Save the Children is a 1973 American concert film directed by Stan Lathan and produced by Matt Robinson. The concert documentary film chronicles performers that appeared during the five-day PUSH Expo in Chicago's International Amphitheater in 1972. The exposition featured art, music, educational institutions, social services, businesses and organizations and was developed by Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity).
The film was released on September 18, 1973, by Paramount Pictures. Performances are interspersed with street scenes of African-American communities in Chicago. Top musicians of the day showcased jazz, blues, soul, Motown, rock, gospel and other genres, in addition to talks by inspirational speakers.
The film's executive producer was prominent music manager Clarence Avant, who succeeded in having musicians from three top record labels, Motown, Stax and Atlantic, appear on stage together.
A soundtrack was released by Motown Records.
Among the standout performances were Bill Withers ("Lean on Me"), The Jackson 5, and Marvin Gaye, whose song "Save the Children" inspired the film's title.
Sammy Davis Jr. also appeared on stage, recently having faced scrutiny for embracing President Richard Nixon at the 1972 Republican National Convention. Some in the audience booed him, but Davis won over many with a heartfelt rendition of his hit "I've Gotta Be Me". Excerpts of his performance are also shown in the Clarence Avant documentary The Black Godfather.
In 2023, the film was digitally restored and released on Netflix. It was screened at the 2024 Chicago Film Festival in the presence of the director and many of those who attended the event over 50 years prior.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
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