Maurice Hines, a charming, gay African-American entertainer navigates the complications of show business while grieving the loss of his more famous, often estranged younger brother, tap dance legend Gregory Hines.
I was so overjoyed watching this film because I’m secretly obsessed with dance and I’ve always loved watching Gregory Hines perform. I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m probably the only one on the planet who wasn’t aware that his older brother Maurice was just as fabulous and influential. After decades of performing on Broadway, acting in movies and choreographing, now in his ’70s, Maurice recounts the amazing life he had along with difficulties he endured as a gay, black outspoken man who spoke out about racism, homosexuality and political issues.
In this intimate documentary, Maurice talks about his life as a dancer from the beginning. He goes back to where he started at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem, taking you down memory lane of the days when he and Gregory would sit in the theater studying the greats. They watched Coles & Atkins, Bunny Briggs, Teddy Hale and Baby Laurence with hopes to learn everything they could becoming the new Nicholas Brothers. One great piece of advice Maurice remembers was the importance to appear one with the audience and always be honest and real. As he stands on the stage and describes the exact way he felt as the audience reacted to his show, he looks up towards the balcony as if he could still hear the clapping; this is such a beautiful moment I seriously got a tingle in my body.
During the 1960s when African Americans began expressing more self-awareness, tap dancing began to fade as other forms of show business became more prominent. Maurice and Gregory joined their father’s trio to gain vocal experience but it was also a way of the family being able to spend more time together. As they got older, they began to find their own individualities as Gregory became a hippie and formed a band called Severance. Maurice found it difficult, as he was more family-oriented. Wanting to grow as a dancer he began learning other forms of dance like African, ballet, jazz and a style called VOP, created by choreographer Frank Hatchett, then incorporating it into his choreography. Known for his many performances in “Guys and Dolls,” “Eubie andUptown…It’s Hot,” which he created, directed and starred in and won a Tony award for Best Actor in a musical; Maurice Hines will always be recognized as one of the greats. I love this documentary, it’s literally something I can watch over and over again. It’s a story about family, love, passion, persevering and a man that will forever be a legend in show business.
“Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back” recently had its World Premiere at DOC NYC 2019
