Black History Month: Favorite Films
It's the end of February which means Black History Month is coming to its end. To finish off the month of February, I am excited to list for you some of my favorite vintage black films! Note: this list is in no particular order. Each of these films hold a special place in my heart and are more than worth viewing!
1.) Bright Road (1953) starring Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte. I mentioned this film before in my Star of the Month: Dorothy Dandridge post (here). This is my favorite Dorothy Dandridge film and one that touches me every single time I watch. Dandridge plays Jane Richards, a new teacher of an African American elementary school in Alabama. Harry Belafonte is the School Principal and is surprised and touched to see the way in which Jane Richards is passionate about her students' success despite the struggles she faces throughout.
Dandridge's character has a student named C.T. Young (played marvelously by Philip Hepburn) who has failed fourth grade numerous times and is uninterested in school. He questions his belief in God and education in general. Things get worse for him as situations in the film causes him to act out at school. Jane Richards sees something unique in him and is determined to help him through his struggles. She sees something in him that in turn encourages the principal despite the fact that other teachers at the school don't see the potential in him.
When I first watched this film, I teared up a bit because it reminded me of my own experiences in elementary school. I still tear up to this day because I am more aware of Dorothy Dandridge's life and struggles. Dandridge's only child was born brain dead and because of that, Dorothy always felt like a failure of a mother. In her autobiography, she explains how this particular film was very hard for her because she was around so many bright, beautiful young black children who made her think of her daughter. She was touched by the kids she filmed with and it showed in each and every scene. She played her role with eagerness, frustration, and empathy that radiated throughout the film.
Of all of Dorothy Dandridge's films, I think this is the one to see! Carmen Jones (1954) showed that she could play a sensual, manipulative role. Island in the Sun (1957) showed that she could play a character who was madly in love regardless of the consequences. But, Bright Road showed her heart. The children in the film played fantastically. And her implied romantic connection with Harry Belafonte's Principal is apparent without any kiss or hug (which was forbidden for African Americans during this time). This film is a must see and one of my favorite 1950s films!
2.) A Warm December (1973), my favorite Sidney Poitier film. This was directed by and starred Sidney Poiter with the BEAUTIFUL Esther Anderson whom acted in very few roles in films. This film is extremely stylish, quick paced, and the viewer is constantly unsure what will happen next. When I describe this film, I always say that it is a combination of a James Bond film and Roman Holiday (1953), but with black flair!
This film is a complicated love story that interweaves mystique with pure romance. Prior to this film, Sidney Poitier was never able to play real romantic roles. As an African American male, he was often forced to play asexual men whom acted as a savior for (typically) racist white characters whose opinions would change after Sidney saved the day (as a police, doctor, etc.). Sidney Poitier was often criticized by the African American community for playing unrealistic roles of a "perfect man."
During the 1970s, Sidney was able to have more of a voice for himself and directed many of his own films. Many of these 1970s films were of the blaxploitation genre with the help of Bill Cosby and through these 1970s films he was able to change the stereotypical narrative invoked on him. This particular film was enjoyable for me to watch because it was the first film in which I watched Sidney able to truly fall in love with a black woman and woo her both physically (through kissing and showcasing onscreen chemistry) as well as emotionally.
Esther Anderson won an NAACP for Best Actress for her role in this film! She is a Jamaican filmmaker, photographer, and actress who played in very few films. Besides this film, one of her only other notable roles was in One More Time (1970) with Sammy Davis Jr. and Peter Lawford. In this film, she is an African princess, Catherine, who is stylish and able to charm Poitier's character (widow, Dr. Matt Younger) and his young daughter.
If you are in the mood for romance, a few tears, and 1970s allure, this film is a must watch! It is well directed by Sidney Poitier, has a compelling storyline, and polishes off with AMAZING costumes and sets.
3.) Anna Lucasta (1959), there's no way that I could discuss black films without mentioning a film starring the Queen, Eartha Kitt. Sex appeal, charm, activism, and strength, Eartha Kitt represents many wonderful characteristics and ideals. She was both a bombshell and socially aware! She had a tragic childhood, but reinvented herself and retold her story---for that alone, she needs to be mentioned in this post.
This film stars Eartha Kitt, Sammy Davis Jr., and Henry Scott. Eartha plays Anna Lucasta, a lost woman who uses men for her own advantages. She is a heavy partier and upsets her family due to her vulgarity and lack of discretion. Eventually she is kicked out by her father and decides to spend her time blowing money on booze and fancy clothes with Sammy Davis Jr.'s character, Danny Johnson. However, she falls for respectable, recent college graduate Rudolph Slocum (played by Henry Scott) and is torn between what she wants and what she feels she deserves.
This is one of those films that stars an all star, all black cast. Actors such as, Rex Ingram, Alvin Childress, James Edwards, and Rosetta Lenoire play amazing support for Eartha and Sammy. This film showcases a complex woman who is the black sheep of her slightly dysfunctional family in a realistic Californian backdrop.
4.) Shadows (1959) directed by genius John Cassavetes. I debated listing this film as it is not entirely black. In fact unfortunately two of the members of this African American family are played by white actors. However this film is worth watching to see African American actors Hugh Hurd and and Rupert Crosse. This film holds a great deal of interesting facts that makes this one of my favorite films of all time.
For starters this film began in an acting class and consists of a series of acting exercises and improvisations somehow seamlessly woven into a film like structure. The film was shot in 16 mm and consisted of hours upon hours of footage. Due to the improv and spontaneity of the actors, the film feels fresh and innovative. Some scenes feel as if we as viewers are watching the lives of real life people and that is a unique quality that I thoroughly enjoy!
Another interesting fact about the film is, Cassavetes lost Shadows and for many decades it was marked off as lost or damaged. In the 1980s, the film was found on a New York City subway train and was able to be restored. Upon its initial release in 1959, this film had very few viewings and was a pretty low resolution and low budget film due to the unique nature of the filming. Much of the original voices were lost due to the low quality of the microphones, so in some scenes, the actors' voices are dubbed in from later recordings. But the raw quality of the film only adds to its compelling storyline and uniqueness.
The film uses all of the cast's real names and deals with a family of three--a musician Hugh (played by Hurd), his younger sister Leila (played by Leila Goldoni who it's important to note was a white woman), and his younger brother Ben (played by Ben Carruthers played by a white man). Leila and Ben depicted African Americans. The storyline in this sense was extremely problematic, but the fabulous acting by Hugh and his manager Rupert (played by Rupert Crosse) is worth the watch. Leila is "white passing" and dates a white man who upon seeing her family, struggles to deal with the fact that her family are dark skinned blacks. Leila decides to be a cold hearted woman towards men she dates afterwards in order to protect her heart from potential disappointments.
In the meantime, Hugh has a separate storyline as a struggling African American musician in New York City trying to make it with his manager. Hugh's singing and improvisations are remarkable. Ben struggles with his addiction to partying and women. The storyline is a bit all over the place, but somehow feels REAL. The ending is cut due to the damage of the film on the subway, so the film ends ambiguously. My biggest dream is to see this entire film (the hours upon hours) spent in this wonderful Cassavetes' low resolution and low budget "acting class."
5.) Stormy Weather (1943), there's no way I could NOT add this wonderful all African American casted musical starring Lena Horne, Bill Robinson, and Cab Calloway with fabulous features such as Fats Waller and the Nicholas Brothers. The costumes, dancing, song numbers, cute storyline, and huge budget is worth the watch!
The beautiful and multi talented Lena Horne is an actress who received very few roles in films. She was considered "too beautiful" for a black woman and ended up missing out on major film opportunities such as, Show Boat (1951). Instead her filmography consists of cameos in which she sings a song or two and exits stage left. This is one of the few films in which we get to see Lena in glamorous gowns, being wooed by men, and singing beautiful songs all in one film!
Tap dancer Bill Robinson (who plays Bill) is the main character of the film and tells the story of the time he fell madly in love with singer and dancer Selina Rogers (played by Horne) and the complications that arose due to it. Bill vies for her attention, but she has another beau. However, they fall in love through singing and dancing. The way that Lena and Bill dance together will make your heart flutter!
This film has an all star cast featuring Cab Calloway, Fats Waller, The Nicholas Brothers, Dooley Wilson, Ada Brown, and so on! If that doesn't peak your interest, I don't know what will!
My favorite part about this film is seeing Lena Horne being able to be absolutely stunning! She wears gorgeous gowns by Helen Rose and sings pretty numbers most notably, "Stormy Weather."
6.) Paris Blues (1961) starring Paul Newman, Sidney Poitier, Diahann Carroll, and Joanne Woodward. The interesting part about this film is that it stars two real life couples. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward were married and Sidney Poitier and Diahann Carroll had an on-and-off relationship/affair that sparked back up during the filming of this movie. This film was not only beautifully shot by director, Martin Ritt, but has a wonderful storyline and soundtrack!
The film deals with two American jazz musicians, Ram Bowen (Newman) and Eddie Cook (Poitier) living in Paris who begin dating American tourists Lillian Corning (Woodward) and Connie Lampson (Carroll). Louis Armstrong plays jazz musician Wild Man Moore (essentially himself) who the two jazz musicians admire. Louis Armstrong also composed the beautiful soundtrack that makes wonderful background music for this beautiful and sensitive film.
The film deals with tourism, voyeurism, African American struggles, escapism, and the life of struggling artists. Both flings are complicated and possibly short lived due to the complexities of being a vacationer in new land.
The relationship between Sidney Poitier's character and Diahann Carroll depicts a very real relationship scenario that would have been extremely prevalent during the 1960s. Poitier has escaped the strife in America and feels that life for African Americans is easier in Europe. Carroll strongly disagrees with Poitier's escapist views and argues that as African Americans, they should be in America fighting for the rights of not only themselves, but their family, friends, and race as a whole. Poitier tries to convince Carroll to move to Paris as they are in love. He believes they could live a fruitful and happy life in Paris while Carroll insists that Poitier join her back in America to continue the fight for equality.
This film is very beautiful and deals with African American issues in a new way (for the time period). The beautiful backdrop of Paris, Louis Armstrong's music, and the superb acting of the characters gives this film a five star rating from me!
Each of these actors and performers I listed are worth reading up on and watching their filmographies! As an African American woman who loves vintage and old films, I often have to dig like an archaeologist to find proper depictions of my race from back in the day. I strongly suggest checking out Nichelle Gainer, author of Vintage Black Glamour who has an inspiring Instagram account (here) dedicated to sharing black films and stars (both extremely popular and lesser known). Through Nichelle, I have discovered many African American films and entertainers!
Hope you all enjoyed this post and I'll see you next week!
Disclamer: I do not own the photographs in this post.