Film: The Great Debaters

This 1930's era film produced by Oprah Winfrey, and is based on a true story is about Texas' Wiley College Professor Melvin B. Tolson's black debate team, and is eventual challenge of Harvard in the National Championship, is set to be released on Christmas day and should be a good one, as my favorite actor Denzel Washington will be directing and starring in it. The film was written by Robert Eisele.

Remember little Jurnee Smollett? She is a grown woman now doing much in AIDS charity work, and she stars in this film. This man is sure to grab another Oscar this winter. Part of the filming was done here, locally, at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as I remember when Denzel came to town, there were reportings of Denzel sightings about the place.

The local news did a segment on the set where they showed an audience set up. The audience was fake---all dummies propped up in chairs. So I will be sure to look for the dummies in the the crowded debate scenes where there is an audience in the auditorium. Mr. Washington continues to trailblaze, burnin' up that path. Go Denzel!

Follow the jump to watch the movie trailer, get more information on Melvin Beaunorus Tolson's poetic work, bio, and photograph.