SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES 023: LITTLE RICHARD (2000)

 

Little Richard was a contradictory character. Though he professed to have been gay all his life, he denounced homosexuality as being unnatural and contagious. This biopic, on which Little Richard received Executive Producer credit, is equally ambiguous about his sexuality. Yes, he does wear make-up and women's clothes, act effeminate and doesn't mind being called a sissy, but the only relationship he is depicted in is strictly heterosexual (with a touch of voyeurism on the side). This apparent hesitancy to deal openly with this and other aspects of his life lends a timidity to this biopic that fortunately evaporates whenever "Little Richard" takes to the stage. 

Which is exactly where we find him at the start of this biopic, belting out "Long Tall Sally" to his fans in Sydney, Australia. An unexpected "visitor" mid-song has "Little Richard" seeing the light (literally), and the next day he announces he is quitting rock and roll, throwing a $10,000 diamond encrusted ring into the harbour. Flashback to a less affluent time, when young Richard Penniman's father is trying to beat the sissy out of him. After embarrassing his family by singing the devil's music in church, teenage Richard leaves home and takes to the stage, performing with such groups as Sugarfoot Sam's Vaudeville show and the Tidy Jolly Steppers. Starting his own group, The Upsetters, Richard records a sanitised version of "Tutti Frutti" and is on his way. 

 

This biopic's best moments come when "Little Richard" is behind the microphone, even when the focus is on shocked family members or an uptight Pat Boone. Having previously portrayed David Ruffin in "The Temptations" and Jackie Wilson in "Mr Rock 'n' Roll: The Alan Freed Story," Leon confidently recreates Little Richard's stage act despite being much taller that the singer. But like Keefe Brasselle in "The Eddie Cantor Story," he continues the eye-rolling and mugging off stage, providing only a superficial portrait of a man whose qualities ran deeper than the Pancake makeup he wore. 

But before we get to the main feature, let's enjoy... 

The Pre-Show: 

          

We start with a documentary titled: The Little Richard Story (1980), so we could easily consider today's offering as a double feature! Then we head on to no less than 13 interviews in different periods of his life, which in the case of Little Richard's message we could have stayed with one. Once you get to see the interviews, you'll understand what I'm referring to. But, we have his persona we can count on, which is wild, hectic, crazy, lovable... to say the least. After you've watched a couple of them you get to like the guy and after watching all you tend to feel he could have had a more notable professional life. It's worth the watch! 

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The Main Feature: 

Title: Little Richard 

Director: Robert Townsend 

Cast: Leon / Jennifer Lewis / Carl Lumbly / Tamala Jones / Mel Jackson 

Release Date: 20th February 2000

Country: United States 

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On Your Way Out: 

Hoping you've enjoyed today's Pre-Show and The Main Feature, all what's left is for you to grab the goodies, which hopefully will allow you to enhance your knowledge and pleasure of Mr Little Richard himself. 

Cheers Shade.

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