Maurice Hines’ work as a talented choreographer, tap dancer, and stage actor has turned heads on Broadway for decades.
Though Hines’ extensive resume in show business speaks for itself, his personal and professional connection with his younger brother, the late tap dancer/actor Gregory Hines, largely impacted his life. Their strained relationship is featured in the documentary Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back, The Grio reported.
The documentary was initially released in 2019 and premiered on Starz on Feb. 11.
Emmy-nominated filmmaker John Carluccio directed and produced Bring Them Back with his wife, writer/producer Tracey E. Hopkins. The film tells the story of an accomplished artist who is confident in himself and strongly voices his opinions while navigating through life as a Black and gay entertainer in show business.
Now playing on @starz"Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back" @MauriceHinesMov – Tune in, DVR, Stream. Also available to rent on VOD (https://t.co/BTYRtXxohE)#TellAFriend #gregoryhines #mauricehines #BlackHistoryMonth #blackexcellence #blackboysdancetoo #tapdance #Broadway pic.twitter.com/gVofGACeUi
— Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back (movie) (@MauriceHinesMov) February 11, 2022
The film chronicled Haines’ career as a tap dancer from childhood well into his mid-70s. When Haines was 5-year-old, he started tap-dancing with 3-year-old Gregory. They were mainly inspired by other legendary Black dancers like Coles & Atkins, Bunny Briggs, Teddy Hale, and Baby Laurence.
Viewers will have an inside look at the complicated partnership between Hines and Gregory in the film. Gregory’s daughter, Daria Hines, said the two siblings’ had to become the primary source of income for their family, which affected their relationship.
“Their dynamic was survival-based,” Daria said.
After their father, Maurice Sr., joined the act, they transitioned into Hines, Hines, and Dad while performing all over the country and recording together. However, as young adults, Hines and Gregory went separate ways to focus on their careers.
Hines elevated his profession by incorporating jazz, African, and ballet into his lineup while landing a starring role in the Broadway hit Eubie in 1978. Though Gregory left the act in the early 1970s, Hines helped his younger brother secure a role in Eubie to aid in Gregory’s withering finances.
The two brothers resumed entertaining audiences night after night until Gregory eventually became a Broadway star, landing Tony nominations three years in a row.
At the height of the film, both Hines and Gregory are captured during their final onscreen performance together in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1984 film, Cotton Club, where they played a well-known tap-dancing duo known as the Nicholas Brothers. From there, they were estranged for a decade, reconciling in 1999.
Sadly, their reunion was brief as Gregory died from liver cancer in 2003 at 57.
Bring Them Back is now available for streaming on demand.
