Blue Too - ACE405.2

Illustrations from Little Black Sambo (1899). Jane Goddard, holding golliwog, as character describing how her teacher talked about having "a little piccaninny" in class. Peter Harvey reciting poem about school. Examination room; teacher’s voice over "yours is the generation that never listens … no guts … no backbone … I’ll continue to use this cane … ". Goddard as teacher berating pupil (Harvey) for not trying hard enough and he replies that it’s not his history or his culture. Peter Harvey as "Sambo", a young man concerned about his identity – home is the West Indies, home is London, "we’re still travelling". "The worst thing in life is being poor, black and smart, because after a while you realise that there are some things that you’ll never ever have unless you take them." Film of London streets, West Indian beaches, black immigrants, street-sweepers, burning buildings and cars, illustrate his words. Goddard with golliwog. Animated Little Black Sambo "going for a walk in the jungle to find out what life is really all about". Larrington Walker as Sambo’s father, giving advice to his son about leaving home. Multi images of black people working – nurses, etc. – superimposed. "There’s more than one way to travel, and sometimes the way is closer than you think. … Be careful of them tigers." Narrator (Walker) tells how Sambo embarks on "a Ulyssean journey across the world". Meets friend, Mike (Simon Parker), in the park and discusses ideas for the future. Sambo goes to buy himself some "serious walking boots" and is then stopped by the police. Goddard wonders if "Mr Plod and his friend" "just don’t like black people". In the police station. Policeman (Ian Convery) interrogates Sambo about the knife he’s carrying. Animated and processed sequences of a party Sambo was at. Policeman (Ralph Jeffries) prepares to give Sambo a strip-search. Walker telling how Sambo, brought in "on suss", was released a few hours later without charge, and how his friend, Mike, had gone to the police station and argued on Sambo’s behalf. Animated sequence alongside illustrating the same events. Mike and Sambo discuss the future, getting work. Walker (VO) explains that Sambo gets a place at Smithfield meat market but is given a pointless job to do, to the amusement of his employer (Convery) and his friends. Goddard (VO) telling how Sambo got angry and attacked his employer.