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In Maurice Hines, a celebrated dancer, singer, actor, and choreographer, Tracy E. Hopkins (BA ’92) saw a subject with a fascinating history who deserved greater recognition and wider familiarity.
“Honoring black elders is really important to me,” says Hopkins. “I’m glad we were able to give Morris the flowers with this film.”
Maurice Hines rose to stardom alongside his younger brother Gregory Hines. As children in the 1950s, the brothers formed a trio with their father known as Hines, Hines and Dad. Specializing in tap dancing, the family group appeared on television and traveled the world captivating audiences with their song and dance.
Hopkins has spent her career writing and reporting on arts and entertainment, but has never made a documentary. When the opportunity arose to work with her husband, John Carluccio, on the documentary Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back, about the multi-dimensional talent Maurice Hines, Hopkins did not shy away from the challenge of doing something she had never done before.
“I have this background in arts and entertainment journalism, interviewing artists and creative people. And as a writer, as a journalist, I know how to research and create stories. So in a way I’ve always been producing,” says Hopkins. “[John] recognized these transferable skills and brought me on board to work on the project as writer and producer.”
The documentary uses present-day interviews with Maurice Hines, as well as a wealth of historical footage, to chart the course of the brothers’ tumultuous relationship – from partners and collaborators and stars, to their independent solo careers and personal and professional estrangement, and to their eventual reconciliation in the years before Gregory Hines’ death in 2003.
Both brothers had influential careers that took them from Broadway to Hollywood. Gregory Hines enjoyed greater fame and personal success as he performed more on television and in films as well as on stage, culminating in winning a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in Jelly’s Last Jam “. During his acceptance speech, which came as the two brothers were estranged, Gregory Hines notably did not acknowledge his brother, even as he thanked his other family members. Maurice Hines would take over the lead role in the musical after his brother stopped acting.
Although the documentary explores the complexities of the relationship between the brothers, Maurice Hines speaks only positively of his brother. When one of the interviews in the film turned into Gregory Hines’ Tony Awards acceptance speech, Maurice Hines, who turned 75 during the filming of the documentary, refused to talk about it.
“[Maurice] is someone who will speak to Gregory more than he would admit to himself. I think his motivation is just to preserve the legacy of his family and what they’ve accomplished and what they mean to black entertainment and black culture. Gregory is not here. He is the custodian of the Hines brothers’ legacy. I think that’s something important to him,” says Hopkins. “But hopefully he was able to take away a sense of pride in his own achievements.” We hope he’s been able to see how great he is, because I think I think it’s hard for him to see that.”
The documentary features interviews with prominent figures in the performing arts world that highlight Maurice Hines’ influence in world dance and his influence as a mentor to today’s generation of performing artists. Debbie Allen, a respected Howard alumna who is listed as an executive producer on the documentary, is a friend of Maurice Hines and talks about the significance of his career. In recent years, Morris Hines has been a visiting master teacher at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and the Hartford Ballet.
Throughout his career, Maurice Hines was open about the difficulties he faced as a black artist. The documentary includes footage of his appearances in interviews and talk shows, where he clearly expresses his opinion without fear of retribution or backlash.
“I think it hurt his career, his tendency to be very outspoken. His message is to be yourself and be honest with who you are and be fearless,” says Hopkins. “I think that’s why this project is important. The audience can meet someone who might [they] I didn’t know about. Morris has a great personality. If you watch the film, you can’t help but be inspired and learn something from his life and seven-decade career. Viewers may recognize themselves or someone they know [his story]. If you don’t know him, [the documentary] is an invitation to meet and fall in love with this charismatic, complex adult showman.”
The documentary was a winner of the Metropolis Competition at DOC NYC 2019 and won Best Documentary at the 2020 American Black Film Festival. It airs on STARZ through summer 2023 and is available on iTunes.
* Image at top of article is cwith our donation to CINQUA
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