R.I.P. Sidney Lumet

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The great film director Sidney Lumet has passed. Lumet was responsible for such classics as “Network,” “Serpico,” “The Pawnbroker” “Dog Day Afternoon, “Murder On The Orient Express” and “12 Angry Men.” But most people don’t know that he is the director of “The Wiz.” Berry Gordy wasn’t happy about the movie’s failure at the box office and the critics attacked Diana Ross for being too old to play Dorothy and for having subpar acting. But among Black and Black music-loving communities “The Wiz” is a cult classic in addition to being the only film that Michael Jackson ever made. Quincy Jones’ soundtrack to “The Wiz” is legendary. So hats off to Mr. Lumet for all the great work he did and for directing the biggest Black musical to hit Hollywood up till that point.