Daily Operation: Do The Right Thing Premieres (June 30, 1989)
June 30, 1989, brought the release of writer and director Spike Lee’s film ‘Do the Right Thing.’ Lee also played one of the movie’s protagonists—the Jackie Robinson jersey-wearing, pizza delivering Mookie.
The film took place on a block in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood during the hottest day of the year. It explored issues of racial tension, gentrification, police brutality and immigration in New York City. It was filmed entirely on Stuyvesant Ave. between Quincy St. and Lexington Ave. Its budget was $6.5 million.
Lee had already made the films ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ and ‘School Daze,’ as well the “It’s Gotta Be the Shoes” commercial with Michael Jordan.
The ensemble cast included Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, John Turturro, Danny Aiello, Samuel L. Jackson, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee. It was also the film debut of Rosie Perez, who danced through the opening credits sequence to Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power.”
“Fight the Power” went No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart and Lee staged a protest march for the music video.
When Lee’s film was released some film critics worried ‘Do the Right Thing’ would incite violence. Others recognized that it was the best film of the year. Others, recognized it was the best film of the year.
‘Do the Right Thing’ only received Oscar nominations, when recognizing Lee’s Best Original Screenplay and a Best Supporting Actor nod for Danny Aiello’s portrayal of Sal. The big winner at the Academy Awards that year was ‘Driving Miss Daisy.’
‘Do the Right Thing’ was the film that Barack and Michelle Obama saw on their first date.
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