9. Kamala The Ugandan Giant
African American wrestler James Harris was asked by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Lawler to come up with a gimmick for him to wrestle under in the Memphis territory. One of them (it's disputed whom) looked in National Geographic magazine and found an article about a Dr Kimala who did research in Uganda. With a little bit of tweaking, Harris came up with the Kamala the Ugandan Giant persona. According to the customs of Kamala, Ugandan people are all vicious and stupid cannibals who prance about in loincloths and face paint. And of course, he had to be an ex-bodyguard of Idi Amin's. Could this racial stereotyping get any more offensive to Ugandans? Yes. Kamala needed a 'handler', he ate live chickens on air and that notable humanitarian The Reverend Slick taught him how to bowl. Harris is now retired from pro-wrestling (he had a leg amputated due to diabetes-related complications) but he will always be remembered for slandering the nation of Uganda with his ringside antics and appearance.
Clare Simpson
Contributor
My first film watched was Carrie aged 2 on my dad's knee. Educated at The University of St Andrews and Trinity College Dublin. Fan of Arthouse, Exploitation, Horror, Euro Trash, Giallo, New French Extremism. Weaned at the bosom of a Russ Meyer starlet. The bleaker, artier or sleazier the better!
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Clare