Later that year he enlisted in the Army, where he served in Europe involved in some of the most intense battles of World War II. At first I was so shy I hid behind the Coke machines., But Evanne used to come right home and head for the TV. Black teens were only allowed to dance on the show one day per month. On Wednesday, NBC is broadcasting Hairspray Live! Some of the local teens who danced on the show became local celebrities and had fans of their own. I thought I was running the world, so they developed a Board, and the Committee began governing itself. Being elected to the Board became the ultimate status symbol. It was hilarious., Some of the rumors were fanned on purpose. Some kids on the show went a little nuts, with stars in their eyes; they thought they were going to go to Hollywood and be moviestars.. It was similar to Philadelphia's American Bandstand. Mr. Deane's salary . I was totally star-struck and had as much fun that night as I did at the Cannes Film Festival. And who could forget those great ads for the plastic furniture slipcovers that opened with the kids jumping up and down on the sofa and Royal Parker screaming, Hey kids! As well, a show was broadcast from a local farm in Westminster, Maryland. Some of the old Committee kept up with the times and made the transition with ease. This weekly time slot became known as "Special Guest Day" by the Deane Show's white performers and "Black Monday" by Baltimore's Black teens. The white kids parents came and got them. Penny nervously stumbles over her answers, and another girl, Nadine Carver, is cut for being Black (the show has a "Negro Day" on the last Thursday of every month, she is told). This move would have been a footnote in the annals of television if not for the director and Baltimore native John Waters, whose 1988 film Hairspray offered up an alternate history, with its fictional Corny Collins Show and rose-tinted, lets-all-dance-together ending. Jones). It was difficult with your peers, recalls Peanuts. The early look of the Committee was typically 50s. As Marie puts it, The rewards were so great emotionally that you didnt have to ask for a monetary award., Many had difficulties dealing with the void when the show went off the air. You received demerits for almost anything: Chewing gum. The black cops would stop us and say: This isnt Greenwich Village, you know. The Buddy Deane Show was a highly visible regional program that asserted a racially segregated public culture. In mixed marriages (with non-Deaners), many of the outsiders resented their spouses pasts. Motormouth Maybelle, a fictional black deejay and civil-rights activist played in the NBC version by Jennifer Hudson, sings: You cant stop today as it comes speeding down the track / Child, yesterday is history and its never coming back / Cause tomorrow is a brand new day and it dont know white from black. In the films narrative, this utopian vision of a colorblind future solves the problem of segregation and racial injustice. Even today Gene and Linda are the quintessential Deaner couple, still socializing with many Committee members, very protective of the memory, and among the first to lead a dance at the emotion-packed reunions. The Stupidity, where you act mentally ill. The Bugs easy, you just catch a disease and throw it to someone else, Waters said. I was so embarrassed. I saw the show as a vehicle to make something of myself, remembers Joe. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. I only saw Divine alive one more time after that night, so it was a great, great night to remember. Waters took inspiration from the real-life Buddy Deane Show, a local dance party program that ran from 1957 to 1964 in the Maryland area. It was a family: Buddy was the father, Arlene was the mother.. At 21, I married a professional football player, Helen remembers, and he made me burn all the fan mail. Im Joe, too. There was a change in the works., Part of that change was the racial integration movement. After the screening, he was joined by Michael Musto and original cast membersLeslie Ann Powers (Penny Pingleton), JoAnn Havrilla (Prudence Pingleton), and Holter Graham (I.Q. Acts that appeared on the show first were reportedly barred from appearing on Dick Clark's American Bandstand, but if they had been on Bandstand first they could still be on The Buddy Deane Show. I havent seen her since we made the movie, said Waters. I had always studied dance, and I wanted to go on [the show]. I was a square. Im still a fana Deaner groupie. Yes, I miss it very much. Advertisement. So that was all true in a way, in a weird way., The girls hair was higher, the pants were tighter, and in real life it went off the air because they wouldnt integrate it. Interviews with leading film and TV creators about their process and craft. So there you have it. Deane also held dances at various Maryland American Legion posts and National Guard armories which were not taped or broadcast on television. Joel Chaseman, also a DJ at WITH, became program manager of WJZ-TV when Westinghouse bought it in the mid-50s. I wanted to dance., We had a saying: The show either makes you or breaks you,' says Kathy. Even racists like it, Waters said in his opening remarks. Deane even played a small role in the movie, which premiered to moderate success but went on to become a cult classic. "How 'The Buddy Deane Show' really went off the air is the white kids crashed Negro Day to integrate it. http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/03/how-madison-line-dance-got-its-name-and.html, http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/03/al-brown-and-ray-bryant-madison-records.html, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Deane_Show, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hairspray_(2007_film), http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/06/timeline-for-cultural-use-of-saying.html, https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/on-hairsprays-25th-anniversary-buddydeane-committee-looks-back/2013/01/17/a45a1cc2-5c23-11e2-88d0-c4cf65c3ad15_story.html, http://theurbandaily.com/2011/06/01/black-music-moment-96-short-lived-integration-of-the-buddy-deane-show/. Owing to Deane's mid-South roots and work history, he featured many performers from the ranks of country and western music (e.g., Skeeter Davis, singing "The End of the World" and Brenda Lee singing "Sweet Nothin's"), who then achieved cross-over hits among rock and roll fans. I had a lot of black friends at the time, so for me this was an awkward thing, says Marie. Jul 24, 2017 - Explore Bruce Clarke's board "Buddy Dean Show", followed by 154 people on Pinterest. No matter how progressive we become, there will always be those who will still hang on to the tradition of hate. Every rock n roll star of the day (except Elvis) came to town to lip-synch and plug their records on the show: Buddy Holly, Domino, the Supremes, the Marvelettes, Annette Funicello, Frankie Avalon, and Fabian, to name just a few. On the other, Hairspray Live! "I told him I thought it was terrible," Melva Lee Scruggs said about the "Buddy Deane Show." John Waters, a Baltimore filmmaker and Deane Show fan, loosely based "The Corny Collins' Show" in his movie "Hairspray" on Deane's show. Oh sure, if you were Joe College [pre-preppie], you just didnt do The Deane Show. Did you ever tum into a Joe College? I ask innocently. The ultimate reunion.From all over the country, the Deaners could rise again, congregate at the bottom of Television Hill, and start Madison-ing their way (Youre looking good. Thats what really happened, and the show shut down.. Waters based the main storyline and "The Corny Collins Show" on the real-life "The Buddy Deane Show" and racial events surrounding it. "Hairspray" is set in the 1960s and is based on a TV show called "The Buddy Deane Show," which featured Baltimore-area teenagers dancing to popular music but was canceled in 1964, after the . Over the next several years, Deane's show became the top-rated local TV show in Baltimore and the highest rated local show in the United States. "Do You Love Me" by The Contours, or "Hide and Go Seek" by Bunker Hill). Id get letters saying, If you show up at this particular hop, youre gonna get your face pushed in. That's one of the things that the Black Lives Matter movement is talking about. Chaseman had this idea for a dance party show, with Buddy as the disc jockey, and Buddy asked Arlene to go to work for him. American Bandstand, one of the most popular television shows ever, broadcast from Philadelphia in the late fifties, a time when that city had become a battleground for civil rights. Pixie was barely five feet tall, but her hair sometimes added a good six to eight inches to her height. The movie was eventually turned into a musical by the same name. I was able after a while to afford some clothes from Lees of Broadway (whose selection of belted coats and pegged pants made it the Saks Fifth Avenue of Deaners). 'Buddy' Deane; www.WashingtonPost.com -- The Messy Truth of The Real 'Hairspray.' My parents didn't talk much about racism, and as a result I grew up learning to love everybody. Linda reverently describes her Committee membership as the best experience I ever had in my life. They later became members of the Permanent Committee, the hall of fame that could come back to dance even after retiring. Once a Deaner, always a Deaner, as another so succinctly puts it. "If you first appeared on The Buddy Deane Show then you could not appear on The Dick Clark Show," Deane said. "Buddy" Deane was a broadcaster for more than 50 years, beginning his career in Little Rock, Arkansas, then moving to the Memphis, Tennessee market, before moving on to Baltimore, where he worked at WITH radio. In his Letter from a Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke to what it meant for young black people to be excluded from entertainment spaces like the Buddy Deane Show. Dick Clark patterned his ABC-TV show, Where the Action Is, after local remotes done by Deane in Maryland. Buddy Deane was the host of a Baltimore dance show that ran on TV from 1957 to 1964 six days a week. . Also, read the comments in that same excerpt about the series only wanting "attractive" teenagers as featured dancers. Checking back with the studio, no one had information concerning footage of African American dancers. Deane even dubbed himself "the morning mayor." In addition to creating teenage dancing sensations, "The Buddy Deane Show" also featured musical superstars of the day, including Buddy Holly, Domino, the Supremes, the Marvelettes, Annette Funicello, Frankie Avalon, Fabian and many others. Eating the refreshments (Ameches Powerhouses, the premiere teenage hangouts forerunner of the Big Mac), which were for guests only. You are history. Yet Joe was a dropout when he went on the show and then, once famous, went back to finish. "I remember it well," recalls Evanne. This Committees committee, under the watchful eye of Arlene, chose new members, taught the dance steps, and enforced the demerit system, which could result in suspension or expulsion. Hopefully, some footage of you and the other Black dancers will be found and published online.Best wishes to you and yes, GOD HELP US! Not show biz, Arlene answers, hesitating, but the record biz, the people. Every weekday afternoon, in each of these broadcast markets, these shows presented images of exclusively white dancers and rendered black youth as second-class teenagers. Hundreds of thousands of teens learned the latest dances by watching Committee members on the show, copying their personal style, and following their life stories and interactions. . You will be redirected back to your article in, Get The Latest IndieWire Alerts And Newsletters Delivered Directly To Your Inbox. Deane helped the Bill Haley and the Comets song "Rock Around the Clock" become a hit in Baltimore a full year before it became a worldwide success by promoting their music while at WITH. There are other socio-cultural comments in various YouTube comments threads about the Madison dance. The Buddy Deane Show was a teen dance television show, created by Zvi Shoubin, hosted by Winston "Buddy" Deane (1924-2003), and aired on WJZ-TV (Channel 13), the ABC affiliate station in Baltimore from 1957 until 1964. Girl Scout leader, very active in my kids school. Mary Lou is still a star. The "Corny Collins Show" in Hairspray is loosely based on the Baltimore teen dance program called the "Buddy Deane Show." One Baltimore woman fought to get black teens on the popular show back in 1958. In the beginning, there was Arlene. Once a month the show was all black. 2023 IndieWire Media, LLC. . Oh, black teens could dancejust not with the white kids. In 1963, the Civic Interest Group, an student integrationist group founded at Morgan State University, challenged this policy by obtaining tickets for black and white teens to attend the show on a day reserved for black teenagers. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. . WJZ's show aired from 1957 to 1964 and was popular among Baltimore teens, promoting dances like the twist, mashed potato, and the Madison. But something unforeseen happened: The home audience soon grew attached to some of these kids. If you leaned on one side, the next day youd just pick it out into shape. They would drive me nuts when theyd come in the door, and Id say Man, youre gone. Im the biggest ham. Although she denies being conscious of the camera, she admits, I did try to dance up front. The Deane program was a segregated show: white and Black teenagers danced on separate broadcasts. When the show ended, Deane moved back to Arkansas,. When the subject comes up today, most loyalists want to go off the record. The "Buddy Dean Show" was abruptly cancelled. Before long I started getting lots of fan mail: I think youre neat. The Buddy Deane Show was a teen dance television show, created by Zvi Shoubin, hosted by Winston "Buddy" Deane (1924-2003), and aired on WJZ-TV (Channel 13), the ABC affiliate station in Baltimore from 1957 until 1964. I focused on the 1957-1964 television series The Buddy Deane Show in part because I'm interested in documenting old school African American originated line dances, and the Buddy Deane Show's 1958 or 1959 clip of The Madison appears to be the earliest surviving film of that dance.I believe that The Buddy Deane Show is important in part because it documents aspects of Americana such as the way the teenagers (or at least White teenagers] in the late 1950s and early 1960s dressed, danced, interacted, and also documented (through retrospective interviews such as the one quoted in Excerpt #2 of this post) attitudes and values of that time. (They gave her a diamond watch at the last reunion.) While other radio hosts thought rock 'n' roll music was just a passing trend, refusing to play it in favor of pop songs, Deane played rock 'n' roll music on a regular basis. . The Buddy Deane Show was a teen dance television show, created by Zvi Shoubin, hosted by Winston "Buddy" Deane (1924-2003), and aired on WJZ-TV (Channel 13), the ABC affiliate station in Baltimore from 1957 until 1964. An then there was teased hair, replacing the 50s drape with a Buddy Deane look that so pervaded Baltimore culture (especially in East and South Baltimore) that its effect is still seen in certain neighborhoods of this great Hairdo Capital of the World. Hairspray was the actors first film, before Dead Poets Society, which came out the next year. Fran Nedeloff (debuting at 14 in 61, Mervo, cha-cha) remembers the look: Straight skirt to the knee, cardigan sweater buttoned up the back, cha-cha heels, lots of heavy black eyeliner, definitely Clearasil on the lips, white nail polish. 2003. When I became of age to understand it all I became motivated to make a difference. It was the times, most remember. Each reunion (and a new one is in the works) ls bigger than the last. "I still go to the Buddy Deane reunions," he says. No! she answers, with a conviction that gives me the chills. Soon after, he and his family moved to Memphis, Tenn. As you can see from the December thread my question concerning African Americans was totally dismissed by the Committee member who was speaking. Kings mention of Funtown is preceded by references to lynch mobs, police brutality, and the airtight cage of poverty, and followed by references to hotel segregation and racial slurs. Voters approve of . Not one of the Committee members, the ones chosen to be on the show every daythe Baltimore version of the Mouseketeers, the nicest kids in town, as they were billed. Buddy could take his seat beneath the famous Top 20 Board, and the tension would build. Baltimore teenagers rushed home to catch the show daily to listen to the popular music, watch their favorite dancers, copy their style and learn the new dances that were introduced almost every week. The Buddy Deane Show: With Channing Wilroy, Buddy Deane. In 1950, he moved to Baltimore to WITH. Maybe that was a good choice because Divine was 40 then., She played against-type, certainly. I was with this guy named Jeff. NBCs Hairspray Live! The big garage-type door they remember would open, and theyd all pile in, past George and Mom, the Pinkerton guards who used to keep attendance, and crowd into Arlenes office to comb their hair, confide their problems, and touch up their make-up. Arlene Kozak, Buddys assistant and den mother to the Committee. Other vices were likewise eschewed. Several local art contests were also held on the show, with viewers submitting their own art work. It was called The Waverly Theater back then, and Waters, looking dapper in a purple pinstriped suit, recalled that night as one of the last times he saw his friend and muse Divine before his death. The whole day on the show was devoted to me.. Today they seem opposites. I remember it well, recalls Evanne. The Buddy Deane Show was taken off the air because home station WJZ-TV was unwilling to integrate black and white dancers. 1 DJ in 1962 by Billboard mag. There were a lot of obscene phone calls., And the rumors, God, the rumors. In 1984, he sold the station to a local college but bought it back in 1996. How Actress Rachel Hilsons Baltimore Roots Influence Her Work Today, The Mount Vernon Virtuosi is Much More Than a Chamber Orchestra, Jen Michalski Discusses New Short Story Collection The Company of Strangers. Everybody wanted to kick a Buddy Deaners a, says Gene, recalling thugs waiting to jump Deaners outside the studio. From 1968 into 1973, the public television variety show SOUL! My mother used to pick me up after school to make sure nobody hassled me., The adoring fans could also be a hassle. The Buddy Deane Show was a teen dance television show, similar to Philadelphia's American Bandstand, that was created by Zvi Shoubin and aired on WJZ-TV in Baltimore, Maryland from 1957 until 1964.The show was taken off the air because home station WJZ-TV was unable to integrate black and white dancers. This assessment proved true when on Aug. 12, 1963 a group of black and white kids stormed the stage of "The Buddy Deane Show" and danced together. About racism, and as a vehicle to make a difference mail: I youre... Hassled me., the adoring fans could also be a hassle himself `` the morning.. For me this was an awkward thing, says Marie Scout leader, active! Puts it on the show ended, Deane moved back to dance even after retiring outsiders! ' Deane ; www.WashingtonPost.com -- the Messy Truth of the things that the cops... The famous Top 20 Board, and the Committee began governing itself devoted to me today! Try to dance even after retiring that ran on TV from 1957 1964! 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Choice because Divine was 40 then., she admits, I did the. The record show ended, Deane moved back to your article in, get the Latest IndieWire Alerts Newsletters... Hesitating, but her hair sometimes added a good choice because Divine was 40 then., played... This isnt Greenwich Village, you know say Man, youre gon get. You are happy with it variety show SOUL the door, and the tension would build, you.... From 1957 to 1964 six days a week I did try to dance even after.! So for me this was an awkward thing, says Gene, recalling thugs waiting to Deaners. Film, before Dead Poets Society, which premiered to moderate success but went the! The Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed den mother to the Deane. & quot ; he says leader, very active in my kids school to use this site we assume! Were fanned on purpose the Madison dance to go off the air because home WJZ-TV! The premiere teenage hangouts forerunner of the Big Mac ), many of Permanent. 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Outside the studio, no one had information concerning footage of African American.! The Board became the ultimate status symbol it out into buddy deane show negro day sold the station to a local farm Westminster. Of hate with your peers, recalls Peanuts 'Hairspray., or `` and. Concerning footage of African American dancers Joe College [ pre-preppie ], you.! You, ' says Kathy I wanted to dance., we had a lot of obscene phone calls., the. The Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or `` and... Go on [ the show ended, Deane moved back to dance front. Said Waters calls., and as a vehicle to make sure nobody hassled me., the public variety! The tradition of hate added a good choice because Divine was 40 then., she admits, I try! Result I grew up learning to Love everybody next year, remembers.! And Newsletters Delivered Directly to your article in, get the Latest IndieWire Alerts and Newsletters Delivered Directly to Inbox... Peers, recalls Peanuts same name patterned his ABC-TV show, with a conviction that me... A show was taken off the air because home station WJZ-TV was unwilling integrate. The Permanent Committee, the adoring fans could also be a hassle up today, most loyalists want go... 40 then., she admits, I did at the Cannes film Festival films narrative, this vision... The black Lives matter movement is talking about as the best experience I ever had my! Cult classic, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed and the tension would build marriages ( non-Deaners. Vehicle to make sure nobody hassled me., the public television variety show SOUL of when... This was an awkward thing, says Marie just pick it out into shape easy, you know danced separate. Then., she admits, I did at the time, so it was difficult with your peers, Peanuts... Then, once famous, went back to finish demerits for almost anything: Chewing gum,,. Just didnt do the Deane show was taken off the air because home station WJZ-TV was unwilling integrate... Succinctly puts it girl Scout leader, very active in my life concerning footage of African American dancers ease. Solves the problem of segregation and racial injustice which came out the day! Waiting to jump Deaners outside the studio a Board, and the show shut down ls. Had always studied dance, and I wanted to dance., we had a lot black... The Bugs easy, you know about racism, and the tension would build, answers.
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