Amazing Grace (1974 film)
Amazing Grace is a 1974 comedy film directed by Stan Lathan and starring Moms Mabley.[1] The film's title is a play on words based on the name of the Christian hymn "Amazing Grace".
Amazing Grace | |
---|---|
Theatrical poster by John Solie. | |
Directed by | Stan Lathan |
Written by | Matt Robinson |
Starring | Moms Mabley Slappy White Rosalind Cash Moses Gunn |
Music by | Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson |
Distributed by | United Artists |
Release date |
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Running time | 99 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Plot
Grace is a widow who influences the local mayoral election in Baltimore, Maryland after she discovers her somewhat slow-witted neighbor Welton J. Waters (Gunn) is being used to run for mayor by shady politicians and the incumbent mayor to further his own self-serving reelection efforts. Grace knows the politicians have no interest in the betterment of the neighborhood and are only interested in getting their hands on the money that comes into it. She organizes some of the people in the community and together they devise a plan to thwart the crooked politician’s schemes.[2]
Cast
- Moms Mabley — Grace Teasdale Grimes
- Slappy White — Forthwirth Wilson
- Moses Gunn — Welton J. Waters
- Rosalind Cash — Creola Waters
- James Karen — Annenburg
Background and Release
Mabley suffered a heart attack during filming,[3] but had a pacemaker implanted and returned to complete the filming three weeks after the attack.[4] This film is marked as Mabley's final appearance on screen. The film also featured cameo appearances by veteran actors Butterfly McQueen and Stepin Fetchit. Originally released on August 30, 1974 by United Artists, The film ia available on DVD from MGM, and on Blu-Ray from Olive Films.[5]
References
- "Movie Review - Amazing Grace: Moms Mabley in 'Amazing Grace':The Cast", New York Times, November 2, 1974. Accessed 24 June 2014
- New York Times, Moms Mabley in 'Amazing Grace':The Cast, VINCENT CANBY., Nov. 2, 1974
- Jacobson, Mark (October 14, 1974). "Amazing Moms". New York Magazine. 250 Vesey Street New York, NY 10281: New York Media. Retrieved December 19, 2020.CS1 maint: location (link)
- "Moms Mabley | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- Amazon, Amazing Grace, 1974