The Ernest Green Story: Difference between revisions

*The Ernest Green Story*
The Ernest Green Story
	Movie cover
Genre	Drama
Written by	Lawrence Roman
Directed by	Eric Laneuville
Starring	Morris Chestnut; Monica Calhoun; Ossie Davis; Ruby Dee; Avery Brooks; CCH Pounder; Omar Gooding; Gary Grubbs; James Harper; Tina Lifford;
Music by	Mason Daring
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Executive producers	Carol Abrams; Adrienne Levin
Producer	Jean Higgins
Production location	Little Rock, Arkansas
Cinematography	Félix Enríquez Alcalá
Editor	Jeff Freeman
Running time	101 minutes
Production company	Walt Disney Television
Original release
Network	Disney Channel
Release	January 17, 1993

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The Ernest Green Story is a 1993 American made-for-television biographical film which follows the true story of Ernest Green (Morris Chestnut) and eight other African-American high-school students (dubbed the "Little Rock Nine") as they embark on their historic journey to integrate Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. The film was developed and executive produced by Carol Ann Abrams.^[1] Much of the movie was filmed on location at Central High School.

The film had its world premiere at Little Rock Central High School, with an introduction by President-Elect of the United States Bill Clinton.^[1] It aired on the Disney Channel on January 17, 1993. Later that year, A.M.L. Productions and the Disney Channel received a Peabody Award for presenting "a story which reminds adults and teaches children about the courageous steps taken toward the elimination of discrimination in American society".^[1]^[2]

Plot

The movie begins with Ernest Green explaining how every morning on his ride to Horace Mann, the school for African-Americans, he would pass Little Rock Central High School, which would soon open its doors to nine African-American students. After the opening credits, the scene cuts to the office of the Governor of Arkansas, Orval Faubus, where he talks to the Reverend of the local white church about how he refuses to integrate the school because he believes integration is a state's right.

Meanwhile, in Ernest's neighborhood, his best friend, Marcus explains how Ernest can change the world by becoming class president at the recently integrated Central High. Ernest, who is worried about what may happen to him if he attends Central High, reminds Marcus of Crispus Attucks' story, telling him, "the first to defy is the first to die." Marcus persuades Ernest to attend the school by mentioning the school's luxurious facilities, including the lab, marveling at what discoveries George Washington Carver could have made in it. At dinner, Ernest's whole family, including his wise grandfather, support his decision and vow to stand by him whatever happens. Meanwhile, Governor Faubus vows to stop integration at Central High.

Ernest meets the other eight students who would, with him, become the Little Rock Nine, along with NAACP member Daisy Bates. They explain that many of their parents were concerned with their decision. They meet the principal and counselors of Central High. Ernest turns out to be the only senior and is therefore seen as a natural leader by Bates and the other members of the Little Rock Nine. The principal tells the Nine they are restricted from participating in any extracurricular activities, the first of many hardships they face at Central High. When Ernest gets home, his elderly neighbor is concerned about the negative attention he will receive at Central High after seeing him in the newspaper. Ernest's grandfather reminds her that Ernest is making a bold move to change the world and she should be happy about that.

On Ernest's first day at Central High, his family is very worried about him. The National Guard is in front of the school to keep the Little Rock Nine safe from the protesters outside. He and seven of the new African-American students are escorted to the school in a police car. But Elizabeth Eckford does not get the message, so she walks to school and gets physically beaten and called names by the mob outside. Soon after, she is escorted home on a bus. Later, the other Black students are denied entry by the National Guard, and turn back home. Bates hires attorney Thurgood Marshall to justify the Nine's right to attend Central High School. The Nine learn at home for the first three weeks of school, their assignments given to them by Bates. When Ernest and the other students are allowed back into Central High, Ernest's physics teacher, Mr. Loomis, treats him unfairly, disbelieving Ernest when he tries to tell his side of the story after conflicts with his white peers, and disbelieving that Ernest can be good at physics.

Despite harsh mistreatment, the Little Rock Nine continue to attend Central High School. Ernest makes friends with a white girl who shares his interest in jazz, but his grandfather forbids them from interacting, reminding Ernest of the story of Emmett Till. Ernest bumps into a prejudiced white girl, Charlene, and gets sent to the principal's office after she accuses him of trying to flirt with her. The white students continue to torment the Little Rock Nine, stealing Ernest's physics notes that he needs to pass his midterm exams. Despite his best efforts, Mr. Loomis gives him a failing grade in physics because Mr. Loomis believes Black people cannot be good at physics. Ernest's grandfather reminds him that he has the power to show Mr. Loomis that Ernest is more than his race.

Ernest's brother Scott runs off in the middle of the night to protect the streets from violence because he is scared of what is happening to Ernest and the other African-American students. Ernest tells him that Scott has got to be brave in order to stop the effects of hate.

The harsh treatment becomes more intense. Ernest gets cut on glass in the showers, Minnijean Brown, another African-American student, gets called names, and Elizabeth Eckford is knocked down the stairs. Minnijean stands up to the principal and gets expelled, Elizabeth breaks down, and Earnest tackles a bully and gets suspended because nobody believes he was acting in self-defense.

After a long battle for acceptance, the school year ends well for Ernest. He finally passes physics, having shown Mr. Loomis that he can excel at physics despite his race, and he graduates in the spring of 1958, despite criticism from white society. Overjoyed, his grandfather proudly takes pictures of him.

In the epilogue, Ernest notes that Little Rock Central High closed after he graduated to prevent further racial integration. He adds that he went on to work for the NAACP.

Cast

Morris Chestnut as Ernest Green
CCH Pounder as Daisy Bates
Gary Grubbs as Mr. Loomis
Tina Lifford as Mrs. Green
Avery Brooks as Rev. Lawson
Ruby Dee as Mrs. Lydia Wilson
Brian Stokes Mitchell as Thurgood Marshall
Omar Gooding as Marcus
James Harper as Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus
Wayne Tippit as Principal Matthews
Monica Calhoun as Minnijean Brown
Suli McCullough as Terrence Roberts
Lisa Marie Russell as Elizabeth Eckford
Tico Wells as Jefferson Thomas
Jacqueline Ann Shaw as Thelma Mothershed
Jason Pratt as Scott Green
Ossie Davis as Grandfather
Francis Kemp as Grace Lorch
Anitra Lovelace as Gloria Ray
Sean Serino as Carlotta Walls
Toya Stokes as Melba Pattillo
Narrated by Ernest Green

Reception

The movie generally gained positive reception from viewers. It is often shown in schools to teach students about the Little Rock Nine.^[3] In an interview given by young reporters from Arkansas, Ernest Green explained that the movie portrayed his year at Central High very accurately, highlighting the highs and lows of that year and bringing to light the most challenging and triumphant parts.^[4]

Notes

The original version of the movie includes gospel singer Mahalia Jackson's well-known rendition of the song, Take My Hand, Precious Lord. A subsequent version replaces the song with the hymn, It Is Well with My Soul.
Throughout the movie, the characters reference several African-American historical figures, like Crispus Attucks, George Washington Carver, and Rosa Parks, highlighting the determination these figures took to fight for equality, just like Ernest.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Carol Ann Abrams dies, Producer, author was mother of J. J. Abrams". Variety. 2012-06-05. Retrieved 2012-06-06.
^ Peabody Awards website Accessed February 1, 2009.
^ [Cliffsnotes Study Guides: Book Summaries, Test Preparation & Homework Help: Written by Teachers.” CliffsNotes. https://www.cliffsnotes.com/] Accessed May 23, 2024.
^ [Special section--the little rock nine--ernest green. https://www.sbmsteenpress.org/TP-yeswecan/5-lr9-green.html] Accessed May 23, 2024.

External links

The Ernest Green Story at IMDb
‹The template AllMovie title is being considered for deletion.› The Ernest Green Story at AllMovie

This civil rights movement–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[variety-1] "Carol Ann Abrams dies, Producer, author was mother of J. J. Abrams". Variety. 2012-06-05. Retrieved 2012-06-06.

[2] Peabody Awards website Accessed February 1, 2009.

[3] [Cliffsnotes Study Guides: Book Summaries, Test Preparation & Homework Help: Written by Teachers.” CliffsNotes. https://www.cliffsnotes.com/] Accessed May 23, 2024.

[4] [Special section--the little rock nine--ernest green. https://www.sbmsteenpress.org/TP-yeswecan/5-lr9-green.html] Accessed May 23, 2024.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|1993 television film directed by Eric Laneuville}}
 {{Infobox television
+| image              = The ernest green story cover.jpg
-| name =  The Ernest Green Story
-| image = The ernest green story cover.jpg
+| caption            = Movie cover
+| genre              = Drama
-| caption = Movie cover
+| writer             = Lawrence Roman
-| genre = Drama
+| director           = [[Eric Laneuville]]
-| writer = Lawrence Roman
-| director = [[Eric Laneuville]]
 | executive_producer = [[Carol Ann Abrams|Carol Abrams]]<br>Adrienne Levin
-| producer = [[Jean Higgins]]
+| producer           = [[Jean Higgins]]
-| starring = [[Morris Chestnut]]<br>[[Monica Calhoun]]<br>[[Ossie Davis]]<br>[[Ruby Dee]]<br>[[Omar Gooding]]<br>[[Gary Grubbs]]<br>[[James Harper (actor)|James Harper]]<br>[[Tina Lifford]]<br>[[CCH Pounder]]
+| starring           = [[Morris Chestnut]]<br>[[Monica Calhoun]]<br>[[Ossie Davis]]<br>[[Ruby Dee]]<br>[[Avery Brooks]]<br>[[CCH Pounder]]<br>[[Omar Gooding]]<br>[[Gary Grubbs]]<br>[[James Harper (actor)|James Harper]]<br>[[Tina Lifford]]<br>
-| cinematography = [[Félix Enríquez Alcalá]]
+| cinematography     = [[Félix Enríquez Alcalá]]
-| editor = Jeff Freeman
+| editor             = Jeff Freeman
-| music = [[Mason Daring]]
+| music              = [[Mason Daring]]
-| location = [[Little Rock, Arkansas]]
+| location           = [[Little Rock, Arkansas]]
-| company = [[Walt Disney Television]]
+| company            = [[Walt Disney Television]]
+| network            = [[Disney Channel]]
-| distributor = [[Buena Vista Distribution]]
+| released           = {{Start date|1993|01|17}}
-| network = [[Disney Channel]]
+| runtime            = 101 minutes
-| released = {{Film date|1993|01|17|TV=y}}
+| country            = United States
-| runtime = 101 minutes
+| language           = English
-| country = United States
+| budget             =
-| language = [[English language|English]]
-| budget =
 }}
-'''''The Ernest Green Story''''' is a 1993 [[made-for-television]] movie which follows the true story of [[Ernest Green]] ([[Morris Chestnut]]) and eight other [[African-American]] high-school students (dubbed the "[[Little Rock Nine]]") as they embark on their historic journey to integrate [[Little Rock Central High School]] in [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]], [[Arkansas]], in 1957. The film was developed and executive produced by [[Carol Ann Abrams]].<ref name=variety>{{cite news|first=|last=|title=Carol Ann Abrams dies, Producer, author was mother of J. J. Abrams |url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118055047 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=|date=2012-06-05 |accessdate=2012-06-06}}</ref> Much of the movie was filmed on location at Central High School.
+'''''The Ernest Green Story''''' is a 1993 American [[television film|made-for-television]] [[biographical film]] which follows the true story of [[Ernest Green]] ([[Morris Chestnut]]) and eight other [[African-American]] high-school students (dubbed the "[[Little Rock Nine]]") as they embark on their historic journey to integrate [[Little Rock Central High School]] in [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]], [[Arkansas]], in 1957. The film was developed and executive produced by [[Carol Ann Abrams]].<ref name=variety>{{cite news|title=Carol Ann Abrams dies, Producer, author was mother of J. J. Abrams |url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118055047 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=2012-06-05 |accessdate=2012-06-06}}</ref> Much of the movie was filmed on location at Central High School.
 The film had its world premiere at Little Rock Central High School, with an introduction by [[President of the United States|President-Elect of the United States]] [[Bill Clinton]].<ref name=variety/> It aired on the [[Disney Channel]] on January 17, 1993. Later that year,  A.M.L. Productions and the Disney Channel received a [[Peabody Award]] for presenting "a story which reminds adults and teaches children about the courageous steps taken toward the elimination of discrimination in American society".<ref name=variety/><ref>[http://www.peabody.uga.edu/winners/details.php?id=258 Peabody Awards website] Accessed February 1, 2009.</ref>
+==Plot==
+The movie begins with [[Ernest Green]] explaining how every morning on his ride to [[Horace Mann]], the school for African-Americans, he would pass [[Little Rock Central High School]], which would soon open its doors to nine African-American students. After the opening credits, the scene cuts to the office of the Governor of Arkansas, [[Orval Faubus]], where he talks to the Reverend of the local white church about how he refuses to integrate the school because he believes integration is a state's right.
+Meanwhile, in Ernest's neighborhood, his best friend, Marcus explains how Ernest can change the world by becoming class president at the recently integrated Central High. Ernest, who is worried about what may happen to him if he attends Central High, reminds Marcus of [[Crispus Attucks]]' story, telling him, "the first to defy is the first to die." Marcus persuades Ernest to attend the school by mentioning the school's luxurious facilities, including the lab, marveling at what discoveries [[George Washington Carver]] could have made in it. At dinner, Ernest's whole family, including his wise grandfather, support his decision and vow to stand by him whatever happens. Meanwhile, Governor Faubus vows to stop integration at Central High.
+Ernest meets the other eight students who would, with him, become the [[Little Rock Nine]], along with [[NAACP]] member [[Daisy Bates (civil rights activist)|Daisy Bates]]. They explain that many of their parents were concerned with their decision. They meet the principal and counselors of Central High. Ernest turns out to be the only senior and is therefore seen as a natural leader by Bates and the other members of the Little Rock Nine. The principal tells the Nine they are restricted from participating in any extracurricular activities, the first of many hardships they face at Central High. When Ernest gets home, his elderly neighbor is concerned about the negative attention he will receive at Central High after seeing him in the newspaper. Ernest's grandfather reminds her that Ernest is making a bold move to change the world and she should be happy about that.
+On Ernest's first day at Central High, his family is very worried about him. The National Guard is in front of the school to keep the Little Rock Nine safe from the protesters outside. He and seven of the new African-American students are escorted to the school in a police car. But [[Elizabeth Eckford]] does not get the message, so she walks to school and gets physically beaten and called names by the mob outside. Soon after, she is escorted home on a bus. Later, the other Black students are denied entry by the National Guard, and turn back home. Bates hires attorney [[Thurgood Marshall]] to justify the Nine's right to attend Central High School. The Nine learn at home for the first three weeks of school, their assignments given to them by Bates. When Ernest and the other students are allowed back into Central High, Ernest's physics teacher, Mr. Loomis, treats him unfairly, disbelieving Ernest when he tries to tell his side of the story after conflicts with his white peers, and disbelieving that Ernest can be good at physics.
+Despite harsh mistreatment, the Little Rock Nine continue to attend Central High School. Ernest makes friends with a white girl who shares his interest in jazz, but his grandfather forbids them from interacting, reminding Ernest of the story of [[Emmett Till]]. Ernest bumps into a prejudiced white girl, Charlene, and gets sent to the principal's office after she accuses him of trying to flirt with her. The white students continue to torment the Little Rock Nine, stealing Ernest's physics notes that he needs to pass his midterm exams. Despite his best efforts, Mr. Loomis gives him a failing grade in physics because Mr. Loomis believes Black people cannot be good at physics. Ernest's grandfather reminds him that he has the power to show Mr. Loomis that Ernest is more than his race.
+Ernest's brother Scott runs off in the middle of the night to protect the streets from violence because he is scared of what is happening to Ernest and the other African-American students. Ernest tells him that Scott has got to be brave in order to stop the effects of hate.
+The harsh treatment becomes more intense. Ernest gets cut on glass in the showers, [[Minnijean Brown-Trickey|Minnijean Brown]], another African-American student, gets called names, and Elizabeth Eckford is knocked down the stairs. Minnijean stands up to the principal and gets expelled, Elizabeth breaks down, and Earnest tackles a bully and gets suspended because nobody believes he was acting in self-defense.
+After a long battle for acceptance, the school year ends well for Ernest. He finally passes physics, having shown Mr. Loomis that he can excel at physics despite his race, and he graduates in the spring of 1958, despite criticism from white society. Overjoyed, his grandfather proudly takes pictures of him.
+In the epilogue, Ernest notes that Little Rock Central High closed after he graduated to prevent further racial integration. He adds that he went on to work for the NAACP.
 ==Cast==
 {{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
 *[[Morris Chestnut]] as [[Ernest Green]]
+*[[CCH Pounder]] as [[Daisy Bates (civil rights activist)|Daisy Bates]]
-*Robert Alexander as Lionel
-*Katherine Bernhardt as Mrs. Gaines
+*[[Gary Grubbs]] as Mr. Loomis
+*[[Tina Lifford]] as Mrs. Green
-*Sarah Boss as Rhonda
 *[[Avery Brooks]] as Rev. Lawson
-*[[Monica Calhoun]] as [[Minnijean Brown-Trickey|Minnijean Brown]]
-*Missy Crider as Charlene Talbot
-*[[Ossie Davis]] as Grandfather
 *[[Ruby Dee]] as Mrs. Lydia Wilson
+*[[Brian Stokes Mitchell]] as [[Thurgood Marshall]]
-*Brandon Eells as Physics Student
-*Latrice Butts as Student
 *[[Omar Gooding]] as Marcus
-*[[Gary Grubbs]] as Mr. Loomis
 *[[James Harper (actor)|James Harper]] as Arkansas Governor [[Orval Faubus]]
+*[[Wayne Tippit]] as Principal Matthews
-*John Hickman as Mr. Prior
+*[[Monica Calhoun]] as [[Minnijean Brown-Trickey|Minnijean Brown]]
-*Harry Hood as TV Reporter
-*Mark W. Johnson as Emmett Moody
-*Francis Kemp as [[Grace Lorch]]
-*Lisa Lax as Woman #1
-*[[Jerry Leggio]] as Little Rock Mayor Woodrow Wilson Mann
-*[[Dennis Letts]] as Georgia Governor [[Marvin Griffin]]
-*[[Tina Lifford]] as Mrs. Green
-*Anitra Lovelace as [[Gloria Ray]]
 *[[Suli McCullough]] as [[Terrence Roberts]]
-*[[Brian Stokes Mitchell]] as [[Thurgood Marshall]]
-*Moses Peace as Minnijean's Father
-*[[CCH Pounder]] as [[Daisy Bates (civil rights activist)|Daisy Bates]]
-*Jason Pratt as Scott Green
 *Lisa Marie Russell as [[Elizabeth Eckford]]
+*[[Tico Wells]] as [[Jefferson Thomas]]
-*Tommy Sanders as Smiley
-*Sean Serino as [[Carlotta Walls LaNier|Carlotta Walls]]
 *Jacqueline Ann Shaw as [[Thelma Mothershed-Wair|Thelma Mothershed]]
-*[[Sonny Shroyer]] as Coach Snell
+*Jason Pratt as Scott Green
+*[[Ossie Davis]] as Grandfather
+*Francis Kemp as [[Grace Lorch]]
+*Anitra Lovelace as [[Gloria Ray]]
+*Sean Serino as [[Carlotta Walls LaNier|Carlotta Walls]]
 *Toya Stokes as [[Melba Pattillo Beals|Melba Pattillo]]
+*Narrated by Ernest Green
-*Tim Taylor as Newspaper Reporter
-*[[Tico Wells]] as [[Jefferson Thomas]]
-*John Boyd West as Starkey
-*Narrated by [[Ernest Green]]
 }}
+==Reception==
+The movie generally gained positive reception from viewers. It is often shown in schools to teach students about the [[Little Rock Nine]].<ref>[Cliffsnotes Study Guides: Book Summaries, Test Preparation & Homework Help: Written by Teachers.” CliffsNotes. https://www.cliffsnotes.com/] Accessed May 23, 2024.</ref>
+In an interview given by young reporters from Arkansas, Ernest Green explained that the movie portrayed his year at Central High very accurately, highlighting the highs and lows of that year and bringing to light the most challenging and triumphant parts.<ref>[Special section--the little rock nine--ernest green. https://www.sbmsteenpress.org/TP-yeswecan/5-lr9-green.html] Accessed May 23, 2024.</ref>
 ==See also==
@@ Line 75: / Line 81: @@
 ==Notes==
 * The original version of the movie includes gospel singer [[Mahalia Jackson]]'s well-known rendition of the song, ''[[Take My Hand, Precious Lord]]''. A subsequent version replaces the song with the hymn, ''[[It Is Well with My Soul]]''.
+* Throughout the movie, the characters reference several [[African-American]] historical figures, like [[Crispus Attucks]], [[George Washington Carver]], and [[Rosa Parks]], highlighting the determination these figures took to fight for equality, just like Ernest.
 ==References==
@@ Line 81: / Line 88: @@
 ==External links==
 * {{IMDb title|0106826}}
-* {{Amg movie|80995|The Ernest Green Story}}
+* {{AllMovie title|80995|The Ernest Green Story}}
 {{Disney Channel Movies}}
@@ Line 87: / Line 94: @@
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Ernest Green Story, The}}
-[[Category:Peabody Award-winning broadcasts]]
+[[Category:Peabody Award–winning broadcasts]]
 [[Category:Little Rock Nine|G]]
 [[Category:American television films]]
 [[Category:African-American films]]
-[[Category:English-language films]]
 [[Category:Disney Channel original films]]
 [[Category:American political drama films]]
-[[Category:American films]]
 [[Category:Films about race and ethnicity]]
-[[Category:Films based on actual events]]
+[[Category:American films based on actual events]]
-[[Category:Films set in Arkansas]]
+[[Category:Films set in Little Rock, Arkansas]]
+[[Category:Films shot in Arkansas]]
 [[Category:Films set in the 1950s]]
 [[Category:Films set in 1957]]
@@ Line 104: / Line 110: @@
 [[Category:Civil rights movement in television]]
 [[Category:1993 television films]]
+[[Category:1993 films]]
 [[Category:Films directed by Eric Laneuville]]
+[[Category:Films scored by Mason Daring]]
+[[Category:1990s English-language films]]
+[[Category:1990s American films]]
+{{civil-rights-movement-stub}}

v t e Disney Channel Premiere Films
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1990s	Lantern Hill (1990) Chips, the War Dog (1990) Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme (1990) Back Home (1989) The Little Kidnappers (1990) Back to Hannibal: The Return of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn (1990) Bejewelled (1991) Perfect Harmony (1991) Mark Twain and Me (1991) Still Not Quite Human (1992) The Ernest Green Story (1993) Spies (1993) Heidi (1993) On Promised Land (1994) Prince Brat and the Whipping Boy (1994) The Old Curiosity Shop (1995) Escape to Witch Mountain (1995) The Four Diamonds (1995) The Little Riders (1996) Nightjohn (1996) Susie Q (1996) Wish Upon a Star (1996) The Paper Brigade (1997) Northern Lights (1997)