Unsung Hollywood Season 1 Episode 6 Cooley High

In season 1, episode 6 of Unsung Hollywood, the focus is on the groundbreaking film Cooley High. Released in 1975, Cooley High was a coming-of-age story set in the Cabrini-Green housing projects of Chicago in the 1960s. The film was directed by Michael Schultz and starred Glynn Turman, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, and Garrett Morris.

The episode dives into the making of Cooley High, highlighting the challenges faced by the cast and crew during production. The film was shot on location in the Cabrini-Green projects, which meant that the cast and crew had to deal with the dangers and hardships of the area. In addition, many of the actors were inexperienced and had to overcome nerves and insecurity to give their best performances.

The episode also explores the impact that Cooley High had on cinema and on black culture. The film was one of the first to show the lives of black teenagers in an honest and authentic way, and it paved the way for future films in the genre. It also showcased the talent of black actors and filmmakers, who had previously been largely ignored by Hollywood.

To give audiences a better understanding of the context in which Cooley High was made, the episode includes interviews with some of the cast and crew members, as well as with experts on black cinema. They discuss the importance of the film, and how it reflected the realities of life for black Americans at the time.

Overall, Unsung Hollywood season 1, episode 6 is a must-watch for fans of Cooley High, and for anyone interested in the history of black cinema. It offers a fascinating look at the making of this groundbreaking film, and at the impact that it had on popular culture.