Detroit Historical Society | Coleman Young's 70th Birthday Greetings: Young's Sisters, Media Personalities, 4-H Unilights (1988) @DetroitHistoricalSociety | Uploaded October 2018 | Updated October 2024, 18 hours ago.
detroithistorical.pastperfectonline.com/archive/B93278C0-FC0C-4B8F-B8EB-093390395237
2015.009.039
U-Matic S tape containing footage shot for a video birthday message for Mayor Coleman Young, featuring his sisters, the Brazeal Dennard Chorale, Jamieson Elementary School students, a display in the lobby of the Millender Center, Carmen Harlan, John Kelly, Marilyn Turner, Dick Purtan, employees of the Fish Dock, the Brewster Old Timers, the Detroit 4-H Unilights Unicycle Club, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Governor William Milliken, and Red Wings coach Jacques Demers.
Following a brief period with audio of a man's voice and no picture, filming begins with Mayor Coleman A. Young's sisters Juanita Volsan Clark and Bernice Greer seated before the camera. Together they deliver five takes of their birthday messages to their brother. Their message mentions all of his nieces and nephews, and childhood walks along St. Aubin where Coleman acted as "mother's lieutenant." While the camera roles between takes they reminisce about a pact made with their brother to celebrate the year 2000 together, and about how they expect him to outlive both of them.
The next segment on the features three takes of the Brazeal Dennard Chorale signing Happy Birthday to the mayor in St. Matthew's & St. Joseph's Episcopal Church
Next, the a student named Thomas from Jamieson Elementary School's Room 205 delivers a birthday message to the mayor. He, his classmates, and his teacher then sing "Happy Birthday," with a second verse based on "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Two takes are performed.
The next series of shot take place in the lobby of the Millender Center where "Happy Birthday Mayor Young" signs have been posted. Carmen Harlan of WDIV is filmed giving a birthday message to the mayor before signing one of the signs. Shots follow showing close-ups of Harlan's signature as well as that of another person, as well as of other people signing the board. The camera also captures signs wishing birthday messages to the mayor in Japanese, German, French, and English. Then, John Kelly and Marilyn Turner of WXYZ are filmed signing the board. Turner jokes about signing as "Mrs. Company." They then are filmed addressing the mayor with their birthday message across several takes. Shots of several other people signing and delivering birthday greetings for the camera follow, including a wearing an Omni Hotel employee badge speaking on behalf of the hotel.
Next, a group offers a Spanish-language greeting to the mayor
They are followed by Dick Purtan of WCZY. Across five takes and one change of his outfit, Purtan delivers a birthday message in which he jokingly criticized Robert Graham's Monument to Joe Louis, Young's approach to rapid transit, and Young's reputation for using strong language. He ends his message by presenting a signed copy of Prince's album Lovesexy for the camera. A speech bubble has been drawn on the cover beside Prince, reading, "Oh Dick, you're all I ever think of whenever I sit here naked."
Next, employees of the Fish Dock restaurant wish the mayor a happy birthday in two takes. They are followed by a group shot of the Brewster Old Timers, who wish the mayor a happy birthday while posed in front of the moon backdrop at the Belle Isle Zoo.
Several shots follow featuring members of the Detroit 4-H Unilights Unicycle Club riding indoors while wishing the mayor a happy birthday.
Next, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra performs Happy Birthday at Ford Auditorium for the camera.
Governor William Milliken is then filmed giving two takes of his birthday message. He opens by claiming to be the only member of "the northern Michigan Coleman Young fan club."
The tape ends with a brief birthday message from Detroit Red Wings coach Jacques Demers.
The recordings are on 3M UCA-30S U-Matic S tape with a handwritten 3M label on its top. The tape is housed within a black plastic latching case with a matching label on its cover.
detroithistorical.pastperfectonline.com/archive/B93278C0-FC0C-4B8F-B8EB-093390395237
2015.009.039
U-Matic S tape containing footage shot for a video birthday message for Mayor Coleman Young, featuring his sisters, the Brazeal Dennard Chorale, Jamieson Elementary School students, a display in the lobby of the Millender Center, Carmen Harlan, John Kelly, Marilyn Turner, Dick Purtan, employees of the Fish Dock, the Brewster Old Timers, the Detroit 4-H Unilights Unicycle Club, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Governor William Milliken, and Red Wings coach Jacques Demers.
Following a brief period with audio of a man's voice and no picture, filming begins with Mayor Coleman A. Young's sisters Juanita Volsan Clark and Bernice Greer seated before the camera. Together they deliver five takes of their birthday messages to their brother. Their message mentions all of his nieces and nephews, and childhood walks along St. Aubin where Coleman acted as "mother's lieutenant." While the camera roles between takes they reminisce about a pact made with their brother to celebrate the year 2000 together, and about how they expect him to outlive both of them.
The next segment on the features three takes of the Brazeal Dennard Chorale signing Happy Birthday to the mayor in St. Matthew's & St. Joseph's Episcopal Church
Next, the a student named Thomas from Jamieson Elementary School's Room 205 delivers a birthday message to the mayor. He, his classmates, and his teacher then sing "Happy Birthday," with a second verse based on "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Two takes are performed.
The next series of shot take place in the lobby of the Millender Center where "Happy Birthday Mayor Young" signs have been posted. Carmen Harlan of WDIV is filmed giving a birthday message to the mayor before signing one of the signs. Shots follow showing close-ups of Harlan's signature as well as that of another person, as well as of other people signing the board. The camera also captures signs wishing birthday messages to the mayor in Japanese, German, French, and English. Then, John Kelly and Marilyn Turner of WXYZ are filmed signing the board. Turner jokes about signing as "Mrs. Company." They then are filmed addressing the mayor with their birthday message across several takes. Shots of several other people signing and delivering birthday greetings for the camera follow, including a wearing an Omni Hotel employee badge speaking on behalf of the hotel.
Next, a group offers a Spanish-language greeting to the mayor
They are followed by Dick Purtan of WCZY. Across five takes and one change of his outfit, Purtan delivers a birthday message in which he jokingly criticized Robert Graham's Monument to Joe Louis, Young's approach to rapid transit, and Young's reputation for using strong language. He ends his message by presenting a signed copy of Prince's album Lovesexy for the camera. A speech bubble has been drawn on the cover beside Prince, reading, "Oh Dick, you're all I ever think of whenever I sit here naked."
Next, employees of the Fish Dock restaurant wish the mayor a happy birthday in two takes. They are followed by a group shot of the Brewster Old Timers, who wish the mayor a happy birthday while posed in front of the moon backdrop at the Belle Isle Zoo.
Several shots follow featuring members of the Detroit 4-H Unilights Unicycle Club riding indoors while wishing the mayor a happy birthday.
Next, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra performs Happy Birthday at Ford Auditorium for the camera.
Governor William Milliken is then filmed giving two takes of his birthday message. He opens by claiming to be the only member of "the northern Michigan Coleman Young fan club."
The tape ends with a brief birthday message from Detroit Red Wings coach Jacques Demers.
The recordings are on 3M UCA-30S U-Matic S tape with a handwritten 3M label on its top. The tape is housed within a black plastic latching case with a matching label on its cover.
