Posted By:
Ted ZanidakisGreg,
Your observation regarding Burn's BB production is well
stated. After a while it was tedious to watch. Burns, did
the same with his Jazz rendering. It is like he had an
"agenda" to promote in at least these two productions. In
both, he could have emphasized the positive. Namely, how
Baseball and Jazz are probably the most influential factors
in breaking down the barriers between Blacks and Whites
in this country. And sure, it took some time, but these two
forms of entertainment certainly served as catalysts in
improving race relations this past century.
You noted the problems of BB film, so I wont to add to them.
However, in his Jazz rendering, two early pioneers who were
well known in Jazz, were Hoagy Carmichael and Lionel Hampton
(a White guy and a conservative Black); and, Burns totally
disregarded them.
To me, Burns looks at a glass half full and tries to tell us
it is empty. I tend to be an optimist, and I see that same
glass of water as partially full. It is a real shame, because
BaseBall and Jazz are real Americana; and, definitely deserved
a more objective and fair treatment than Burns gave us.