FLASH FRIDAY: A Geoffrey Holder Celebration - THE WIZ, ANNIE, 7UP, James Bond & Beyond

By: Pat Cerasaro Oct. 10, 2014

Today we celebrate the life and career of Tony Award-winning director, choreographer, actor and artist Geoffrey Holder in honor of his death this week at the age of 84.

He's The Wiz
Exploring a dizzying and awe-inspiring array of artistic endeavors over the course of his 60-year career, Geoffrey Holder was a true original in the entertainment realm. As history would have it, in 1952, legendary choreographer Agnes De Mille witnessed Holder performing in his native country of Trinidad and brought him to the United States, where he began teaching at The Katherine Dunham School Of Dance, following in the footsteps of his Tony Award-winning brother, Boscoe, who was already established as a director in New York. Shortly thereafter, Holder joined the Metropolitan Opera Ballet as a featured dancer, which he soon followed up with his Broadway debut in the short-lived but glowingly remembered musical HOUSE OF FLOWERS, featuring music by Harold Arlen, with book and lyrics by Truman Capote. Then, Holder bookended his Broadway debut with an all-black production of Samuel Beckett's WAITING FOR GODOT in 1957. While Holder would return to his first love of dance and the universe of live performance, the world at large was introduced to him byway of his countless onscreen appearances in the ensuing years, ranging from serious dramas to mainstream action films to crowd-pleasing comedies, children's films, memorable TV ads and far beyond.

Holder's first film appearance was in ALL NIGHT LONG, director Basil Dearden's reworking of William Shakespeare's OTHELLO, followed by another modern British cinematic classic in the guise of DOCTOR DOLITTLE, in which Holder essayed the role of a character ironically named Willie Shakespeare. Holder's next major film appearance would be in the hit Woody Allen comedy EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SEX in 1972. The year after that, Holder created what many may cite as one of his most iconic roles in his long and distinguished career, that of the villainous Baron Samedi in the James Bond franchise entry LIVE AND LET DIE, where he utilized his extensive dance background to add choreographic flourishes to the film.
Besides THE WIZ, perhaps the most ubiquitous and recognizable of all the properties in Holder's vast resume are his many commercials as the pitchman for soft drink 7UP, "The Uncola", which he headlined throughout the 1970s and 1980s, beginning prior to his appearance in LIVE AND LET DIE in 1973. Nevertheless, Holder's elemental involvement in the unique R&B/soul re-imagining of THE WIZARD OF OZ as THE WIZ is what many will remember him for throughout history - and, justifiably so. As the story goes, Holder was brought in by producer Ken Harper while the show was suffering from a disastrous out of town tryout in Detroit and significantly reworked and redesigned by Holder, who, in addition to taking over directing duties also designed new costumes for the idiosyncratic theatrical enterprise. Holder was richly rewarded for his efforts, taking home Best Director Of A Musical as well as Best Costume Design Tony Awards in 1975, along with THE WIZ winning Best Musical. Unfortunately, Holder's next and last Broadway bow would not prove as fortuitous - the troubled TIMBUKTU!, starring Eartha Kitt.

After conquering Broadway, Holder continued to act in films - appearing in John Huston's stage-to-screen adaptation of ANNIE as well as making later career appearances in BOOMERANG opposite Eddie Murphy and narrating Tim Burton's CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY - while also returning to the world of dance, creating pieces for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Dance Theater Of Harlem. As if all of his entertainment pursuits were not enough, Holder also found the time to publish GEOFFREY HOLDER'S CARIBBEAN COOKBOOK in the 1970s, coming after a 1959 tome of Trinidad folklore titled BLACK GODS, GREEN ISLANDS, co-written with Tom Harshman. Additionally, Holder was a renown painter, having created portraits of numerous 20th century icons, as well.
Dancer, director, actor, designer, author, artist, humanitarian - Geoffrey Holder was a true iconoclast and one of the most uniquely compelling and versatile entertainment personalities of the 20th and 21st century. To cite a recognizable song title from TIMBUKTU!, he was a stranger in paradise, but made himself at home.

Stranger In Paradise
Now, let's take a look at some of the highlights from Geoffrey Holder's exceptional life and career.
First, see where it all began with this striking vintage footage of Holder performing in 1956.
One of Holder's first New York roles was in HOUSE OF FLOWERS, starring Pearl Bailey and Diahann Carroll.
View the trailer for DOCTOR DOLITTLE, featuring Geoffrey Holder opposite Rex Harrison.
Next, watch the complete 1975 Tony Awards where THE WIZ was the big winner of the night.
Now, see Geoffrey Holder accept his award for Best Director for THE WIZ.
Check out Holder's work for the Dance Theater Of Harlem.
Don't miss this quartet of Holder's classic 7UP commercials from the 1970s and 1980s.
After that, see Holder in the James Bond classic LIVE AND LET DIE.
Spot Holder as Punjab in John Huston's film version of ANNIE.

Holder holds his own with Eddie Murphy and many more in BOOMERANG.
A whole new generation knows Holder's talents thanks to CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY.
Lastly, Holder himself tells his life story in his autobiographical solo show SIMPLY MARVELOUS at Joe's Pub.
As a special bonus, witness Holder's best advice to young people: "Ask questions."
So, what is the most memorable property of all for you personally from the many artist endeavors pursued by Geoffrey Holder over his long and colorful career? Furthermore, what is your favorite performance of his out of them all? With such a wide range of talents and noted versatility both in the spotlight and behind the scenes, the possibilities for what was achievable by this artistic icon were unquestionably endless.

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