1640633
1640633

Mermaids, Frog Legs, and Fillets

1978-02-01 en 19m
Documentary
Long before the advent of hip-hop as a multi-million dollar industry, African Americans were rapping and rhyming in the street, in their neighborhoods, and on the fish market docks in Washington DC. In this film, Lincoln Rorie and Jerry Williams use traditional rhymes--and make up a few new ones--to entertain their customers, sell fish, and make money. Lincoln, from D.C., was hired by Captain White’s fish market boat in 1973, and inspired Jerry, from a fishing family on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, to use rhyme to sell. It's a remarkable story about a creative tradition in an occupational setting, and about how the expressive spirit takes hold in everyday life.

Director

Paul Wagner

Director

Jack Santino

Director

Steven Zeitlin

Sound

Zack Kriegger

Sound

Paul Rusnak

Researcher

Marjorie Hunt

Status

Released

Countries

    Companies