Film: GO, MAN, GO!

In 1954, James Wong Howe became the first person of color to helm a major studio release with his directorial feature debut Go, Man, Go! The film focuses on the story of Jewish entrepreneur Abe Saperstein (Dane Clark) and is a dramatic retelling of the formation of the basketball-based entertainment group The Harlem Globetrotters. Featuring Patricia Breslin as Sylvia Saperstein, along with early roles for Ruby Dee and Sidney Poitier, the film includes actual footage of the Globetrotters playing in Madison Square Garden.

The film’s screenwriter and producer Alfred Palca was blacklisted during the making of the film and refused to cooperate with the FBI. In order to sign a distributor for the film, Palca was forced to reduce his profile, giving the producing credit to Anton Leader, his brother-in-law, and the screenwriting credit to Arnold Becker, his cousin. In 1997, Palca’s screenwriting credit was restored. [82 min; drama, sports; English]