Robert E. A. Lee
Robert Edward Alexander Lee (November 9, 1921 – February 27, 2009) was the head of the
Biography
Lee was born in Spring Grove, Minnesota on November 9, 1921, he was awarded a bachelor's degree in 1942 from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, having majored in music. With experience as a singer and playing the trumpet, he began his career in broadcasting by hosting (and singing on) the show Hymns We Love on the school's radio station. He enlisted in the United States Navy, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service as a pilot in the Pacific theater during World War II.[1] While he was in the Navy, he married the former Elaine E. Naeseth in 1944, a musician who sang with him in a quartet at Luther College.[2]
He later attended graduate programs at the University of Minnesota and New York University.[2]
Martin Luther
As assistant director of public relations for the Evangelical Lutheran Church, he was publicist for the 1953 film Martin Luther, a biographical drama directed by Irving Pichel and starring Niall MacGinnis. The film received extensive publicity and media coverage for the conflict it created between Catholics and Protestants.[1]
The film was blocked in areas with sizable
A Time for Burning
Starting in 1954, Lee was executive secretary of Lutheran Film Associates, a joint venture that created media on religious topics cooperatively run by the
The 58-minute film, directed by William C. Jersey and Barbara Connell, and with a budget of $100,000, was shot unscripted in cinéma vérité style using handheld cameras.[3] It showed the discord that was created as Youngdahl attempted to establish connections between the couples of different races as a means to improve race relations. Yongdahl, who later resigned from his post due to the conflict was filmed in a confrontation with Ernie Chambers, a young black barber in Omaha who spoke with anger about white people, and was later elected to the Nebraska Legislature, becoming the longest-serving state legislator in state history.[1] Chambers told Youngdahl that "As far as we're concerned, your Jesus is contaminated. You can have Him".[3]
Despite Lee's efforts, all three major networks declined to air the documentary. It was broadcast on
Lee described the film as "not about the people of Omaha but about all people, and it is not about race relations but about human relations".[3]
Other films
With Lutheran Film Associates, Lee was also involved in producing the 1962 film Question 7, directed by Stuart Rosenberg and starring Michael Gwynn, about Christians in East Germany. He also worked on the 1980 television film The Joy of Bach starring Brian Blessed.[1]
Death
Lee died at age 87 on February 27, 2009 at his home in
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Fox, Margalit (March 3, 2009). "Robert E. A. Lee, 87, Producer of 'A Time for Burning,' Is Dead". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-03-09.
- ^ a b c d Staff. "Robert E. A. Lee, Lutheran Film and Television Executive, Dies", Evangelical Lutheran Church in America news release, March 3, 2009. Accessed March 9, 2009. Archived March 9, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c Fiske, Edward B. "RACIAL DISPUTE RELIVED ON FILM; Omaha Church Fight Shown in Lutheran Documentary", The New York Times, September 17, 1966. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- ^ Gould, Jack. "The High Price Of Serenity On Sunday; Controversial Issue", The New York Times, October 30, 1966. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- ^ "Complete National Film Registry Listing | Film Registry | National Film Preservation Board | Programs | Library of Congress". Library of Congress.
- ^ "Brief Descriptions and Expanded Essays of National Film Registry Titles | Film Registry | National Film Preservation Board | Programs | Library of Congress". www.loc.gov. Retrieved 2018-03-17.
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