Purlie

[SierraSugar02]

My mother had this on VHS. I think she recorded it off of TV. I remember watching this with her as a little girl and seeing this brings up so many memories. I wish dad still had that collection of VHS tapes mom used to have. But like most people, the VHS either wore out, got lost in moves, or disposed of in favor of DVD. Can't find this performance anywhere reasonably priced.

[mjpk6269]

This was the first episode of A&E's "Breakfast with the Arts" I ever saw. I remember seeing the movie "Purlie Victorious" (Gone are the Days) years later with Sorrell Booke and (introducing) Alan Alda, but THIS was better, with Robert Guillaume, Sherman Helmsley, and Melba Moore. Thirty years after the television play, I remember, "How low can you git, Gitlow?"

[jpnat50]

LOVE IT, TRYING TO FIND A DVD REASONABLY PRICED

[whatuswattingat]

@jpnat50 It's never been on DVD. And as for a low priced copy? The VHS on Amazon is over $200!

[jpnat50]

love it, trying to find a dvd reasonly priced

[drlala2b]

anyone in the Baltimore area or close to, there will be a performance of purlie at coppin state university on 04 and 05 february. contact Trinity Presbyterian Church for tickets ($35) 410-383-9633

[scratchnandsurvivn]

I love me some purlie!! The dancing in this scene is the absolute!!

[kevsangel220]

Love it! Brings back childhood memories!

[vangoghmatisse]

Absolutely FABULOUS THEATRE!!!!

[Annakc1230]

Your clip from Purlie is great. Do you happen to have a copy of the entire movie to sell?

[thikwitit71]

My favorite Broadway production of all time. Does anyone know where I could purchase it from?

[bhg135]

LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!

[justmenbat]

Thanks a million for giving more of us the opportunity to witness true talent. I saw this play many years ago and loved it then. Thanks to Ossie Davis for giving us such a wonderful gift.

[1whopraises]

This is great, thanks for sharing I've been looking for movie a long time. I remember watching it with my father.

[couturesixfour]

mother isn't even trying to play that piano...i still love this scene!!!

[FCJPS1]

Amazing. Linda Hopkins......Robert Guillaume(sp?). That choreography. The notes those sopranos had to hit. I watched this several times. Thank you so much for posting this. It made me smile!

[kathbeth43]

fabulous, thank you.

[vangoghmatisse]

Iwonder if this is Alvin Ailey, how fabulous!!!

[muriel74]

One of my most favorite musicals of all time! Love it!

[tiredneedstrength]

I played a congregant and field hand in the NRHS production of this in 1977. One of the best times in my life as a kid(but i'm still not sure why). One thing for sure; good times.

[jettataylor2]

Just found my original sound recording (33 1/3 RPM Stereo) What wonderful memories! I went to see it in New York, I don't remember where though. Cleavon Little what a outstanding talent! And Melba Moore as Lutiebelle WOW!

Where can I get a DVD of this to treasure?

[momoshemon]

Absolutely most Inspirational this is.

[mommak10]

*lol* catfish in the skillet of the Devil. That is hillarious

[cynthiacstewart]

Simply the BOMB!!!!

[lawlee9883]

MY GOD, MY GOD. When I was a child, my mother had the soundtrack on a 12inch 33RPM record (remember those)? We used to listen to this OVER and OVER. Thank you for posting this. It brings back sweet memories of my late mother.

[wheeler70805]

My daddy use to watch this over and over and OVER :) We just found this movie on vhs collecting dust in our closet

[DONNCARLHARPER]

Spectacular. Goose bumps are running up and down my spine.

[sepod]

Hi Sheila

Stan

[SPRINGZS]

I was searching for this for years and couldn't find any copies that weren't really expensive. Good news though, I was finally able to obtain a copy on DVD for $35 at Movielead. They usually can find rare movies.

[Sessiness]

Is the copy really good quality? My sister taped some cartoon crap right over "I've got love" when she was 5 or 6 and I remember threatening to take her out. lol! My mom had taped it off TV and I have been looking for a copy ever since. I have found a few places that claim to have it but they are way too expensive.

[SPRINGZS]

I had the original VHS from '87 when it came out and I can say the DVD is better quality than that and they delivered it much faster than I expected since I am not based in the US.

[wheeler70805]

Where did you get it from on DVD because i want one alson

[SPRINGZS]

Check the website for movielead. They have a toll free number that you can call or once you get to the site you can leave your request and info. They have already got the rights it so you should get it in short order after that.

[geneebos]

Where did you get this movie and how can I obtain a copy?

[catfish36]

This is the Broadway cast of 'Purlie' feat. Robert Guillaume, Sherman Helmsley and the indomitable Linda  Hopkins.

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaby, I haven't heard this is eons.

[christobal327]

I have been searching for this tape, video, cd what ever format I can find it in. Could you please tell me where you found this. I saw this on HBO far too many years ago to say.... but my mother is dying to own this video, the whole thing. I would love to give her this for christmas !!!! HELP !!!!

[prettieone1]

they betta walk. LOL

[StephanAOTTO1]

FABULOUS scene!

Brilliant oratory by Mr. Guillaume(sp?), the first singer's voice was so deep & rich, you feel in your netheregions....wait, too much...?

The dance & rhythms are marvelous, &, to my eye & ear, have Alvin Ailey & his 'Revelations' written all over it!!!:)

[ktpj]

Purlie should have won the Tony Award for all the categories in which it was nominated, including Best Musical, that season. Melba Moore and Cleavon Little won, deservedly so,

but Purlie should've been crowned "Best" in all categories.

[ktpj]

Rejoice! Rekab has just uploaded Melba Moore's singing "My Purlie" on his channel.

Email him a big thank you.

[bigtexansfan]

I wonder if a similar service was performed in the memory of Jesse Helms somewhere in a North Carolina church?

[ktpj]

As a resident of NC, had I known about it I would have been there. Unfortunately, most of the citizens in this allegedly "progressive" Southern state expressed sympathy and respect for Helms--a man who made a career of appealing to the basest instincts of humanity. I'm not gloating but neither can I mourn anyone who embraces bigotry rather than fights it. People promote, condone, and incite prejudices across the entire political spectrum, but Jesse Helms was the standard bearer and proud of it.

[gayzertube]

This is one of the best shows ever, and these clips are an unbelievable delight. I want to see Melba Moore sing "Purlie," a beautiful song.

[shellmail68]

I've never seen it performed until this - thank you for posting it - my parents had the record because dad played in the orchestra as a sub when I was three... I would spin arond and round on the living room rug until I fell over onto the couch I loved it so much... Wish I'd seen it with Melba Moore and Cleavon Little- it is still cathartic to hear it today.

[snakeskate2000]

your welcome

[shellmail68]

can you post the part where Melba sings "Purlie", or the duet "Bigger they are"? thank you again, M

[rossfan34]

I love this scene. The dancing is fantastic!! I actually bought a copy on vhs for $50. Worth every penny!! Thanks for posting!!

[writingman24]

i sang thins in HS choir...it was very exciting!

[amjPeace]

This is a masterpiece!!!! Bravo!!!

[livingmylife202]

does the version with cleavon little exist on vhs or dvd?

[alisadm]

No. This version was recorded for PBS in 1981 and is the only recorded version since nobody could illegally bootleg shows in the 70s. Little known fact tho'--Robert Guillaume actually did replace Cleavon Little in the Broadway run.

[firestar1075]

i was at this performance with my godmother. i got to mee ms moore after this performance and again when she was doing timbuktu. (godmother had connections) to whoever posted this THANK YOU SO MUCH! my favorite scenes were the great white father and the phoney sermon. PBS should run this again sometime

[BjonesK]

THANK YOU for posting this..I remember watching this as a child..memorizing every line and song!!

Please add more!

[FaytLinegod]

Yes, PLEASE add more. I can't find this anywhere.

[bedorelake]

The unmistakable Linda Hopkins leading the choir!!!

[quasimike]

I agree...this is a CLASSIC performance, and I'm also glad you took the time to post it! Hopefully there'll be more sometime...I'd love to be able to watch the entire thing again after all these years!

[JPsalm]

where can I find this on DVD

[bskeete]

thank you....i hve been searching for this

performance clip for months....thks for sharing.

[snakeskate2000]

your welcome

[kathbeth43]

why don't you just download the whole thing. :) There would be so many people grateful to you.

[FaytLinegod]

Yes, and I'd be one of them.

[nudapapimami]

me too

[smadduxcarp]

I haven't seen this for years! I've been checking youtube frequently in hopes of finding it! Thank you!!

[tezedar]

Thanx for the video, this is great, please add more!