Comments on: Knowing the Real Petey Greene http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/08/03/knowing-the-real-petey-greene/ D.C. News, Politics, Media, Arts, and More Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:04:08 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 hourly 1 By: John H. Britton http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/08/03/knowing-the-real-petey-greene/comment-page-1/#comment-23417 John H. Britton Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:21:56 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/08/03/knowing-the-real-petey-greene/#comment-23417 Bruce Johnson's clip reminds me that once upon a time, long, long ago, there was such a things as really good journalism practiced on what is now a "vast wasteland". But I digress. Yes, Mr. Cheadle deserves "props" for his on-screen portrayal of Petey. Mr. Smiley, on this occasion, deserves a "thumbs down" for going on air without demanding access to research that would have better informed his questioning of Mr. Cheadle. And, yes, the movie is entertaining. But Hollywood's treatment of Lurma Rackley reminds me very much of the Hollywood that will look you straight in the eye and tell you that no movie every makes a profit. The studios and the record labels can show you one set of books that will prove their point...until their "suits" are dragged into court and forced to testify under oath. Oh, how different it would be if, somehow, the movie folks had to testify under oath about whether or not Lurma's excellent book had any influence on the movie and, especially, on the forthcoming documentary. Certainly, it would be wonderful if Lurma received her "props" going forward, but I would not have her hold her breath until that happens. Frankly, I like her much too much to see an obiturary reporting her death to have been caused by Hollywood's refusal to talk to her. John Bruce Johnson's clip reminds me that once upon a time, long, long ago, there was such a things as really good journalism practiced on what is now a "vast wasteland". But I digress.

Yes, Mr. Cheadle deserves "props" for his on-screen portrayal of Petey. Mr. Smiley, on this occasion, deserves a "thumbs down" for going on air without demanding access to research that would have better informed his questioning of Mr. Cheadle. And, yes, the movie is entertaining.

But Hollywood's treatment of Lurma Rackley reminds me very much of the Hollywood that will look you straight in the eye and tell you that no movie every makes a profit. The studios and the record labels can show you one set of books that will prove their point...until their "suits" are dragged into court and forced to testify under oath.

Oh, how different it would be if, somehow, the movie folks had to testify under oath about whether or not Lurma's excellent book had any influence on the movie and, especially, on the forthcoming documentary. Certainly, it would be wonderful if Lurma received her "props" going forward, but I would not have her hold her breath until that happens. Frankly, I like her much too much to see an obiturary reporting her death to have been caused by Hollywood's refusal to talk to her.

John

]]> By: Don http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/08/03/knowing-the-real-petey-greene/comment-page-1/#comment-23411 Don Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:56:55 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/08/03/knowing-the-real-petey-greene/#comment-23411 http://www.labguysworld.com/VTR_Links.htm Dave, just pay the money to convert the VX tapes from one of the above sources. Put the Davy Marlin Jones reviews on youtube and move forward. http://www.labguysworld.com/VTR_Links.htm

Dave, just pay the money to convert the VX tapes from one of the above sources. Put the Davy Marlin Jones reviews on youtube and move forward.

]]> By: bruce Johnson http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/08/03/knowing-the-real-petey-greene/comment-page-1/#comment-23144 bruce Johnson Sun, 05 Aug 2007 16:46:56 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/08/03/knowing-the-real-petey-greene/#comment-23144 Thanks for the plug, saw the movie and found it entertaining and I wasn't really bothered by the hollywood treatment of Petey's story. Happens all the time. I plan to read Lurma's book..still waiting for the Marvin Gaye and Marion Barry movies. Thanks for the plug, saw the movie and found it entertaining and I wasn't really bothered by the hollywood treatment of Petey's story. Happens all the time. I plan to read Lurma's book..still waiting for the Marvin Gaye and Marion Barry movies.

]]> By: Dave Nuttycombe http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/08/03/knowing-the-real-petey-greene/comment-page-1/#comment-22997 Dave Nuttycombe Sat, 04 Aug 2007 20:34:45 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/08/03/knowing-the-real-petey-greene/#comment-22997 One of the producers of "Talk To Me" called me about giving them videotapes of old Petey Greene shows for Don Cheadle to study. For years, I've been telling people that I have such tapes. I clearly recall recording several shows on Channel 20. One was an in-studio picnic, where Petey sat at a picnic table eating, I believe, KFC out of the bucket. Behind him was a Dodge Dart. What a set! He said, "Now we're gonna sit down and dine sufficiently!" Which he did, as a song played. Another episode involved Petey sitting in his trademarked high-back cane chair. He'd finished speechifying and sat back while Sinatra's "My Way" played. The entire song. The camera just held on Petey the whole time. Great television. Anyway, when I went to the deep recesses of the Nuttycombe Archives to retrieve these tapes--I couldn't find them. There were several unlabeled tapes that were neither VHS or even Beta, but a short-lived format by Quasar. Maybe the shows are on these, but the machine to play them doesn't work. So the producers, and history, are out of luck. One of the producers of "Talk To Me" called me about giving them videotapes of old Petey Greene shows for Don Cheadle to study. For years, I've been telling people that I have such tapes. I clearly recall recording several shows on Channel 20. One was an in-studio picnic, where Petey sat at a picnic table eating, I believe, KFC out of the bucket. Behind him was a Dodge Dart. What a set! He said, "Now we're gonna sit down and dine sufficiently!" Which he did, as a song played.

Another episode involved Petey sitting in his trademarked high-back cane chair. He'd finished speechifying and sat back while Sinatra's "My Way" played. The entire song. The camera just held on Petey the whole time. Great television.

Anyway, when I went to the deep recesses of the Nuttycombe Archives to retrieve these tapes--I couldn't find them. There were several unlabeled tapes that were neither VHS or even Beta, but a short-lived format by Quasar. Maybe the shows are on these, but the machine to play them doesn't work. So the producers, and history, are out of luck.

]]> By: Lurma Rackley http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/08/03/knowing-the-real-petey-greene/comment-page-1/#comment-22996 Lurma Rackley Sat, 04 Aug 2007 19:54:06 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/08/03/knowing-the-real-petey-greene/#comment-22996 To want Petey's true strength of character known is in no way disrespectful of Don Cheadle. I, too, think he is a great actor, and I am sure he relied on the script to inform him. Amanda's article helps the reader learn about Petey from people who knew him. And if people want to hear Petey's own story in his own words, the book -- Laugh If You Like, Ain't a Damn Thing Funny -- is there for that purpose. I commend Amanda and City Paper for the feature. To want Petey's true strength of character known is in no way disrespectful of Don Cheadle. I, too, think he is a great actor, and I am sure he relied on the script to inform him. Amanda's article helps the reader learn about Petey from people who knew him. And if people want to hear Petey's own story in his own words, the book -- Laugh If You Like, Ain't a Damn Thing Funny -- is there for that purpose. I commend Amanda and City Paper for the feature.

]]> By: SarahG http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/08/03/knowing-the-real-petey-greene/comment-page-1/#comment-22700 SarahG Fri, 03 Aug 2007 19:34:11 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/08/03/knowing-the-real-petey-greene/#comment-22700 I wanna hear that old material, too--the radio stuff, as opposed to the TV stuff. I wonder if the station would do it? I wanna hear that old material, too--the radio stuff, as opposed to the TV stuff. I wonder if the station would do it?

]]> By: Don http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/08/03/knowing-the-real-petey-greene/comment-page-1/#comment-22688 Don Fri, 03 Aug 2007 18:29:24 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/08/03/knowing-the-real-petey-greene/#comment-22688 I've been in contact with Ms. Rackley and she's a wonderful source of information, but I should also mention that it's not the least bit strange for Hollywood or the movies to not discuss or not try to fact check a fictionalized biography. The point, in ways, about such bios is that they are a script, not the true story. Anything that would alter the story arc (such as Petey begging for a job) would naturally be dismissed. Because I was so young when he was on the air, I have a hard time dealing with the real Petey Greene. He didn't speak to me and his satire went to places that a 13 yr old mind had trouble processing. What would be great, however, would be to track down and release on the web old Petey Greene radio airchecks. His TV show was so strange, possibly not like the real Petey Greene, so I would really like to hear his 1970s material. I've been in contact with Ms. Rackley and she's a wonderful source of information, but I should also mention that it's not the least bit strange for Hollywood or the movies to not discuss or not try to fact check a fictionalized biography. The point, in ways, about such bios is that they are a script, not the true story. Anything that would alter the story arc (such as Petey begging for a job) would naturally be dismissed.

Because I was so young when he was on the air, I have a hard time dealing with the real Petey Greene. He didn't speak to me and his satire went to places that a 13 yr old mind had trouble processing.

What would be great, however, would be to track down and release on the web old Petey Greene radio airchecks. His TV show was so strange, possibly not like the real Petey Greene, so I would really like to hear his 1970s material.

]]> By: Amanda http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/08/03/knowing-the-real-petey-greene/comment-page-1/#comment-22673 Amanda Fri, 03 Aug 2007 16:36:52 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/08/03/knowing-the-real-petey-greene/#comment-22673 Nobody's hating on Don Cheadle. But he's still no expert, and should have said as much. Nobody's hating on Don Cheadle. But he's still no expert, and should have said as much.

]]> By: Jeffrey http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/08/03/knowing-the-real-petey-greene/comment-page-1/#comment-22671 Jeffrey Fri, 03 Aug 2007 16:27:56 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/08/03/knowing-the-real-petey-greene/#comment-22671 Stop hating on Don Cheadle. Stop hating on Don Cheadle.

]]> By: Jonathan R. Rees http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/08/03/knowing-the-real-petey-greene/comment-page-1/#comment-22655 Jonathan R. Rees Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:17:27 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/08/03/knowing-the-real-petey-greene/#comment-22655 Un-Fuckin believeable. City Desk finally write a blog entry that is worthy reading! Maybe if City Desk would write more stuff like this it might be read by more than my person and the four City Desk staffers who do. Un-Fuckin believeable. City Desk finally write a blog entry that is worthy reading!

Maybe if City Desk would write more stuff like this it might be read by more than my person and the four City Desk staffers who do.

]]>