Author & Activist Sam Greenlee Comes to Philadelphia
His movie changed Black people,  and cinema forever
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In 1973, a new kind of movie and message hit the screen that shocked
the nation and changed Black people, and cinema forever. Spike Lee, and Cornell West make room for this 'controversial' orator and long time civil rights legend.

Black author, activist, poet and playwright Sam Greenlee comes to Philadelphia this weekend to talk about his earth shattering, before-its-time book and movie "The Spook Who sat by the Door".

Author and playwright Sam Greenlee has never backed down, slowed
down, nor sold out. More than 30 years after his controversial film hit the big screen and vanished almost as quickly, Greenlee still has a message to share with his listeners and those who may not have heard before.

This Saturday, August 26 is your opportunity to see the film, and then hear the man behind the controversy. A viewing of the film will be first up for a "love donation"  at The Mantis School located at 4522 Baltimore Avenue in West Philadelphia. Advance Tickets are $15.00 ($20.00 at the door) for the 'talk' with Greenlee later at 7:30 PM at the school.

Over the course of his career, Greenlee has been a novelist, poet,
screenwriter, journalist, teacher and talk show host. Born in Chicago
on July 13, 1930, he attended Chicago public schools. At age fifteen,
Greenlee participated in his first sit-in and walked in his first picket line.
His social activism continues to this day.

In 1952, Elder Greenlee received his B.S. in political science from
the University of Wisconsin and the following year he attended law
school. Deciding against a law career, he transferred to the University of Chicago,
studying international relations from 1954 to 1957. In 1957, he began a seven-
year career with the U.S. Information Agency as a foreign services officer,
serving in Iraq, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Greece, and in 1958 he was awarded the
Meritorious Service Award for bravery during the Baghdad revolution.

Elder Greenlee's first and most well known novel, The Spook Who Sat
by the Door, was published in 1968. This prize-winning novel quickly became
an underground favorite for its fictionalization of an urban-based war
for African American liberation. Elder Greenlee co-wrote a screenplay adaptation
of the novel, and in 1973 The Spook Who Sat by the Door was released on film. The
film was an overnight success when it was released but was unexpectedly taken out
of distribution.

Sam Greenlee has written numerous novels, stage plays, screenplays
and poems. He moved back to Chicago after several years of voluntary
exile in Spain and West Africa and is hosted a radio talk show program. He is
presently working on his autobiography.

For tickets, vending or other information call: 267-299-6424 or e-mail:   BlacxPhilly@...  "The Spook That Sat By The Door" film presentation

Books and DVD's will be available for signing at the evening event.

Sponsored By: Blacx Philly, The Black Women's Defense League  and
The Million Woman March Organization of PA

A Black August "Philly Style" Production.

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