Written By: Jason LockardSometime the best place to get the idea for a good movie is from a good book and no doubt we have all heard of the novel Black Like Me. Well, in 1964 it was made into a movie featuring Our Silver Screen Spotlight award winner for August James Whitmore.
James Whitemore was born in White Plains, New York, on October 1, 1921, to Florence Belle and James Allen Whitmore, Sr., a park commission official. Whitmore graduated from The Choate School (now Choate Rosemary Hall) in Wallingford, Connecticut and then studied at Yale University, where he was a member of Skull and Bones, and had his first taste of radio drama as a member of the student-run WOCD-AM, later renamed WYBC-AM.
Whitmore was commissioned a second lieutenant and served in the United States Marine Corps in the Panama Canal Zone during World War II. After the war he on Broadway and then moved to movies as MGM signed him to a contract. His first major picture for MGM was Battleground, in a role that was turned down by Spencer Tracy. He would go on to perform in such notable films as; Angels in the Outfield, The Asphalt Jungle, Them!, Oklahoma!, Guns of the Magnificent Seven, Tora! Tora! Tora!, and Give 'em Hell, Harry!, a one-man show in which he portrayed of former U.S. President Harry S Truman.
James Whitmore was an accomplished Stage, screen and TV actor. He won three of the four EGOT honors: Which is winning a Tony, a Grammy, and an Emmy. Whitmore also won a Golden Globe and was nominated for two Academy Awards.
In 1964 James Whitemore took the lead role in this month's feature film 'Black like me'. James stars as John Finley Horton a white journalist who darkens his skin and lives in the Deep South as a black man. While there he encounters a great deal of racism from both white and black people. The film also boasts a great cast of including Roscoe Lee Browne, Clifton James and Will Geer. I have to say this film still is poignant and thoughts provoking even after 55 years.
James Whitemore would appear on many TV shows during in his illustrious career including; The Twilight Zone, The Virginian, The Big Valley, Invaders and Planet of the Apes just to name a few. Later in his career Whitmore would play the role of Brooks in Shawshank Redemption and a supporting role in Jim Carrey's The Majestic. In April 2007, he made his last screen appearance in a C.S.I. episode titled "Ending Happy" as Milton, an elderly man.
James Whitmore would marry 4 times to three women twice to
Nancy Mygatt which they have three sons together. One of which is James Allen Whitmore III, known as James Whitmore Jr. Also an actor like his dad he played Captain Jim Gutterman on the television program Baa Baa Black Sheep.
Although he was not politically activist, in January 2008, Whitmore appeared in television commercials for the First Freedom First campaign, which advocates preserving "the separation of church and state" and protecting religious liberty.
In November 2008 Whitmore was diagnosed with lung cancer and on February 6, 2009 at the age of 87 James Whitemore died, but he left a legacy of great performances that will live on.
So I highly suggest check out some of James Whitmore's work in Black like me or one of his other amazing film or TV portrayals. He was quite the actor!
So until next month when the Silver Screen Spotlight shines on another great actor or actress, we remind you that if you want to see a great film, check out a classic.
Moral Rating: racial hatred and adult language
Audience: May not be suitable for young children
Genre: Drama
Length: 105 min.
Released: 1964
Our Rating: A+
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