Amos ‘n’ Andy is an American radio and television sitcom (1951–1953) set in Harlem, Manhattan‘s historic black community. The original radio show, which ran from 1928 until 1960, was created, written and voiced by two white actors, Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll, who played Amos Jones (Gosden) and Andrew Hogg Brown (Correll), as well as incidental characters.
Adapted to television, The Amos ‘n Andy Show was produced from June 1951 to April 1953 with 52 filmed episodes, sponsored by the Blatz Brewing Company.[35] The television series used black actors in the main roles, although the actors were instructed to keep their voices and speech patterns close to those of Gosden and Correll. Produced at the Hal Roach Studios for CBS, the show was among the first television series to be filmed with a multicamera setup, four months before I Love Lucy used the technique. The series’ theme song was based on radio show’s “The Perfect Song” but became Gaetano Braga‘s “Angel’s Serenade”, performed by The Jeff Alexander Chorus. The program debuted on June 28, 1951.
- Amos Jones – Alvin Childress
- Andrew Hogg Brown (Andy) – Spencer Williams
- George “Kingfish” Stevens – Tim Moore
- Sapphire Stevens – Ernestine Wade
- Ramona Smith (Sapphire’s Mama) – Amanda Randolph
- Algonquin J. Calhoun – Johnny Lee[53]
- Lightnin’ – Nick Stewart (billed as “Nick O’Demus”)
- Ruby Jones – Jane Adams
- Ruby Dandridge in various roles
Dudley Dickerson in various roles
Roy Glenn as numerous authority figures[55]
Jester Hairston in various roles
Theresa Harris as Gloretta
Jeni Le Gon in various roles
Sam McDaniel in various roles
Lillian Randolph as Madame Queen
(2 episodes); Caroline’s mother (1 episode)
Bill Walker in various roles
TV cast of The Amos ‘n’ Andy Show (1951-53). Spencer Williams (Andy), Tim Moore (Kingfish), and Alvin Childress (Amos)
The main roles in the television series were played by the following black actors:
