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Capsule summary: ‘Rejoice and Shout’
“Rejoice and Shout”
“There’s a movie!?” The ghost of Sam Malone, the “Cheers” bartender who spent weeks reading “War and Peace,” then found out he could’ve watched the film, resurfaced after watching “Rejoice and Shout,” the best history of gospel music to yet hit the screen.
One could spend weeks researching the topic (I did) and not get too much more essential information than provided by this film, made by noted music documentarian Don McGlynn (“The Howlin’ Wolf Story”) and made special by the vintage performance footage lent by collector Joe Lauro.
Although the film is a bit scholarly at times, relying heavily on info by gospel historians Anthony Heilbut and Bill Carpenter, they know their stuff. And they set up the vamp and pure talent of such acts as Swan Silvertones, Dixie Hummingbirds, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, the Staple Singers and many more that make “Rejoice and Shout” a must-see for black gospel enthusiasts.
The innovative Soul Stirrers of Trinity, Texas, who receive their own chapter in Heilbut’s great book “The Gospel Sound,” get snubbed by “R&S,” with only a token mention. But the filmmakers can otherwise be commended for covering so much ground in this labor of love that should be required viewing for high school students.
Screenings: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Alamo South; 1 p.m. Saturday March 20, the Carver.
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By Joe Lauro
May 26, 2010 3:32 PM | Link to this
Thanks for your enthusiastic review..just to set the record straight. I produced the film as well as arranged all of the interviews, found all of the new groups we filmed and worked the camera in several situations. Don McGlynn and I have collaborated on four films ( including THE HOWLING WOLF STORY and LOUIS PRIMA: THE WILDEST ) where I have worked in the same capacity…collector..not me! I do however spend a lot of time acquiring as much vintage footage of the subjects we chose to film as humanly possible!
thanks again
joe lauro Producer Rejoice And Shout