Cecil leaves his position at the White House during the Reagan administration in The Butler, after which he reunites with son Louis at a protest against apartheid at the South African embassy. Pensamiento de Cecil Gaines: "Cuando el Presidente Eisenhower envi la Guardia Nacional a Little Rock, Arkansas fue la primera vez que observ que un blanco se arriesgara para defender a los negros. 2023 E! This includes Louis joining the Freedom Riders and the Black Panthers, and the rift that develops between Cecil and his son as a result. No, the story is not based on a true story, but it is inspired by the real life of Eugene Allen, who served as a butler in the White House for over three decades. They acted like they were some high and mighty people and that Africans Americans were just the dirt on the bottom of their shoes. Both radical and reforms were fighting for the same cause; even though they had different ideas to meet its end., Did you know the civil rights was a time of racism, discrimination, protests for equality, and gained momentum to overcome horrific obstacles ? Loosely based on the real life of Eugene Allen, who worked in the White House for decades, the film stars Forest Whitaker as Cecil Gaines, an African-American who is a witness of notable political and social events of the 20th century during his 34-year tenure serving as a White House butler. Theres a particularly stirring moment in The Butler when Nancy Reagan (Jane Fonda, of all actresses) intercepts Cecil in the halls of the White House to remind him about an upcoming state dinner. I wasnt that shocked, to be honest, said the 94-year-old Gaines, who was most recently employed as a private quarters assistant to the First Family. Profession butler at the White House. To begin with, Dred Scott was an African Slave that had spent time in a free territory. He was there, Haygood continued, while Americas racial history was being remade: Brown v. Board of Education, the Little Rock school crisis, the 1963 March on Washington, the cities burning, the civil rights bills, the assassinations. Allen undoubtedly lived a fascinating life, meeting countless historical figures during especially polarizing times, and its unsurprising that Haygoods profile caught the eye of Hollywood. He shuffled around to her side of the bed. Louis and Charlie. While the Black Panther Party ingrained the deep-rooted consciousness of black self-worth and utilized the black nationalist philosophy constructed by Marcus Garvey to address economic austerity and police brutality. He suffers some of the worst punishment and violence of the United States institutions. But it's not just about him. Blacks soon became worried again when Lincoln was assassinated and Johnson took over. This differs from the movie, which finds Eugene Allen's onscreen counterpart, Cecil Gaines (Forest Whitaker), being contacted by the White House and offered the job after a senior White House staffer witnesses Cecil in action at a D.C. hotel. Loosely based on the real-life of Eugene Allen, the film stars Forest Whitaker as Cecil Gaines, an African-American who eyewitnesses notable events of the 20th century during his 34-year tenure serving as a White House butler. . The movie begins with Cecil Gaines working on a plantation in 1926 with his father and mother. The struggles of Cecil Gaines' character and his son represent two sides of the same coin. How much do butlers make in the White House? The movie is about the life of Eugene Allen, who served as a White House butler for over three decades. [7], The story had an immediate impact. Menu. Although this aspect of the character may have provided fodder for Oprah Winfrey to sink her acting chops into, the real Gloria Gains, Helene Allen, was not an alcoholic, nor did she contemplate an extra-marital affair. When he retired after 34 years, President Reagan wrote him a tender note and Nancy Reagan tightly hugged him. Alex Haley demonstrates this idea of racial equality in The Autobiography of Malcolm X., The Kennedy Assassination: Just or Unjust? But as interesting as Haygoods profile is, A Butler Well Served by This Election doesnt provide that many details about Allens time in the White House outside a handful of facts and humorous anecdotes. Released in 2013, the film traces the history of civil rights from the 1950s to the 1980s through the eyes of Cecil Gaines, a White House butler based on the real-life experience of Eugene Allen, who served eight presidents over 34 years. [3], Allen was born in Buckingham County, Virginia and raised on Shirland Farm near Scottsville. The Butler Movie Trailer and Related Videos, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. Cecil Gaines is the protagonist of "The Butler." He is a widower and father of two sons, Louis and Charlie. Had champagne that night, Helene recalled to Haygood during their interview, as her husband grinned. Louis Gaines marched in front of the African embassy for those in South Africa suffering during the Apartheid. The real-life Charles is still alive, and has seen and approved of the new movie, according to Haygood. Cecil is a very private person who does not share much about his personal life with his colleagues or friends. Oprah Winfrey who portray husband and wife This crooked fella, Trump, he doesnt seem to know a thing about the country, its laws, the Constitution. In real life, Eugene and Helene Allen only had one son, not two. A rep for the Weinstein Company, which released The Butler, was unavailable for comment. The only thing that can be said with certainty is that the President is not in the film aside from historic footage. His death was unjustified because he fought for equal rights, was a advocate for black people, and he did great things for his country. And heres how this made-for-TV nightmare shouldve ended. Just for the movie. And he doesnt seem to care at all about its people, what with so many getting sick and dying from the Covid. Funeral arrangement under the care ofGrand View Funeral Home & Burial Park. His character is a composite of all those who participated in sit-ins; rode the bus during the Freedom Rides; walked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and later became members of the Black Panther Party. black man be elected to the White House. But in the hallway, he fell against the wall and started crying. Cecil and his father working the cotton field Nov 23, 2022 - Louis Gaines is a fictional character in the 2013 film The Butler. He worked for the family as a house boy doing chores such as washing dishes. Eyes watering, he watched the first black man take the oath of office of the presidency, Haygood wrote in his obituary of Allen in 2010. I attribute this affirmative action to be a product of both the NAACP and NOW recognition. The Butler tells the story of Cecil Gaines, a black man who rose to become White House butler and served eight presidents, witnessing some of the most tumultuous events in 20th-century America, including the Civil Rights movement. "If you knew my father, you'd know he was the last person on Earth you would call a racist.". His mother (Mariah Carey) is raped by a white plantation overseer, Thomas Westfall (Alex Pettyfer), loud enough for everyone to hear. Eugene Charles Allen - Scottsville Museum, "Eugene Allen, White House butler for 8 presidents, dies at 90", "Eugene Allen: White House butler who worked for eight US presidents", "The True Story of The Butler: Fact vs. Fiction in Lee Daniels' The Butler", "White House Workers: Traditions and Memories", "No, President Obama isn't doing a cameo in 'The Butler', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eugene_Allen&oldid=1134854716, This page was last edited on 21 January 2023, at 01:43. Gaines served in the early twentieth century with the last of the Buffalo Soldiers, the nineteenth century regiments commissioned immediately after the Civil War. The Butler, with its Forrest Gump-like ambition to touch on every significant moment and movement in the countrys 20th century racial history, begins by showing Cecil Gaines on a Georgia plantation picking cotton with his father (David Banner). Just imagine, Gloria says. Allen was a black man unknown to the headlines, Will Haygood wrote in that Post article. John F. Kennedy was one of the only presidents that for black people during civil rights and the Jim Crow era., White Americans thought that they were superior to African Americans. The film follows Cecil Gaines, modeled after Allen, as he witnesses the changes of each administration while his son, Louis Gaines, fights for equality. Gene woke and nudged her once, then again. Mr. Gaines was born in Monticello, the oldest of seven children. Yes. At the time of the civil rights, it was inspired by African-American, Hispanic, Native Americans, and another citizen that was against what forms of discrimination there was at that time. Allens life was the inspiration for the 2013 film The Butler. He is survived by : his children, Sheri Wood (Steve Drewel) of Lake Ozark, MO, Matthew Gaines (Adrian) of Plattsburg, MO and Chris Gaines (Erica) of New London, MO; his grandchildren, Erin Krupps (Philip), Emily Wood, Kaitlyn Underhill (Joey) and Brooklyn Gaines; his great grandchildren, Crew and Auley; and his friends, Jay and Sue Garrelts of Palmyra. Eugene Allen with Ronald and Nancy Reagan. Lee Daniels' The Butler (2013) and Steven Spielberg's Lincoln (2012) might appear to tackle vastly different themes on the . Other moments from the film appear to be true: Allen witnessed presidents mulling over important historical decisions, including Eisenhowers fight with Arkansas governor Orval Faubus regarding the desegregation of Little Rock. Check out the hottest fashion, photos, movies and TV shows! Allen was the first White House butler ever to be invited as a guest to a state dinner. Allen had one son, Charles, who served in Vietnam, just as Cecils younger son (also named Charles) does. It was a brief meeting, but one that Obama later remarked was a thrill.. butler, it was important that he did it There is no evidence that Eugene Allen's mother was raped or that his father was shot and killed by the plantation owner like in the movie. (2023), How Long After Color Remover Can I Bleach My Hair? [10] Allen's life was the inspiration for the 2013 film The Butler. (They're played by Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey.) When Westfall returns, Cecils father shows his anger, and Westfall shoots him dead in front of Cecil and the other plantation workers. In the film, Cecil is portrayed by Forest Whitaker. Cecil Gaines Obituary We are sad to announce that on June 25, 2021, at the age of 82, Cecil Gaines of Hannibal, Missouri passed away. Colombia is a multiethnic society, home to people of various ethnic, religious and national origins. Cecil Gaines, who has been serving presidents in the White House since the late 1950s, was fired by Donald Trump on Wednesday for disloyalty. While Daniels had some input as to the script, Strong is credited as the sole writer. So as time went by, Cecil became the butler for the president. Days before Election Day, Helene passed away. -The Butler: A Witness to History. Indigenous peoples of Colombia, or Native Colombians, are the ethnic groups who have been in Colombia prior to the Europeans in the early 16th century. He begins working in the White House under Eisenhowers administration, in 1957. PHOTOS: 10 Presidents and Their Famous Hollywood Pals -Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life, Yes. Entertainment Television, LLC A Division of NBCUniversal. Soon the fourteenth amendment came in place, which let the African Americans progress in society (263). The butler and the Reagans We may earn a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through links. Looking for info on THOR FORSYTHE GAINES born Jan 31, 1890. He is a butler who has worked in the White House for over three decades. When Jackie Kennedy returns, she gives Cecil the tie her husband was wearing, which he brings home and presents to his family. The film also gives the butler a second son who is a civil rights activist, and who, in real life, did not exist. No, Obama did not invite Eugene Allen to the White House. Barack Obama, the first black president of the United States, will have spent eight years in the Oval Office when he leaves the White House in January 2017. Is the movie The Butler based on a true story? This site is supported by our readers. The life of that man, Eugene Allen, is the basis for Lee Daniels The Butler, which debuts in theaters this weekend. So how much is real and how much has been slightly embellished? This contrasts the movie, which has Cecil starting to work as a butler immediately. Louis Gaines is the first child of Cecil Gaines, he is smart, he proved it by entered at Fisk University in Tennessee. That is, till today.. Today, most Colombians wear Western-style clothing. Who is Cecil Gaines in real life? Shed lean on her cane with one hand, and on him with the other, while walking down to the precinct. "We were able to borrow some extraordinary moments from Eugene's real life to weave into the movie." It created the rights that said the difference of skin color between black and white people made no difference, both races deserved the same treatment. Jackson made it where common people could vote, and thats why he won the elections. Much of the film, though, has been fictionalized, including his name (which was changed to Cecil Gaines) and childhood background. The longtime butler also shared positive memories of Bill Clinton (Quite a rascal, that one, always chasing the skirts), but spoke less kindly of George W (Never could figure how a man with his lack of wits got as far as he did, pardon me for saying so.). Cecils father shows his anger, and on him with the other workers! Which released the butler movie Trailer and Related Videos, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil Vile. Africa suffering during the Apartheid which has Cecil starting to work as a House boy doing chores such washing. ( 2023 ), how Long after Color Remover can i Bleach my Hair he shuffled to. When Lincoln was assassinated and Johnson took over with certainty is that the President when Jackie Kennedy returns Cecils! To Haygood starting to work as a House boy doing chores such washing. A White House under Eisenhowers administration, in 1957 Obama did not invite Eugene Allen, served. 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