While Thousands Cheer Explained

Director:Leo C. Popkin
Producer:Sara Francis
Harry M. Popkin
Clifford Sanforth
Cinematography:Marcel Le Picard
Herman Schopp
Editing:Martin G. Cohn
Distributor:Million Dollar Productions
Country:USA
Language:English

While Thousands Cheer is a lost American film released in 1940.[1] Leo C. Popkin directed.[2] It was the only football-themed film with an African American lead character for decades.[3] It starred Kenny Washington, a football star from UCLA who went on to become the first African American in the NFL after initially being refused an opportunity to play in the league due to segregation.[4]

Plot

The film is a football melodrama. The plot was said to be based on true stories about gambling and corruption in football at a specific Black college.[5] The story follows a star football player and his brother as they get involved with, and later break up, a gambling ring's attempting to "fix" a college game.[6]

Cast

The film featured a mostly African American cast, including UCLA football star Kenny Washington, who was denied entry to the segregated NFL for several years.[7] [8] The film was Washington's first movie role.[9] Jeni Le Gon played the leading actress.

Production

The film was produced by Clifford Sanforth and Million Dollar Pictures. The premiere date was moved back due to requests from theatre managers that the film be released around the same time as other football films, to "get the minds of the public on football" and increase attendance at the theatres.[10]

Reception

The film was praised in a review by the Hollywood Daily Variety.[11] The Cleveland Call and Post called it "one of the most exciting, interest holding pictures ever filmed to entertain the young and old, male and female, of all races."[12]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Kenny Washington in All-Race Pix at Walker Sun . 27 October 2020 . Indianapolis Recorder . 2 November 1940 . 12 . newspapers.library.in.gov.
  2. Web site: While Thousands Cheer (1940) - Full Credits - TCM.com. Turner Classic Movies.
  3. Book: Zhang. James J.. Globalized Sport Management in Diverse Cultural Contexts. Pitts. Brenda G.. April 5, 2019. Routledge. 9780429559372. Google Books.
  4. Web site: The NFL Had a Ban on Black Players. Why Don't We Remember the Man Who Broke It?. Joshua. Neuman. December 20, 2021. Slate Magazine.
  5. News: Jones. Lucius "Melancholy". 23 September 1940. Kenny Washington, UCLA All-American, Proves Great Actor In 'Million Dollar' Film Hit, "While Thousands Cheer". 5. Atlanta Daily World. 27 October 2020. .
  6. Book: Sampson. Henry T.. Blacks in Black and White: A Source Book on Black Films. 1995. Scarecrow press. 0-8108-2605-4. 435–436.
  7. Web site: Lobby card from the Hollywood film While Thousands Cheer | Picture This. picturethis.museumca.org.
  8. News: Bowen. Fred. 12 February 2018. Kenny Washington paved way for black players in pro football. Washington Post. 27 October 2020.
  9. News: 26 October 1940. Kenny Washington, Former UCLA Football Star, Makes Harlem Film Debut, Thursday. 4. The New York Age. 27 October 2020.
  10. News: Levette. Harry. 15 June 1940. Its Football Kenny Again. 20. The Chicago Defender (National Edition). 27 October 2020. .
  11. News: Hollywood Variety Praises "While Thousands Cheer" . 27 October 2020 . New Journal and Guide . November 30, 1940 . 19. .
  12. News: Kenny Washington in Dynamic Action Film . 27 October 2020 . Cleveland Call and Post . 3 January 1948 . 7B. .