Jester Hairston

As an actor, he was in both the radio and television versions of Amos 'n' Andy, where he was a foil for the title characters. He was held up both as an example of a black actor making good, and as an example of a black man helping to perpetuate demeaning stereotypes. "We had a hard time then fighting for dignity. We had no power. We had to take it, and because we took it the young people today have opportunities," Hairston said. And he took the jobs, working in movies from Tarzan's Hidden Jungle to Being John Malkovich and on TV, most prominently in recent times as Deacon Rolly Forbes on Amen. He was also well known as a singer and composer, and was the musical arranger for composer Dmitri Tiomkin starting with Lost Horizon (1937). He continued to work with Tiomkin for over 20 years. Hairston died January 18 in Los Angeles at 98. From This is True for 23 January 2000 Suggestions for further reading: The Adventures of Amos 'n' Andy: A Social History of an American Phenomenon by Melvin Patrick Ely Amazon Price: $20.05 Customer Review: This book provides a great, well written, social study of a forgotten slice of american history. Although the book over-emphasizes certian things, and leaves out or under-emphasizes other things, this book was an enjoyable summer read.   Amos N'andy: Old Time Radio Shows (Orginal Radio Broadcasts Collector Series) Amazon Price: Customer Review: The production values are excellent: the shows sound like they were recorded yesterday. And the bonus DVD with an episode each of Burns and Allen, The Great Gildersleeve, and my favorite, Our Miss Brooks were a nice treat. But the Amos 'n' Andy shows...   Comedy from the Golden Age of Radio by Radio Spirits Amazon Price: Customer Review: This sampling of classic radio shows is pretty funny. However, to get to the funny parts you will have to fast forward through REALLY LONG advertisements for tobacco, cigars and cigarettes.   Holy Mackerel! The Amos and Andy Story by Bart Andrews, Ahrgus Juilliard Amazon Price:   Listening In: Radio and the American Imagination, from Amos 'n' Andy and Edwa... by Susan J. Douglas Amazon Price: Customer Review: I'm a long-time, Philadelphia record collector, collecting 1950s rhythm 'n' blues music - vocal groups and single artists. While knowledgeable about radio disc jockeys, my knowledge is weak regarding radio history. Traipsing through Amazon.com, I stu...   Newsfeed display by CaRP

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