Don't skip school to see 'X' sez Lee

By VARIETY STAFF

Filmmaker Spike Lee backed off his earlier suggestion that blacks skip school and work to see his film "Malcolm X."

During an appearance here Monday, however, Lee said that support for his movie is mandatory to convince studios that black dramas are worth the investment.

"Hollywood is using this as a test," Lee told an SRO crowd in the Southern University gym. "We're going to prove them wrong on this film. You don't have to take the day off. Please. It's very important. Parents, go and see this film with your children."

Lee said he hopes the film will teach children how much Malcolm X, the black leader who was assassinated in 1965, valued education.