Sunday, 23 September 2012

MEETING HARRY BELAFONTE

In the 1950s and 1960s Harry Belafonte was a ubiquitous presence. My
mother played his records, as did Mrs. Wolfson in Grade Seven Friday
afternoon art class at school. He was a frequent guest on the many
variety television shows and was in some movies.

When he came to do a concert in Montreal we would go and see it, and
one time I arranged for us to go backstage after the show to meet him.
He signed some original lobby card photos from his films and signed
the program of the concert with a dedication to my mother. He signed
it on the photo of him shirtless in the book, with the added notation
“Thanks for Napoleon!” There was a province-wide liquor strike on at
the time and cars were even being searched arriving from other
provinces. My mother thought he'd like some Napoleon brandy and
brought along a new bottle for him.

Both as a performer and civil rights activist, he was always
appreciated in our home. See photos of him signing, and opening the
wrapped brandy.

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