‘Red Tails’ Movie Promoted by Black Celebrities; See Who and What They Said

By Terry Shropshire
Jan 20, 2012
9:00 am

The Red Tails movie got the highest endorsement possible a week before it even opened when President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama hosted a White House screening that included a group of Tuskegee Airmen.

The George Lucas film about an all-black squadron of World War II fighter pilots was treated like a an STD by the Hollywood establishment — or better yet, treated like the soldiers were when they returned home to the horrors of Jim Crow — but it was certainly given a full-body bear hug by the First Family and Tuskegee, Ala.-raised radio legend Tom Joyner. The Fly Jock was, in fact, in Atlanta to promote the movie and, with Walmart, gave away hundreds of paid tickets to see the show at an area theater.

Everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Taraji P. Henson to LL Cool J to Spike Lee have come out in force via social media to promote the film and implore African Americans to flood the theaters in their home town:

“WAKE UP!” roared filmmaker Spike Lee on Twitter. “We Gotta Mobilize To Show Up This Opening Weekend For RED TAILS. Ya Dig? Sho-Nuff.

“I hope u’all support the film #RedTails this wknd,” Oprah tweeted before adding: “Talk to George Lucas all about it on NEXT CHAPTER this Sunday.”

Taraji P. Henson posted this up her weekend plans which will be punctuated with the movie: It’s a #RedTails weekend!!!!! Who’s gonna see it? I am sooooo excited!!! @jason_bolden and @AdairCurtisare my dates!” said the Academy Award-nominated actress of the Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Then Henson added, “RT @KeriHilson: RT@IngaNandiwillis: Before the Tuskegee Airmen, no African American had become a U.S. military pilot. #RedTails

Actor and singer Tyrese blew fire onto Twitter when he said, “Red Tails: George Lucas Mr Star Wars himself couldn’t get a major Hollywood studio to support his movie because it’s an ALL BLACK CAST!!”

Joyner spent most of the TJMS radio broadcast to pay homage to the living Tuskegee Airmen and to plead with black theatergoers to exercise their enormous consumer power beginning Jan. 20, 2012, the date of Red Tails premiere.

Sherri Shepherd, a co-host of the ultra-popular “The View,” summed it up succinctly: “George Lucas spent over $60 million of his own $$$ b/c he believed in #RedTails -the story of the Tuskeegee Airmen. Retweet & support!”

“Shout out to all those who worked on the project RED TAILS,” tweeted Derek Luke, himself a veteran of historical period pieces on the big screen. “Wishing you all the best this weekend. 1 Day away https://say.ly/QvA1i44. Actress Kerry Washington even held a discussion group on and off Twitter about the film.

Jerome Bettis, the future Hall of Fame football players for the Pittsburgh Steelers, said from his Twitter post. “I am a huge Military fan and I can’t Waite to see the Red Tails movie this weekend who els is going?”

This tweet came from actor Lance Gross: “Support Red Tails!!!!”

Roland Martin, CNN Contributor and nationally-syndicated journalist, added: WATCH: Red Tails Official Trailer – https://bit.ly/xt6FKM #RedTails Opens FRIDAY!

Martin also warned theatergoers to check the ticket stubs when they make their purchase to ensure that the movie gets its proper credit numbers-wise.

Former ESPN and current “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts, herself the daughter of a Tuskegee Airman, fawned over what her mother is doing in preparation to see the film: “YES!! My mom is going to see it today in Mississippi with some students! So proud & happy! RT @Cyn90: #RedTails is TRENDING!!!”

Even the mayor of Newark, N.J. chimed in: CoryBooker: So awesome. I will try. RT @dtogilvie: Newark’s own Michael B. Jordan is in the movie “RED TAILS.” I hope u go c it this wkend, Mr. Mayor!”

Lastly, Roland Martin added a stern order to urbanites who run into someone trying to hawk unauthorized versions of the film:

“If y’all see someone selling a bootleg copy of @redtailsmovietoday, smack the ish out of them! #redtails.”

So, the celebs are posted up strong behind the film. Are you going to see Red Tails when it opens or during the first weekend? Why or why not? We want to hear from you.

— terry shropshire