St. John's Confidential File

HELLO AMERICA!—Upon hearing about our play, "I FEEL SIN COMIN' ON," being produced in Atlanta, GA, I received a message from a fan who asked why it wasn't being supported and produced in Los Angeles. The same query was posed by many listeners of my national radio show as well. It was initially rather disturbing because after so many...

HELLO AMERICA!—It pains me tremendously, but the truth must be told, that our so-called Black stars of film and stage today who are touted having so much power and dedication in giving back to the ever-struggling artistic community is a complete fallacy. During the 40s and 50s, people of color who were fortunate enough to have doors of opportunity...

HELLO AMERICA!—Since there is a major film in the planning based on my book “Hollywood Through the Back Door,” one of the highlighted scenes, of course, will focus on the fire-bombing of my dorm room when first attending Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana during the early 50s. Should it be decided to that the focus of "Hollywood Through the...

HELLO AMERICA!—Thank you again for all the messages of good wishes and support during this time of my "vision" problems. Things are much better and hopefully, in a month or so, I will return to my normal sighted-self.  However, I have been able to keep up with the news as well as those who make it. Cicely Tyson, who passed...

HELLO AMERICA!—His name is Bobby Wright. He is not only an actor and writer, he is a guy who has a passion for finding financing of motion pictures. Home for Bobby is watching the results in a theater on the screen. MSJ: Since you are a California native, how did this affect the image you had of the rest of...

HELLO AMERICA!─With the death of Congressman John Lewis, one realizes we are witnessing the birth of a new America, along with a new cry of those around the globe who are hungering for acknowledgement and respect as human beings. The coronavirus has opened the hidden doors of bigotry, and ignorance that has been cleverly hidden for many decades, which would...

HELLO AMERICA—I have heard of many story ideas for film and theatre, but never anything like this! "Send Me" is a web series about Gwen, a black woman and a professor of African American studies who has the power to send black people back in time to slavery as a character building measure. The power to do this has been...

HELLO AMERICA!—Millions of cinema lovers are hungry for stories and characters that inspire them; ones which kept theatre audiences in tears, laughter and even inspired. There are very few films that represent hope or a better life like: Mrs. Miniver, “Gone With the Wind,” “Singing in the Rain,” “American in Paris,” “Red Shoes,” “Ziegfield Follies,” “The Corn is Green,” “Dancing...

HELLO AMERICA!─If my late friend, James Dean, was aware of how many actors are clamoring to portray him in a possible film, based on the book “Hollywood Through the Back Door,” he would be amused, to be sure. He would first smile, turn his head in a very awkward twist and then whisper, “Why? Hell, they don’t know who...

HELLO AMERICA!—Without a doubt, George Clooney is one of the stars who adds so much to the Hollywood many of us grew up applauding and genuinely loved and supported. Many of the actor’s fans didn’t realize that Clooney did not start out with his eye on motion pictures. He grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, his dad Nick Clooney was a well-known television personality and newsman in...