Mr. Sali--Blog Changes!

Amari announced some interesting blog changes some time this week!

Click the link in the side bar to see what changes he will be making.

Have a great weekend!

Lena Horne--MGM's Glamorous "Star"

Lena Horne is probably (if not THE) one of the most prominent and popular examples of a glamorous black woman being underused in Hollywood for just that--being a glamorous black woman. 

Besides casting her in the few all-black cast musicals they produced and in specialty numbers that could easily be cut out in the South, MGM had very little idea what to do with Lena Horne. Physically, she didn't fit the stereotypical (but always available) servant role; there were no black Leading Men in Hollywood at the time, and of course they couldn't cast her alongside white Leading Men. 

Ms. Horne was disheartened by Hollywood and its treatment of black actors/actresses and switched her focus to singing. 

Below is Lena singing "New Fangled Tango" from her live album Lena Horne at the Waldorf Astoria--recorded and released in 1957.

Evelyn Preer, Leading Lady

While Nina Mae McKinney is considered the first Black Leading Lady of Hollywood, Evelyn Preer is considered the "First [Black] Lady of the Screen"--period. 

She worked mainly in Oscar Micheaux films and is probably best remembered for her role as Sylvia Landry in the great Micheaux film, Within Our Gates (1920).

Mrs. Preer had a hard time finding work in Hollywood and on Broadway because she was considered "too light" to play black women. 

****

Evelyn Preer was also a blues singer!

Listen to her song below; titled "It Takes a Good Woman to Keep a Good Man at Home".

Happy Birthday Xie Jin!

Chinese director Xie Jin would have been 89 years old today.

Check out these links to learn more about this legendary director:

Guardian Obituary

Wikipedia

IMDb

Film Reference

Mr. Sali's Reviews (#9)

He's back!

Due to Hurricane Sandy, Mr. Sali had some internet and cable problems, but he's back with some reviews for us!

Glad to know that all is good, Amari!

Check out the sidebar for the ninth installment of "Mr. Sali's Reviews".

The Starlet, Nina Mae McKinney

Nina (pronounced "Nine-uh") Mae McKinney is definitely one of my favorite actresses.

I'll be honest--I've only seen four of her works: Hallelujah!, The Devil's Daughter, and two shorts: Pie, Pie, Blackbird and The Black Network, but she's absolutely amazing in all of it! 

I love her energy, her spunk, her beauty, and at the risk of sounding weird--I love listening to her talk. Her natural speaking voice had such a Southern richness to it.

Here are a few clips of Ms. McKinney, Hollywood's first Black Leading Lady:

As "Chick" in Hallelujah!

In the "Pre-Code" film Safe in Hell

and click here to watch a Tribute Video to her!

Theresa Harris--The Beautiful Maid

Theresa Harris worked alongside more stars of Hollywood's Golden Era than anyone else and was known as "The Beautiful Maid". She was one of the few women to play the servant role without "looking the part". 

(Actress Mildred Washington was also known as "The Beautiful Maid")

Unsure of source; possibly from Vintage Black Glamour

Her most memorable work came from the "Pre-Code" era. This era of no rules (or no code) allowed Ms. Harris to be more than "just a maid" (depending on who you ask) to her white female employers. In fact, she often outshone the stars of these films--even after  the Pre-Code era.

Photo from MadameNoire

Watch Ms. Harris in her first film role--an uncredited singing role in the 1929 film Thunderbolt.

To learn more about Theresa Harris:

Check out her IMDb page.

Also, read this interesting article about her in the New York Times.

Happy 90th Birthday, Dorothy Dandridge!

I am excited and overjoyed to celebrate the 90th birthday of a woman that I have loved and admired since I was eight years old--Ms. Dorothy Jean Dandridge!

Dorothy Dandridge was born on November 9, 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio to Ruby and Cyril Dandridge. Her parents were separated before she was even born.

Dorothy and her older sister, Vivian first entered the world of show business when they were 3 and 4 years old. They were known as "The Wonder Kids" (or Wonder Children) and traveled throughout the Midwest and South singing, dancing, acting, and performing acrobatics in churches, small theaters (or "halls"), and other social functions.

Ruby Dandridge with her daughters, Vivian on left, Dorothy on right.

When they were a little older, they were joined by a school friend--Etta Jones (not to be confused with Etta James or "Don't Go to Strangers" singer) and became known as "The Dandridge Sisters", performing mainly at The Cotton Club. They also recorded with Jimmy Lunceford and even toured England and Hawaii. In 1940, Dorothy broke away from The Dandridge Sisters to start a solo acting career.

Jimmy Lunceford (and his band) ft. The Dandridge Sisters--"Minnie the Moocher is Dead"

Throughout the early 1940s, Dorothy did a lot of small roles in movies and appeared in a number of "Soundies". In 1941, she appeared in the film Sun Valley Serenade with The Nicholas Brothers. She married Harold Nicholas in 1942 and gave birth to her daughter Harolyn ("Lynn") in September of 1943.

Dorothy with her daughter, Harolyn aka "Lynn". 

After her divorce from Harold in 1951, Dorothy began to throw herself back into her dream of becoming an actress. When her career began to stall, her manager Earl Mills arranged for her to appear at the popular Sunset Strip nightclub, the Mocambo. Dorothy was a hit at the Mocambo and would be a successful performer at numerous nightclubs throughout 1952. She was also the first black American to perform at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel some years later.

Dorothy making a grand entrance! (I'm not certain, but I believe at the Waldorf-Astoria-1955)

Dorothy's first big role came in 1953, when she played the lead role of Jane Richards--a teacher in MGM's Bright Road. However, 1954 would be the year where Dorothy would skyrocket to fame.

Dorothy made the smooth transition of playing the caring teacher in Bright Road, to playing the sultry, fiery role of Carmen in--what else--Carmen Jones.

Dorothy's performance in Carmen Jones got her a Best Actress nomination--making her the first black person (man or woman) to be nominated for a Leading Role. This role also got her on the cover of Life Magazine--making her the first black American woman to do so!

Even through personal turmoil and career disappointment, Dorothy continued her work in nightclubs and worked in a few more films (including Porgy and Bess in 1959) until her death at the age of 42 in 1965. 

****

Happy 90th Birthday Ms. Dottie. You have been such a HUGE influence on my life for such a long time. Your story has touched me, your ending will forever burden my heart--but your legacy will continue to inspire me. I am indebted to you. Even though I didn't know you, even though I wasn't even a thought when you passed, I love you very much and I hope to meet you one sweet day.

--Aige <3

New Look, New Theme!

People of Color in Classic Film has a new look and a new theme!

Check the "Current Theme" to see what we will be focusing on for the month of November!

Thank you all for your support!

November!

It's November 1st, so you know what that means--a new theme!!!

I will announce the new theme tonight--there will also be a new layout and everything.

Thank you so much for all your support and your "bearing with me" throughout October!