Today's flick is The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings. Released in 1976, it stars
Set in 1939, Bingo Long (Williams) is a pitcher for the St Louis team of the Negro National League. He is tired of playing for his autocratic owner and decides to set up his own team. He poaches stars from other teams including Leon Carter (Jones) and hits the road with his squad.
Early on they go town to town playing local black teams. Pressure from the Negro League owners on the local teams begins to take away potential opponents, so the All-Stars begin playing against white teams. At the same time they begin to clown things up, ala the Globetrotters.
The Negro League owners turn up the pressure and one of the All-Stars ends up getting stabbed. Things continue to get worse as they run out of money and lose one of their cars.
The movie climaxes with a winner take all game against an All Star team from the Negro League. You'll have to watch the movie to see who wins.
It's a very enjoyable movie. The baseball is pretty authentic and old stadium in the south were used as locations, adding visual accuracy.
Hey, I suggested this one! Glad you enjoyed it!
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