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Stepin Fetchit: The Life and Times of Lincoln Perry

Clay Powell

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Stepin Fetchit In Character Stepin Fetchit: The Life Times Of Lincoln Perry

Stepin Fetchit was one of the most controversial figures in American film history. A black actor who rose to fame in the 1920s and 1930s, Fetchit played the role of a lazy, shiftless, and superstitious African American man. His performances were often criticized for perpetuating negative stereotypes about black people, but Fetchit also used his platform to speak out against racism and injustice.

Lincoln Perry, the man behind the Stepin Fetchit persona, was born in 1902 in Key West, Florida. His father was a Bahamian immigrant, and his mother was a native of Key West. Perry began performing in vaudeville at a young age, and he quickly developed a reputation for his ability to make audiences laugh. In 1925, he made his film debut in the movie In Old Kentucky. The film was a critical and commercial success, and Fetchit's character quickly became a popular favorite.

Stepin Fetchit: The Life & Times of Lincoln Perry

by Mel Watkins

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Language	:	English
File size	:	1397 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	368 pages

Over the next decade, Fetchit starred in more than 50 films. He became one of the most popular actors in Hollywood, and he was known for his signature catchphrases, such as "Step 'n' Fetchit" and "A-hee-hee-hee!" However, Fetchit's popularity also began to decline in the late 1930s. The rise of the civil rights movement led to increased criticism of Fetchit's stereotypical portrayals of black people. In 1948, Fetchit was blacklisted by the Hollywood studios, and he never appeared in another film.

Fetchit continued to perform in vaudeville and on television until his death in 1985. He never apologized for his portrayal of Stepin Fetchit, and he always maintained that he was simply trying to make people laugh. However, Fetchit's legacy is still debated today. Some critics argue that he was a sellout who helped to perpetuate negative stereotypes about black people. Others argue that he was a complex figure who used his platform to speak out against racism and injustice.

The life of Stepin Fetchit is a fascinating and complex one. It is a story of a man who was both a product of his time and a pioneer who dared to challenge the status quo. Fetchit's legacy is still being debated today, but there is no doubt that he was one of the most important figures in American film history.