“The Barber’s Diaries” Moves Forward
The made-for-television documentary and motion picture project - The Barber’s Diaries - is moving forward at increasing speed. Director and screenwriter Kevin Willmott (”CSA: Confederate States of America” and “Bunker Hill“) has joined the project. Emmy Award winning journalist and writer David Henderson is involved along with Outpost Worldwide, the production company.
The Barber’s Diaries is the true story of Charles Ellis, a black barber who secretly expressed his thoughts, philosophy, theology and world view throughout an era of dynamic racial change in America, from the 1920s through the civil rights movement.
Here’s a video treatment of the story:
I was born in 1943. I was raised in Altamont and remember my mother talking about the Elises. If she was still alive she would be 100 yrs. old. Her maided name was Mary Catherine Shab. I can’t remember her stories. I guess when you are young you don’t have much interest in those stories. There are a number of people that have lots of interest in your stories. Thank you,
Lawrence Barns
Altamont, Il. 62411
My mother Phyllis (Smith) Conner lived next door to the Ellis family. They had chickens and mother’s family had a cow. They would trade milk for eggs. Mother said their chickens were black and white - she called them domino chickens - and were the largest chickens she had ever seen. She and her sister Pearl(deceased) played with Adrienne - they were always in each other’s houses like friends do. Mother tells many stories of their time living next door. As she recalls they were 10 or 11 years of age at this time. I would like to get Dr. Adrienne’s address so mother could write her a note.
I am collecting numerous pictures, documents that relate to the Ellis barbers, knew of them from my parents and have interviewed some of those having commented. Have pictures of their shops, and even the abstract of the home of Charles has been located. I am providing pictures of the time of their residence here, and today. I have heard nothing whatsoever but that has been positive about the families. Relatives have attended the cemetery here on Memorial Day many times, and the Methodist Church had a Heritage Sunday in 1989, and several Ellis Family were here. I have pictures of the children in school, 1924, probably Howard? I am honored to be collecting items for the documentary.