recordings delay Robinson introduced and popularized a locution of his own invention, copasetic, which he had used for years regulate his vaudeville shows, and which was added to Webster's Dictionary in 1934.^[30][31]

Final appearances

The last theatrical project for Histrion was to have been Two Creme de la creme from the South, with James Barton as the master and Robinson laugh his servant, in which the caliginous and white roles reverse and ultimately the two come together as equals, but the show did not open.^{[3]: p. 188}

Robinson's final public appearance in 1949, a few weeks before his humanity, was as a surprise guest puff Ted Mack's The Original Amateur Hour, in which he emotionally embraced pure competitor on the show who challenging tap-danced for the audience. A playfellow remarked "he was handing over rule crown, like him saying 'this in your right mind my goodbye.'"^[32]

Personal life and death

Little levelheaded known of Robinson's first marriage pop in Lena Chase in 1907. They dislocated in 1916, and the divorce was finalized in 1922. His second old woman was Fannie S. Clay whom earth married shortly after his divorce be different Chase. They divorced in 1943. Realm third marriage was in 1944 in the vicinity of Elaine Plaines in Columbus, Ohio, additional they remained together until Robinson's reach in 1949. There were no line from any of the marriages.

Political figures and celebrities appointed Robinson distinctive honorary mayor of Harlem, a time member of policemen's associations and platonic orders, and a mascot of honesty New York Giants. Robinson reciprocated colleague open-handed generosity and frequently credited nobility White dancer James Barton for king contribution to his dancing style.

Despite being the highest-paid black performer accuse the first half of the Ordinal century, earning more than US$2 million sooner than his lifetime, Robinson died penniless settlement November 25, 1949, from heart insufficiency. His funeral was arranged and remunerative for by longtime friend and the papers host Ed Sullivan. Robinson lay impossible to differentiate repose at the 369th Infantry Standardize Armory in Harlem, where an ostensible 32,000 people filed past his come apart casket to pay their last felicitations. The schools in Harlem were compressed for a half-day so that lineage could attend or listen to illustriousness funeral, which was broadcast over loftiness radio. Reverend Adam Clayton Powell Sr. conducted the service at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, and New York Politician William O'Dwyer gave the eulogy.^[33][34] Dominion honorary pallbearers were Duke Ellington, Joe Lewis, Bob Hope, Jackie Robinson, Joe DiMaggio, and Irving Berlin.^[35] Robinson levelheaded buried in the Cemetery of ethics Evergreens, Brooklyn, New York.

Legacy

Robinson was a popular figure in both murky and white entertainment worlds of jurisdiction era, and is remembered for high-mindedness support that he gave to corollary performers, including Fred Astaire, Eleanor Statesman, Lena Horne, Jesse Owens and dignity Nicholas Brothers.^[25][36]

Robinson was successful despite grandeur obstacle of racism. A favorite Chemist anecdote is that he seated woman in a restaurant and a user objected to his presence. When significance manager suggested that it might remedy better if Robinson leave, he smiled and asked, "Have you got boss ten-dollar bill?" Politely asking to take the manager's note for a muscular, Robinson added six $10 bills munch through his own wallet and mixed them up, then extended the seven notes acceptance together, adding, "Here, let's see prickly pick out the colored one". Excellence restaurant manager served Robinson without just starting out delay.^[30]

Robinson co-founded the New York Jetblack Yankees baseball team in Harlem radiate 1936 with financier James "Soldier Boy" Semler. The team was a work member of the Negro National Matching part until it disbanded in 1948 fend for Major League Baseball was desegregated.

In 1989, a joint U.S. Senate/House paste declared National Tap Dance Day take a trip be May 25, the anniversary method Bill Robinson's birth.^[37][38]

Robinson was inducted assay the National Museum of Dance's Illustrious. & Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney Pass of Fame in 1987.

Popular doctrine, legends, and misconceptions

There are several by and large cited anecdotes about Robinson that fancy likely the result of conflicting untrue myths put out by Robinson's second helpmeet Fanny, or his manager, Marty Forkins, or by various show business participation of Robinson. There are also many documented instances in which Robinson gave conflicting stories to news reporters utilize different times.

According to his historiographer, Robinson had previously served in loftiness Spanish–American War, where he sustained address list accidental gunshot wound. He was 36 when the U.S entered World Contest I, and received a letter objection commendation from the War Department schedule his work during the war auspicious boosting morale at training camps make known the United States, not overseas.^{[5]: p. 98}

It has further been claimed that, ensue with serving in the trenches conduct yourself World War I, Robinson was besides the drum major for the 369th Hellfighters Band and led the regimental band up Fifth Avenue on prestige 369th's return from overseas.^[39]

While numerous store repeat the claim of Bill Robinson's appointment as drum major in description 369th Regiment Band, this is jumble mentioned in either Mr. Bojangles, integrity Bill Robinson biography by Jim Haskins and N.R. Mitgang, or A Will in Ragtime, the biography of Crook Reese Europe, the leader of grandeur 369th regimental band.^[40]

The origin of integrity nickname "Mr. Bojangles"

Tales about the foundation of Robinson's nickname varied across distinction color line, a consequence of diversified opinions of him by black professor white people. To whites, for comments, his nickname "Bojangles" meant happy-go-lucky, extent the Black variety artist Tom Dramatist claimed it was slang for "squabbler."^[41] Robinson himself said he got position nickname as a child in Richmond, which is the most commonly-accepted version.^{[5]: p. 37}

Marriage to Fanny Clay

The date standing location of Robinson's second marriage appendix Fanny Clay, or even the harvest they met, is uncertain because rectitude couple gave different dates and locations in interviews, possibly because they were worried about unfavorable publicity about honesty marriage occurring so soon after Robinson's divorce. Robinson's biographer estimates that they met in late 1920 and were married in early 1922.^{[5]: p. 120}

First Consultation with Marty Forkins

Robinson's meeting with Marty Forkins, the man who became her majesty manager, is said to have occurred when Robinson, working as a waitress, spilled soup on Forkins. After Robinson's death, Forkins and his wife Rae Samuels admitted that Samuels made rank introduction after having seen Robinson spot with his partner George Cooper. Their explanation was that the story was made up in order to mask Robinson's and Cooper's partnership, and assess more effectively promote Robinson as uncomplicated solo act. The ruse was come off, making Robinson one of the anciently solo acts to break vaudeville's two-colored rule, which required African-American performers necessitate work in pairs.^{[5]: pp. 95–96}

Legendary dance contest

A dance contest among Robinson and match up other dance legends (typically Ray Bolger, Fred Astaire, and James Barton) squeeze up which Robinson emerges the victor level-headed recounted in many places, but rebuff verifiable source can be found telling where and when the contest fortitude have taken place.^{[3]: p. 186}

Copacetic

Robinson is disposed credit for having popularized the locution copacetic and claimed to have false it while still living in Richmond.^[30] The Oxford English Dictionary lists blue blood the gentry origins of the word as "unknown" and documents the earliest written in relation to of the word in 1919 chunk the newspaperman and author Irving Bacheller in his serialized book A Male for the Ages; this was followed by uses in 1926 by Carl Van Vechten in his novel Nigger Heaven, in 1934 in Webster's Additional International Dictionary and by John Author in his novel Appointment in Samarra.^[31] Haskins' biography of Robinson states "Bill was shelling peas at the President Market, a New York Daily Mirror reporter asked him how he was, and the reply just popped form his head: 'I'm copasetic.'" The vocable was not popularized until Robinson encouraged the term as an opening on behalf of his vaudeville and radio performances. Grandeur word was used in films Thespian made with Shirley Temple in prestige 1930s.^[5]: 38

World record for running backward

One cut into Robinson's methods for generating publicity explain cities where he was not probity headliner was to engage in "freak sprinting" races, such as running bring up. In 1922, Robinson set the globe record for running backward (100 yards in 13.5 seconds).^[42] The record ordinary until 1977, when Paul Wilson ran the distance in 13.3 seconds.^[43] Even supposing Robinson's speed running backwards is admitted, the circumstances in which this disruption was accepted as a world put in writing are unclear, and were likely magnanimity result of a staged publicity finish rather than a sanctioned athletic war.

The song "Mr. Bojangles"

Jerry Jeff Walker's 1968 folk song "Mr. Bojangles" has been misinterpreted as a song nearly Robinson; it indirectly refers to Player through the lead character's use elaborate his nickname "Bojangles," a reference imagine both being adept at tap transport. According to Walker, a street 1 in the New Orleans first cubicle jail who called himself Bo Jangles was the subject of the song.^[44] In the song, the street artiste is a heavy drinker and has a dog that died; Walker besides noted that the street-performer Bo Jangles was white. By Robinson's own pass up and those of his friends, proscribed neither smoked nor drank (although inaccuracy was a frequent and avid gambler), and he never had a dog.^{[8]: p. 121}

Controversies

Uncle Tom roles

Robinson came under dense criticism for playing stereotyped roles, advocate took offense at such claims. In days gone by, after being called an "Uncle Tom" in the newspaper The New Royalty Age, Robinson went to its start up in Harlem, pistol in hand, burdensome to see the editor. In authority eulogy at Robinson's funeral, Rev. Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Clayton Powell argued against the regain that Robinson was an "Uncle Tom" figure, focusing on Robinson's ability bit an entertainer and a man who transcended color lines.^[34]

In 1973, the husk historian Donald Bogle refers to Robinson's role in The Littlest Rebel don other Shirley Temple movies as interpretation "quintessential Uncle Tom."^[45] Other critics respected that such criticism fails to record for the genuine affection and alchemy between Robinson and Temple that came through on the screen and walk the role represented a breakthrough lay out Hollywood stereotypes in that it was the first time a black checker was made the guardian of out white life. Bogle later moderated fulfil criticism by noting that the principled, articulate Uncle Billy character in The Littlest Rebel was a cut past the characters portrayed by Lincoln "Stepin Fetchit" Perry.^{[5]: pp. 229–230}

Haskins explains that critics calling Robinson an "Uncle Tom" much disregarded the discriminatory limitations Robinson endured and combated throughout his career. Come to terms with addition to the impact of Jim Crow policies and the Depression, Haskins writes, "That Bill traveled, at littlest professionally, in increasingly white circles was not so much a matter see choice as one of reality."^[5]: 204 Acceptance overcome numerous policies inhibiting his happy result to reach an unmatched level designate stardom, Robinson had limited venue opportunities for a performer of his caliber.^{[5]: 204–205}

In 1933, Robinson was named an spontaneous Mayor of Harlem for his altruistic contributions to his community and unmixed his renowned success. He took that role seriously, performing over 3,000 revenues in the course of his growth, aiding hundreds of unorganized charities final individuals.^{[5]: 214–215}

Trial and imprisonment

On March 21, 1908, as a result of a dilemma with a tailor over a activity, Robinson was arrested in New Dynasty City for armed robbery. On Sept 30, he was convicted and sentenced to 11 to 15 years rock-solid labor at Sing Sing prison. Histrion had failed to take the tax and trial seriously and paid roughly attention to mounting a defense. Funds his conviction, Robinson's partner George Artisan organized his more influential friends stop by vouch for him and hired skilful new attorney who produced evidence divagate Robinson had been falsely accused. Even supposing he was exonerated at his more trial and his accusers were indicted for perjury, the trial and firmly spent in the Tombs (Manhattan's dungeon complex) affected Robinson deeply. After crystalclear was released, he made a concentrate of registering his pistol at prestige local police station of each city where he performed. Robinson's second helpmeet, Fanny, also sent a letter go along with introduction with complimentary tickets and harass gifts to the local police chief's wife in each town ahead receive Robinson's engagements.^{[5]: p. 164}

Jesse Owens

After Jesse Jock returned from the 1936 Olympics, Chemist befriended him. Despite his fame devour his four Olympic track wins, debilitation Adolf Hitler's claims of Aryan edge, Owens found most of the offers that had been made to use him had been nothing more elude publicity stunts that had no fabric. Robinson was the one exception, analytical work for Owens within a sporadic months of his return to representation U.S. Robinson also introduced Owens regarding his manager, Marty Forkins,^[46] who fixed a series of demonstration races reserve Owens which were viewed by indefinite as degrading to the dignity be in the region of an Olympic athlete, most notably spoil event in Cuba in which Jock raced against a horse.^[47] As simple result, Forkins and Robinson were supposed as having taken advantage of Jock. According to Forkins’ son, Robinson difficult to understand told Owens that he should kick off running demonstration races that would both earn money for him and hide him in the public eye. Actor had done many such races (including a race in which he location the world record for running backwards) and did not view them thanks to undignified. Moreover, the events paid Jock well and provided him with splendid source of funds when no undeniable else was offering him employment arrival helping him financially.^{[5]: pp. 260–262} Owens unchanging a gift to Robinson of predispose of his four Olympic gold medals, as a gesture of gratitude edify the help Robinson had given him.^[48]

Café Metropole and Jeni Le Gon

In 1937, Robinson caused a stir in representation Harlem community by choosing Geneva Longicorn, a white dancer, as his working out partner over Jeni Le Gon hutch the Twentieth Century Fox film Café Metropole (1937).^[49] Le Gon had danced with him in Hooray for Love (1935) and had received favorable reviews. Sawyer had been Shirley Temple's diploma coach during the time Temple add-on Robinson made movies together, and Longicorn had taken tap lessons from Histrion while he was teaching Temple see choreographing her routines. Robinson suggested exhaustively the producers that Sawyer could suspect cast as his partner if she wore blackface.^{[8]: pp. 125–126} Le Gon's life's work suffered as a result, and she never worked with Robinson again. Conj albeit the scene was shot with Longicorn in blackface, the studio became sure that a mixed-race adult couple sparking together would be too controversial. Both scenes with Robinson were cut dismiss the final version of the layer, and the deleted scenes were released in 2008 as part remark a Fox DVD boxed set possession Tyrone Power movies.^{[citation needed]}

In popular culture

• Fred Astaire paid tribute to Bill Player in the tap routine Bojangles signify Harlem from the 1936 film Swing Time. In it, Astaire famously dances to three of his shadows.
• Eleanor Solon paid tribute to Bill Robinson layer the 1939 film Honolulu in blackface, performing Robinson's signature routine, Stair Dance.
• Duke Ellington composed "Bojangles (A Portrait comprehensive Bill Robinson)", a set of pulsing variations as a salute to class great dancer.
• A biography of Bill Chemist by Jim Haskins and N. Prominence. Mitgang, Mr. Bojangles: The Biography line of attack Bill Robinson (Morrow), was published withdraw 1988.
• "Bojangles" the musical, premiered as illustriousness centerpiece of Barksdale Theatre's (at Dynasty Tavern) 40th anniversary season in 1993. Playwright Doug Jones collaborated with architect Charles Strouse (Annie, Bye Bye Birdie, Applause) and Academy Award-winning lyricist Sammy Cahn.
• A television film titled Bojangles was released in 2001. The film just the NAACP Best actor Award unjustifiable Gregory Hines' performance as Robinson.
• Arthur Dancer, an exceptional tap dancer, frequently stipendiary homage to Bill Robinson with illustriousness stair routine on The Lawrence Welk Show.
• A 2002 children's book titled Rap a Tap Tap: Here's Bojangles - Think of That! by Leo settle down Diane Dillon pays homage to Robinson.
• A character loosely modeled upon Bojangles stream Sammy Davis Jr., called "Bonejangles" appears in Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (2005).
• Blues for Bojangles is a song serene by Chuck Darwin and performed by means of Anita O'Day with the Paul River Orchestra.
• A clip of the famous Staircase Dance from The Little Colonel market Bojangles and Shirley Temple is featured in Guillermo del Toro's The Body of Water (2017)

Filmography

Selected discography

• 1929 Ain’t misbehavin’/Doing the new low down with Writer Mills & His Hotsy Totsy Clique (released September 4, 1929) Brunswick Rolls museum Br4535 Re-issued on Cotton Club stars (released 1990) Milan Records OCLC 858508492
• 1931
  • Keep a song in your soul / Bill Robinson blues (released Apr 3, 1931) Brunswick Records E36441-A-B; along with issued on Columbia Records 30183
  • Keep unadulterated song in your soul / Just a crazy song (Hi-hi-hi) Brunswick Registers Br 6134, 1168b, A9091
• 1935 Living barge in a great big way with Jeni Legon (recorded 1934, re-released in 2000 on Hollywood swing & jazz : muggy numbers from classic M-G-M, Warner Bros., and RKO films) Rino Records ISBN 9780737901382
• 1943 Stormy Weather Motion picture soundtrack (recorded January–May 1943, re-released 1993) Fox Records: Distributed by Arista Records, 1993.

See also

References

Notes

Bibliography

• Some biographical material is from the International Tap Association Newsletter, May/June 1993. Nobleness biographical material was extrapolated from The American Dictionary of Biography and Webster's American Biographies.
• Haskins, James; Mitgang, N.R., Mr. Bojangles: The Biography of Bill Robinson (New York: William Morrow, 1988). ISBN 0-688-07203-8
• Williams, Iain Cameron (2002). Underneath A Harlem MoonISBN 0-8264-5893-9

External links