#david arkin

[haveyouseenthismovie-poll]

Have you seen Nashville (1975)?

Yes

No

Haven’t even heard of this movie

Voting ended onJul 6, 2025

[letterboxd-loggd]

The Long Goodbye (1973) Robert Altman

June 2nd 2024

[genevieveetguy]

The Long Goodbye, Robert Altman (1973)

[oldshowbiz]

Rob Reiner, Richard Dreyfuss, and Larry Bishop in their comedy team The Session

[cbjustmusic]

The #1 song from 50 years ago was Three Dog Night’s “Black & White”. ________________________ Black & White Songwriters: Earl Robinson and David Arkin

The ink is black, the page is white Together we learn to read and write A child is black, a child is white The whole world looks upon the sight A beautiful sight

And now a child can understand That this is the law of all the land All the land

The world is black, the world is white It turns by day and then by night A child is black, a child is white Together they grow to see the light To see the light

And now, at last, we plainly see We'll have a dance of liberty Liberty

The world is black, the world is white It turns by day and then by night A child is black, a child is white The whole world looks upon the sight A beautiful sight

The world is black, the world is white It turns by day and then by night A child is black, a child is white Together they grow to see the light To see the light

The world is black, the world is white It turns by day and then by night A child is black, a child is white The whole world looks upon the sight A beautiful sight

The world is black, the world is white It turns by day and then by night A child is black, a child is white Together they grow to see the light To see the light

C'mon Get it Get it Ohh-ohhhh yeah Yeah Keep it up now, around the world Little boys and little girls Yeah

[uwmspeccoll]

A Juneteenth SUNDAY FUNDAY

Continuing our celebration of Juneteenth, we present the children’s book Black and White: A Song that is a Story about Freedom to Go to School Together by David Arkin (father of actor Alan Arkin), an illustrated book version of the folk song written by Arkin and Earl Robinson in 1954 and originally published in 1956 by the Templeton Publishing Co. Arkin wrote the lyrics to accompany Robinson’s melody, and in 1966 illustrated the images for this edition. The song has been performed and recorded by Earl Robinson, Sammy Davis Jr., Pete Seeger, The Maytones, and Greyhound. The Three Dog Night version topped the Easy Listening Chart in 1972. Originally the song was a celebration of the the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case overthrowing educational segregation. Subsequent recordings leave out the lyrics:

Their robes were black Their heads were white The schoolhouse doors Were closed so tight Nine judges all Set down their names To end the years and years of shame.

David Arkin was a teacher, writer, painter and lyricist. He was blacklisted during the McCarthy Era when accused of communism.

Earl Robinson wrote music for popular songs and films with inspiration from American folk music, gospel, the blues and more. He was also blacklisted for his left-leaning music.

Our edition of Black and White is a second printing from 1968 by the Ward Ritchie Press in Los Angeles. The press was owned and operated by Ward Ritchie from 1932 to 1974. Ritchie said, “The main object of a trade book is to make the reader want to read it. You try to put warmth into the design so the reader will pick it up, get into the subject and keep going.” Black and White is now part of our Historical Curriculum Collection.

Below is a recording with the original lyrics.

View more Sunday Funday posts.

-- Claire, Special Collections Graduate Intern

[maxwelltait]

The Long Goodbye (Altman, 1973)

[theoscarsproject]

Nashville (1975). Over the course of a few hectic days, numerous interrelated people prepare for a political convention.

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this movie as much as I did. The premise sounded interesting, but the film is so much more dynamic, layered and complicated than I was anticipating. The performances are stellar from the whole cast, and Joan Tewkesbury’s script fabulously explores the trappings of fame, loneliness, intimacy and the era. I already want to watch it again! 8.5/10.