Tribeca 2021: ‘The One and Only Dick Gregory’ Film Review | In the documentary, The One and Only Dick Gregory, writer and director, Andre Gaines (The Lady and the Dale, Stephen King’s Children of the Corn, Spike Lee’s Da Sweet Blood of Jesus), takes an in-depth look into the colorful life and legacy of iconic political comedian, activist, and health and wellness advocate — Dick Gregory. Gregory used comedy to bring attention to heated issues of race and politics during the Civil Rights era. Through an abundance of archival footage from nightclub appearances, political rallies, television interviews, and personal videos, Gaines shows us the man behind the comedy and activism. Contemporary interviews with Gregory’s wife Lillian, son Christian, and daughter Ayanna also appear in the project. His family speaks of Gregory’s home life as well as his dedication to his work, which at times, proved to be more important to him than his family. Gregory was focused on the larger picture. He felt his family could wait, if the work he was doing was for the greater good of many.
Some of the top names in comedy including Chris Rock, Dave Chappell, Kevin Hart, W. Kamau Bell and Wanda Sykes make appearances praising Gregory’s influence on them as well as the impact his brand of humor had on the comedy world; Let alone a Black comedian. These comedy greats also spill some tea, letting us in on some of the good and bad moments in their friendships with Gregory.
Additional commentary from Harry Belafonte, Lawrence O’Donnell, and Civil Rights leader Medgar Evers’ wife Dr. Myrlie Evers-Williams are notable as is the abundant footage of Gregory as a voice of the Civil Rights era. His sentiments and calls to action are still vital and relevant today.
The One and Only Dick Gregory documents the performer’s many incarnations over the decades from nightclub performer, to political activist (working with Medger Evers and Martin Luther King), health and wellness advocate, diet product entrepreneur, husband and father of 11 children. It is Gaines’ hope that the project exposes a new generation of young people to Dick Gregory’s full body of work. His style has always connected with young people whether he was protesting against Vietnam, explaining the reasons behind the Watts riots, famously running across the country or fasting to shed light on Hunger in America.
Political and social issues affecting Blacks in America were always the theme of Dick Gregory’s performances. In 1961, at 28 years of age and at the height of Jim Crow, Dick Gregory began to catch the attention of white nightclub owners, landing him on the stage of the famous Playboy Club. His career took off that night after he commanded a packed house of white, likely racist, southerners with jokes about racism, poverty and the black experience. He became the first Black comedian to take over the white nightclub scene, according to Time magazine.
Television talk show hosts also loved and respected Dick Gregory’s sharp humor as seen in his appearances on Jack Parr, Merv Griffin, Mike Wallace and Johnny Carson included in the film.
The One and Only Dick Gregory provides a personal portrait of Black excellence against all odds. Executive produced by Kevin Hart and Lena Waithe, the doc shows the full breadth of Dick Gregory’s work, which is long overdue.
Catch The One and Only Dick Gregory on Showtime premiering, Sunday, Jul 4 at 9pm ET/PT.
DIRECTOR: Andre Gaines
PRODUCERS: Andre Gaines, Valerie Edwards
SCREENWRITER: Andre Gaines
CINEMATOGRAPHERS: Derek Mindler, Lucas Pitassi
COMPOSER: Kyle Townsend
EDITORS: Cinque Northern, Ron Eigen, Patrick Murphy
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Kevin Hart, Lena Waithe, Bryan Smiley, Rishi Rajani, Vinnie Malhotra, Christian Gregory, Chad Troutwine, Matt Rachamkin
CO-PRODUCERS: Madison Passarelli, Julie Turner
CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Lauren Dandridge Gaines, Rob Schneider, Jonathan Baker, Michael Johnson
US DISTRIBUTOR: Showtime Networks, Inc.
CAST: Dick Gregory, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Lena Waithe, Harry Belafonte, Wanda Sykes, W. Kamau Bell
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