Marshall, Texas, described by James Farmer, Jr. as "the last city to surrender after the Civil War," is home to Wiley College, where, in 1935-36, inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and his clandestine work as a union organizer, Professor Melvin Tolson coaches the debate team to a nearly-undefeated season that sees the first debate between U.S. students from white and Negro colleges and ends with an invitation to face Harvard University's national champions.
The team of four, which includes a female student and a very young James Farmer, is tested in a crucible heated by Jim Crow, sexism, a lynch mob, an arrest and near riot, a love affair, jealousy, and a national radio audience.
Play | Title | Artist |
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The Great Debaters
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My Soul is a Witness
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G. Marq Roswell:
Produced
Alvin Youngblood Hart: Traditional arranged Alvin Youngblood Hart: Performer |
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Begrüssung
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Marian Anderson:
Performer
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Rock and Rye
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How Long Before I Can Change My Clothes?
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G. Marq Roswell:
Produced
Alvin Youngblood Hart: Traditional arranged Alvin Youngblood Hart: Performer |
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Delta Serenade
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Step It Up & Go
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G. Marq Roswell:
Produced
Alvin Youngblood Hart: Traditional arranged Alvin Youngblood Hart: Performer |
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I Ain't Got Nowhere to Travel
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I Would Do Anything for You
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The Shout
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When the Saints Come Marching In
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Shortenin' Bread
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Scoodle Um Skoo
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Run... Run / All Hid
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Stompin' the Blues
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Wiley College Fight Song
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Up Above My Head I Hear Music in the Air
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Two Wings
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Step It Up & Go
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Alvin Youngblood Hart:
Performer
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I Ain't Got Nowhere to Travel
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Alton Delmore:
Performer
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Shortenin' Bread
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G. Marq Roswell:
Performer
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Stompin' the Blues
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Nate Parker:
Performer
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Wiley College
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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Meet Me After Class
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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Who's Next
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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Choosing the Team
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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Give Me the Check
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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Who's Your Opponent?
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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Union Meeting
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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Sheriff Tightens His Grip
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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Quinn Debate
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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Burgess Quits
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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Oklahoma Debate
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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Tolson Arrested
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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Lynching
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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Lowe Returns Drunk
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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Never Going to Forget
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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James' Failure
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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Letter from Harvard
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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Train to Boston
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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Empty Debate Hall
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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Satyagraha
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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Who's the Judge?
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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Memorial Hall
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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James' Speech
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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And the Winner Is...
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Peter Golub:
Performer
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Main Title
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Jerry Goldsmith:
Performer
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A Start
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Jerry Goldsmith:
Performer
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Waiting
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Jerry Goldsmith:
Performer
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Back On The Field
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Jerry Goldsmith:
Performer
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To Notre Dame
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Jerry Goldsmith:
Performer
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Tryouts
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Jerry Goldsmith:
Performer
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The Key
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Jerry Goldsmith:
Performer
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Take Us Out
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Jerry Goldsmith:
Performer
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The Plaque
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Jerry Goldsmith:
Performer
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The Final Game
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Jerry Goldsmith:
Performer
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