Hit Man (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) (1972)

LES ee, e j BERNIE CASEY stars as Tyrone Tackett in MGM’s “Hit Man,” a fast-moving action drama of underworld vengeance. MAT NO. 1C BERNIE CASEY stars as Tyrone Tackett, a super-slick street hustler, who survives underworld savagery to avenge his brother’s death in MGM’s “Hit Man.” MAT NO. 1B tion picture starring debut as Tyrone Tackett, a super-slick street hustler determined to avenge his brother’s death in MGM’s “Hit Man.” MAT NO. 1A EXTRAORDINARY ARTISAN In 1956 Bernie Casey won an athletic scholarship to Bowling Green State University, yet his family and friends were shocked and dismayed at his choice to major in Fine Arts. “The only painters | know are either white or dead,” or ‘‘you can’t make a living doing that,’’ was the standard response. “| would simply say, | love to paint. Sink or swim, | was going to be an artist,’’ said Casey, who currently stars in MGM’s “Hit Man.” Casey didn’t sink, and today he is recognized as an extremely talented artist, who has also become an accomplished poet as well. He has had several one-man shows at the prestigious Ankrum Gallery in Los Angeles. His oil paintings of abstract landscapes are sought by discriminating art collectors here and abroad. Some have commanded prices in the four figure bracket. He has had two books of poetry published, ‘‘Look at the People’”’ and ‘‘My Point of View,’’ and is presently preparing a third. Although his paintings have been described as abstract, Casey takes a slightly different approach to his work. “| suppose you could say my paintings are primarily abstract, whatever that means. | can’t say, because a painting is a visual thing and | don’t think one can explain how a painter paints. It’s simply art,’’ said Casey. At this point in his creative endeavors, Casey views his work as rather expressionistic, yet not necessarily reflective of a ‘black experience.’ “| think one’s creative pursuits work on two levels, one the subconscious and the other conscious. | try to be aware of where my creativity is in relationship to where my life is. “I’m sure, personally, | function on a very unconscious level, and have been doing it so long that a certain subliminal awareness has become an integral part of my creativity. “I can’t say that my paintings are reflective of a ‘black experience,’ because my experiences are not always limited to blackness. They’re simply human experiences. “More importantly is the fact that | studied art formally, which means | was programmed from the beginning. Meaning, historically speaking, European art was the art form which | was educated to emulate. “‘However, | was not aware of this factor until | began to understand my blackness. During my college years | went to school and tried to digest all the data, as every other student did, and tried to achieve the set standards of excellence,’’ said Casey. As a poet Casey feels his writings are more reflective of a ‘black experience.’ “| think it’s because, as a poet | began writing with the renaissance of a number of black writers. | started writing seriously in the 60’s, which was a very strong time for writers like James Baldwin, Richard Wright and Langston Hughes. “It was during this time that | really became aware of my blackness and how it related to life in this country. Which is to say, | was more attuned as a writer than as a painter. “While | was in San Francisco | enrolled in a course in characterization at the University of California Extension School, and a whole new world of creativity was opened for me. “‘Sometimes | think that acting is not a valid profession for a grown man. Of course, that’s not true because anything is valid. Even doing nothing is valid, if that’s your thing. My acting is a stepping stone toward learning the business and eventually | hope to become a well-rounded filmmaker,’’ said Casey. Casey, a man who knows who he is, where he has been and what he has to do to get where he wants to go, is destined to leave his mark on whatever he does. Announcement Story “Hit Man,’’ Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s new action drama, opens ANLENLALSMENE a. ois. Gi wmigi adie te seers ACTS gee Ee: Cb e e, Bernie Casey heads the starring cast. The Gene Corman Production follows the adventures of a powerful underworld figure in his quest to avenge the death of his brother. Co-starred with Casey are Pamela Grier, Lisa Moore and Bhetty Waldron. “Hit Man” marks the directional debut of George Armitage, who also wrote the screenplay. Gene Corman earlier produced ‘‘Cool Breeze,’’ a top boxoffice success for MGM. “Hit Man’”’ was filmed on actual locations throughout the Los Angeles area.