Dick Gregory

This revealing portrait of comedian, activist, pop-culture icon and thought leader Dick Gregory documents his many personal reinventions throughout the decades, from celebrity to civil rights hero and beyond, while hearing from the incredible entertainers who have been inspired by his blueprint.

The iconic Mister Kelly’s bedazzled the country by launching superstars like Barbra Streisand, Richard Pryor, Bette Midler, and Steve Martin. It smashed color and gender barriers to put controversial voices on stage and transformed entertainment in America in the '50s, '60s, and ’70s.

Showcasing three short films by American writer James Baldwin, wherein he muses about race, sexuality and civil rights, among other topics, in Istanbul, Paris and Great Britain.

Run With It, is the hilariously funny debut comedy special of Mark Gregory that pays tribute to his uncle, the late Dick Gregory. In this special, Mark takes us on a journey through his life as a dad, divorcee and comedian.

This film is a documentary about slavery in America and the harsh living conditions for many African Americans today as a direct result of being forced to live in involuntary servitude. It focuses on Mae Louise Miller, former slave until the 1960's, and others still living on plantations in the Mississippi delta.

A runaway couple go on an unforgettable journey from Boston to Key West, recapturing their passion for life and their love for each other on a road trip that provides revelation and surprise right up to the very end.

The film chronicles Nina Simone's journey from child piano prodigy to iconic musician and passionate activist, told in her own words.

In the summer of 1964, more than 700 students descended on violent, segregated Mississippi. Defying authorities, they registered voters, created freedom schools, and established the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. Fifty years later, eyewitness accounts and never-before-seen archival material tell their story. Not all of them would make it through.

Professor Irwin Corey is now 101 years old and he is a well known comedian, entertainer and political satirist. Fran is 95 and his wife of 71 years. Dick Gregory shares Irwin's contribution and family friend Susan Sarandon narrates.

Pauley Perrette's debut documentary profiles the extraordinary life of civil rights attorney, activist and 'freedom rider' Mark Lane. The film is a personal journey of a man who played a central role in key historical events of the 20th century including the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr., the Jonestown massacre and Wounded Knee occupation.

Lewis Black hosts a night of stand-up comedy live from the Warner Theatre in D.C. to celebrate the Bill of Rights.

Shadows of Liberty presents the phenomenal true story of today's disintegrating freedoms within the U.S. media, and government, that they don't want you to see. The film takes an intrepid journey through the darker corridors of the American media landscape, where global media conglomerates exercise extraordinary political, social, and economic power. The overwhelming collective power of these firms raises troubling questions about democracy. Highly revealing interviews, actuality, and archive material, tell insider accounts of a broken media system, where journalists are prevented from pursuing controversial news stories, people are censored for speaking out against abuses of government power, and individual lives are shattered as the arena for public expression has been turned into a private profit zone

Not only is Jessica Spencer the most popular girl in school -- she is also the meanest. But things change for the attractive teen when a freak accident involving a cursed pair of earrings and a chance encounter at a gas station causes her to switch bodies with Clive, a sleazy crook. Jessica, in the form of the repulsive Clive, struggles to adjust to this radical alteration and sets out to get her own body back before the upcoming prom.

Largely considered to be the greatest American author, Mark Twain is celebrated in this exhaustive documentary by filmmaker Ken Burns.

Directors Robert Townsend and Quincy Newell offer this comprehensive and hilarious examination of the history, evolution and cultural significance of African American comedy in America, from the earliest minstrel shows to the latest HBO special. Featuring interviews with cultural critics and loads of comedic clips, this program features appearances by a who's-who of black comedians including Chris Rock, Bill Cosby, Whoopi Goldberg and many more.

Every college campus has its rivalries and UTS is no different. At this university, the Geeks run the campus and the greatest Steppers are king of the hill. When a local radio station announces the beginning of the step competition season, the campus fraternities and sororities fight to recruit the best talent that will help them win the big-money prize.

The Comedy Central Roasts are a series of celebrity roast specials which air on the Comedy Central cable network. This one is for Hugh Hefner.

Broadcast journalist Tavis Smiley hits the road in 2008 with friends Cornel West, BeBe Winans and other prominent African Americans to explore the contemporary experiences of black men and to ask them: "What do you stand for?" Set against Barack Obama's rise to presidential power, Smiley and his fellow travelers offer diverse perspectives on African Americans' soul music, historic struggle for equality, current race relations and more.

The Shaquille O'Neal Celebrity Roast is a unique urban comedy special that combines the world of sports and entertainment. In an unconventional format, megastar Shaquilee O'Neal rounds up a dream team of some of comedy's hottest stars for an hour of non-stop laughter all at Shaq's expense. Hosted by Grammy award winner and talk show host, Queen Latifah, this hilarious program features a star-studded roster including Cedric The Entertainer, Steve Harvey, D.L. Hugley, Bill Bellamy, Jimmy Kimmel, Joe Torry, Mark Curry, Tommy Davidson, Michael Colyar, Mo'nique, and the legendary Dick Gregory.

A dream team of sports celebrities and comedians join megastars Shaquille O’Neal and Jamie Foxx to roast NFL superstar, Emmitt Smith, at the world famous MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shaq and Jamie are joined by an all star-studded line up including: Mo’nique, Guy Torry, Joe Torry, Jeff Ross, Michael Coylar, Jimmy Johnson, Michael Irvin, Dick Gregory, Stuart Scott, Daryl Johnston and more! No one was safe when this outrageous group took the stage. They showed no mercy for Emmitt, Shaq, or each other. Hilariously funny, unconventional and irreverent, Shaq’s All-Star Comedy Roast II is 90 minutes of non-stop laughter!

A musical journey through the brief life and times of the celebrated composer who pioneered the crossover of jazz and pop music -- from his celebrated scores for the Peanuts animations, to his mega-hit Cast Your Fate To The Wind, his nights in San Francisco's North Beach at the hungry i, and his ground breaking Jazz Mass at Grace Cathedral. Including recently discovered and restored footage of Guaraldi's appearances and recording sessions (captured by noted jazz writer and Rolling Stone co-founder Ralph J. Gleason), the film features new performances and insights from Dave Brubeck, Dick Gregory, George Winston, Jon Hendricks, Paul Krassner, Paul Mazursky and many more.

An American story. Traces the career of Joe Louis (1914-1981) within the context of American racial consciousness: his difficulty getting big fights early in his career, the pride of African-Americans in his prowess, the shift of White sentiment toward Louis as Hitler came to power, Louis's patriotism during World War II, and the hounding of Louis by the IRS for the following 15 years. In his last years, he's a casino greeter, a drug user, and the occasional object of scorn for young Turks like Muhammad Ali. Appreciative comment comes from boxing scholars, Louis's son Joe Jr., friends, and icons like Maya Angelou, Dick Gregory, and Bill Cosby.

Documents the art of stand-up comedy and Indian humor through the experiences of comedian, Charlie Hill. Will Rogers, Steve Allen, Dick Gregory, Floyd Westerman and others are featured.

In this sprawling, fictionalized history of the Black Panthers, 1960s Oakland becomes a war zone as the Panthers battle for the right to exist.

CBS News looks at Malcolm X, focusing on his public life from 1959 to his assassination in 1965, suggesting that his death was a great loss to the nation. The film intercuts archival footage of Malcolm and interviews with family, friends, colleagues, scholars, and writers. CBS documents Malcolm's move from being Elijah Muhammad's deputy in the Nation of Islam to his embrace of Islam: his new links with the civil rights movement posed a real threat to the powers that be. CBS details his death after secret FBI acts to increase the rift between Muhammad and Malcolm. Maya Angelou, Dick Gregory, and Andrew Young offer trenchant comments. "He was our manhood," eulogized Ossie Davis.

The enigmatic nature of the Nixon presidency combined comparatively progressive legislative initiatives with a flagrant abuse of presidential power and the public trust. His achievements in expanding peaceful relations with China and the Soviet Union stand in stark contrast with his continuation of the war in Vietnam. Finally brought down by scandal and duplicity, his administration did much to erode the citizenry's faith in government.

Showtime's "In the 20th Century" is a millennium-related strand of feature-length documentaries in which famous directors take on major subjects of their choosing. In the fifth of the six films, "Funny Is Money," filmmaker Norman Jewison delves into the topic of comedy, using the hype surrounding the finale of the wildly successful NBC series "Seinfeld" as his launchpad to explore how the artform has evolved over the past 100 years.

Personal comments from family, friends, and advisors fill this remarkable documentary honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Coretta Scott King joins the Reverend Ralph Abernathy, Julian Bond, Jimmy Carter, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Senator Edward Kennedy, John Lewis, Bishop Desmond Tutu, and Andrew Young, who recall Dr. King's career and trace his leadership in the civil rights movement. Includes portions of his "I Have a Dream" speech.

This special three-part presentation of "Like It Is" examines the history of the black civil rights movement in the United States, emphasizing the role of black leaders and activists. Including the defected FBi-agent "Othello" Darthard Perry tells it all.

Stevie Wonder hosts a two-hour special with celebrity guests gathered to salute Martin Luther King Jr. on the first national holiday honoring the late civil rights leader. Participants include Elizabeth Taylor, Bill Cosby, Eddie Murphy, Cyndi Lauper, Gregory Hines, Yoko Ono, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan, Patti LaBelle, Cicely Tyson, the Pointer Sisters, Andre Crouch, the Alvin Ailey Dancers, Quincy Jones, Dick Gregory, Joan Baez, Richard Dreyfuss, Peter, Paul and Mary, Amy Grant and Debbie Allen.

Two documentary filmmakers go back in time to the pre-Civil War American South, to film the slave trade.

A report on the National Black Political Convention held in Gary, Indiana, in 1972, a historic event that gathered Black voices from across the political spectrum, among them Jesse Jackson, Dick Gregory, Coretta Scott King, Richard Hatcher, Amiri Baraka, Charles Diggs, and H. Carl McCall.

A presentation of key events in the life of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. Beginning with the 1955 bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama, MLK is followed through major steps in his struggle to promote racial equality. Including footage of King's stirring speeches, it is a fitting tribute to his legacy, and features clips narrated by a wide range of celebrities, including Harry Belafonte, Paul Newman Charlton Heston, Ruby Dee, Burt Lancaster, Anthony Quinn, Walter Matthau, Ben Gazzara, Clarence Williams III, Joanne Woodward, and James Earl Jones.

Harley Cokeliss's Chicago Blues filmed in 1972 was a remarkable film; remarkable in that it was not just a competent documentary but a film crafted with care by professionals with a love and understanding of music and a respect for its history and artists. The music and its artists of Chicago Blues reflect faithfully the structure of the city's Blues activity of the late '60s from unknown amateur to world famous stars, from house to small bar, from traditional down home to modern city style. Thus Johnny Lewis, a housepainter who played for his own amusement at home and was almost a discovery of the film team, to Muddy Waters, Chicago Blues' most famous figure.

Examines the violence and civil disobedience leading up to the hallmark decision in U.S. v. Washington, with particular reference to the Nisqually Indians of Frank's Landing in Washington.

John and Yoko in the presidential suite at the Hilton Amsterdam, which they had decorated with hand-drawn signs above their bed reading "Bed Peace." They invited the global press into their room to discuss peace for 12 hours every day.

"The whole film are non-art portraits of people in which they do what they want with this hat – and therefore, act or stand in front of my camera. It’s only love: therefore it can’t harm you". Joyce Wieland.

The Robinson's like to see themselves as liberals. So when their new black neighbours the Kingsbury's move into their apartment block they are invited for drinks but things don't quite go as they imagined it would.

Nominated for Emmy for "Program of the Year." First look at the lives of Negros on American television - in their own word. Produced/Directed by Nicholas Webster, co-written by Webster an Louis Lomax.

A loose fictitious of Charlie Parker's last years and a portrait of the jazz scene in 1960's New York. A black jazz musician bent on self destruction forms an odd friendship with a white college professor full of feeling sorry for himself.

This documentary depicts the wild swinging youth scene of the turbulent 60's, with in-depth footage of hippies doing a protest march against the Vietnam war in Washington, D.C., a rowdy New Jersey biker club called the Aliens letting it all hang out, and kids having themselves a groovy good time at a funky Florida rock festival.

James Baldwin and Dick Gregory discuss the Civil Rights Movement in 1960s Great Britain.

Police Power and Freedom of Assembly: The Gregory March, documents the protests on Thursday, August 29th at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Comedian/activist Dick Gregory is arrested as he attempts to lead a march to break the police cordon around the Chicago Loop. This film is incorporated into the Film Group’s feature “American Revolution II.”

“AMERICAN REVOLUTION 2” includes footage of the 1968 Democratic Convention protest and riot, a critique of events by working class African-Americans in Chicago, and attempts by the Black Panther Party to organize poor, southern white youths.

Documentary about John Howard Griffin, a white man who disguised himself as a black man (dying his skin) and traveled through the South during the Civil Rights era. He did so because he was writing a news article about discrimination against blacks in the South. He wrote a famous book called "Black Like Me," describing his adventures.