GO MAN GO
US, 1954, 82 minutes, Black and white.
Dane Clark, Patricia Breslin, Sidney Poitier, The Harlem Globetrotters.
Directed by James Wong Howe.
Go, Man, Go is for fans of basketball and the Harlem Globetrotters. It tells the story of Abe Saperstein (played by Dane Clark) who created the basketball team, the Harlem Globetrotters. They were famous in the 50s not only for their games and success but also for the humorous turns that they put on, a kind of comic performance along with their skills in the game. They toured the world and were very popular.
The film was also an early film for Sidney Poitier. Several of the Harlem Globetrotters appear as themselves.
A film of the 1950s – but of some historical interest, especially as directed by veteran cameraman James Wong Howe, a Chinese citizen born in Guanghzou but who migrates to the United States and started as an assistant cameraman in Hollywood in 1919. From 1923 to 1975 (with Funny Lady), he was cinematographer for a great number of films and wide ranging. He was greatly respected by film directors.
1. The quality of this sports film as entertainment, semi-documentary?
2. The styles of the fifties, black and white photography, the sequences of basketball-playing, the use of the programmes for showing the progress of the Globetrotters? The continued use of music with the style of the Globetrotters?
3. How interesting as a biography of Abe Saperstein? The importance of the prologue in giving the style of the man? His energy, capacity for work, love of the sport, relationship with his family, relationship with Inman and the company? His methods for getting men and bringing them into his side? The prospects of marriage, the humour of seeing Sylvia at the theatre and the contest? Love for her, his intuition and marriage? The marriage sequence and the Jewish background?
4. Abe as a man of ambition and perfection, his explanation to a Sylvia? The effect on him, his effect on others? The continued clash with Jim Willoughby and Abe's ambitions?
5. The picture of sport, teamwork, training, improving style, games and matches? The question of being tired and needing a rest and the introduction of the tricks, audience response to the skill of the Globetrotters?
6. Leader and his testing of Saperstein, his continued help, the arraigning of the tournament, Willoughby's intervention and pressurising the Globetrotters out?
7. Abe's reaction to the blows? Were they conventional difficulties? The reactions of all the team? Inman and the selling of the bus, Sylvia and her deciding to leave, his father and lending the money, the man appraising the furniture, leader? Abe and his continued thrust and wheeler-dealing for his team?
8. The importance of the tournament and the film's attention to this, the matches and the portrayal of the play in the final match? Achievement?
9. The impact of the Harlem Globetrotters throughout the decades? Their title and the title of the film and the sense of sport and achievement? An American sports film reflecting the values of America and success?
