EPISODE · Sep 27, 2021 · 18 MIN
Ralph Cooper
from Now I've Heard Everything · host Bill Thompson
In 1935, a young actor, screenwriter, and dancer had an idea. He started a weekly amateur night competition at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, in New York City. And before long, Ralph Cooper and his amateur night at the Apollo became a major influence in Black Entertainment. Over the next five decades, Cooper's amateur night made hundreds of previously unknown performers into Stars. I met Ralph Cooper in 1991, when he wrote A Memoir of his many years at th Apollo.
What this episode covers
In 1935, a young actor, screenwriter, and dancer had an idea. He started a weekly amateur night competition at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, in New York City. And before long, Ralph Cooper and his amateur night at the Apollo became a major influence in Black Entertainment. Over the next five decades, Cooper's amateur night made hundreds of previously unknown performers into Stars. I met Ralph Cooper in 1991, when he wrote A Memoir of his many years at th Apollo.
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Ralph Cooper
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