Double Post! - by HepClassic

This week, I'd like for you all to check out two posts by our current and main guest blogger, HepClassic.


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In honor of Lou Gossett, Jr.'s 79th birthday (on May 27th), HepClassic shared a tribute post on his Tumblr:

"It is an amazing that the next actor I have chosen to pay tribute to parlays a lot into this upcoming holiday weekend, not to mention he was in my original plans for a tribute from February, that I am still catching up on and finally seeing realized. The past three blogs I had originally planned for February, but due to technical difficulties, I was unable to post them, to add personal business in the fold too making it nearly impossible. But, I digress.

February is African American History month on the calendar, but it is everyday for me, and it is a time to study, learn, and appreciate the contributions of African Americans into the fold of American culture. In film, there is little appreciation let alone knowledge of the contributions of African Americans in film pre- Sidney Poitier.  Hattie McDaniel has garnered a little more respect nowadays, but only just that little. But, it is more than just them. One thing about African American classic Hollywood is that the history remains living, because many classic African American movie stars are still living and still working, like the actor I am about to pay tribute to. This will not be a traditional blog that you are used to seeing from me, and that is not because there is a happy ending involved.The actor I am paying tribute to today is Louis Gossett, Jr." - "Louis Gossett Jr.: Authoritative Advocate" (click the link to read the post in its entirety).

Lou Gossett, Jr. pictured with Ruby Dee & Sidney Poitier in the stage production of A Raisin in the Sun.

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This past June 10th marked 120 years since Hattie McDaniel's birthday in Wichita, Kansas. HepClassic shared a lovely post in honor of her birthday:

"No African American actor or actress in Hollywood would have a career today if Hattie didn’t start designing the architecture of a path with her contributions and achievements. In 2002, when Sidney Poitier received an Honorary Oscar for a life’s work, he stated this: “I dedicate this to the African American actors and actresses who went through those difficult years, whose shoulders I had the privilege to stand on.” Of course, a person who is most responsible for that shoulder and path for Poitier and other beneficiaries to follow was Hattie McDaniel’s." - "Hattie McDaniel: A First" (click the link to read the post in its entirety).

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Hattie McDaniel: Black Ambition, White Hollywood

I love biographies and autobiographies, but I haven't read any in a long time. Bringing me back into the swing of things is Ms. Hattie McDaniel and her biography, Hattie McDaniel: Black Ambition, White Hollywood, written by Jill Watts and published in 2005.

I've had the book for less than 24 hours and with only two chapters completed, I'm already in awe of Hattie McDaniel's talents, her legacy, and even her ancestry. Even in her teenage years, the Oscar-winner was making landmark strides in the entertainment industry. 

I'll give you my final thoughts on this biography when I've finished reading it!

In the meantime, please check out this informal (personal) post on My Aige Old Soul.

Aw, Shucky Ducky: August 20th on TCM!

I'd just made a post on Tumblr talking about how the Oscar-winning Hattie McDaniel isn't talked about in many Old Hollywood discussions. 

This morning, I logged on to Twitter to see a tweet about Gone with the Wind. I immediately went on TCM to see what time the epic would be coming on only to find that today isn't going to be a Gone with the Wind night, but a Hattie McDaniel day!

(From Wikipedia) Hattie McDaniel in 1941.

As a part of their "Summer Under the Stars" segment, Turner Classic Movies salutes the Oscar-winning legend, Ms. Hattie McDaniel. The marathon has already begun on the East Coast (at 6AM), but you can catch Jane Gets Married right now.

Schedule for Today (Scroll Down)

Unfortunately, my school doesn't have Turner Classic Movies in the channel lineup, but I will try to make up for it by popping in my Gone with the Wind DVD tonight. 

Historic Moments at the Oscars

It's Oscar Time! 

In honor of the annual Academy Awards, I'd like for you all to check out these memorable Oscar moments......

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1956 Academy Awards--Best Actor in a Leading Role

Mr. Yul Brynner was the first actor of Asian descent to win (and be nominated for) the Best Actor award. He won for his role in The King and I.

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1955 Academy Awards--Film Editing

Here is Oscar-nominee Dorothy Dandridge presenting the Academy Award for Film Editing. Dorothy was the first black person (man or woman) to be nominated for a Leading role for her role in Carmen Jones.

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Cinematographer James Wong Howe

Mr. Howe was the first Asian person (man or woman) to be nominated for Cinematography. Mr. Howe was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won two--one for his work in The Rose Tattoo, the other for his work in Hud.

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1964 Academy Awards--Best Actor in a Leading Role

Sidney Poitier was the first black actor to win (and be nominated for) the Best Actor Academy Award. He was previously nominated for his role in The Defiant Ones and later won for his role in Lillies of the Field. 

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Actor James Baskett

In 1948, actor James Baskett was given an Honorary Academy Award for his characterization of 'Uncle Remus' in the Disney film Song of the South. This award made him the first black actor to receive an Academy Award.

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1962 Academy Awards--Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Rita Moreno was the first Latina to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She won for her role in West Side Story.

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1940 Academy Awards--Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Here is Hattie McDaniel receiving her Academy Award for her role as 'Mammy' in Gone with the Wind. This award made Ms. McDaniel the first black person (man or woman) to 1. be nominated for an Oscar and 2. win an Oscar and of course, it made her the first black actress to be nominated for and win Best Supporting Actress.

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Today, we salute and remember these legends.

Click the following links to see more historic Oscar nominations/wins:

Asian Academy Award winners and nominees

Black Academy Award winners and nominees

Latin American Academy Award winners and nominees

Hattie McDaniel, Gone for 60 Years

60 years ago on this date, Oscar-winning actress Hattie McDaniel died of breast cancer. She was 57 years old when she passed.

Ms. McDaniel worked in over 300 films throughout her career.

What's your favorite Hattie McDaniel role?