William Bashler’s 1973 novel The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings is loosely based on real players and incidents and was voted in 2002 as one of the greatest books about sport of all time by Sports Illustrated magazine. Bringing together its own all-star African-American cast the 1976 film version, from Berry Gordy’s Motown Productions remains a classic comedy of the #BlackStar canon.

The first theatrical feature of director John Badham – Saturday Night Fever (1977), WarGames (1983) – stars Billy Dee Williams as Bingo Long, optimistic showman playing ball in the “Negro Leagues” of the segregated America of the 1930s. Considering the owners of the Negro League clubs no better than their white counterparts, Bingo assembles a breakaway team of rogue players, including James Earl Jones, DeWayne Jessie and Richard Pryor as Charlie Snow, a player determined to break into the white Major Leagues posing as a Cuban.

Heading out on a barnstorming tour of the American Mid-West, Bingo and his team of all-stars attract the attention of both the white and black leagues alike, and go on to challenge the colour barrier in American Baseball.

Screening as part of The Celluloid Sorceress’ cross-venue retrospective of its director, The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings is a hilarious and enlightening story rarely seen, and shown here from a rare 35mm film print with introduction by Rebecca Nicole Williams.

Doors open at 15.00, for a 15.30 start.

Refreshments will be available in our licensed cafe/bar.