Dorothy Dandridge

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Carmen Jones a Spectacular Tale
Fabulous Bizet movie in english!
Joe - Thanks, but I don't drink.
Dandridge fan
Carmen Jones

Carmen Jones
Starring: Dorothy Dandridge , Harry Belafonte , Olga James , Pearl Bailey , and Joe Adams (IV)
Director: Otto Preminger
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Introducing Dorothy Dandridge
Stormy Weather
Imitation of Life (Two Movie Collection) 1934/1959
Lady Sings the Blues
Cabin in the Sky

ASIN: B00005RT38
Release Date: 2002-01-22

Amazon.com essential video

Few actresses have captivated the camera as powerfully as Dorothy Dandridge in Carmen Jones. Her polished beauty plays in irresistible contrast to her title character's leonine sexuality and fluid emotions; a man can't decide from moment to moment if he wants to save her from doom, build her a castle, or never let her out of bed. Of course, that's the problem with the boys in this semi-experimental adaptation of Bizet's opera, Carmen. Straight-arrow Joe (a strapping Harry Belafonte), an obedient corporal on a Southern military base during World War II, is all set to go to flight school and marry his hometown sweetie, Cindy Lou (Olga James), when his troublemaking sergeant orders him to accompany Carmen to a civilian court. In short order, Joe is swept up in Carmen's carnal anarchy and her craving for release from lousy options in life. An impulsive act of violence ensures that Joe's future is gone forever, putting Carmen in the difficult position of destroying their relationship to save him. Oscar Hammerstein II took Bizet's music in 1943 and rewrote the book and lyrics. The result is largely a smashing success with a few missteps (the bullfighter in Bizet's piece becomes a heavyweight boxer here, which breaks up a certain grace in the story) and a couple of perfect stretches (the long prelude to Carmen and Joe's first embrace, set on Carmen's hoodoo-ish home turf). Despite the fact that both Dandridge and Belafonte were singers, their vocal performances were dubbed by LeVern Hutcherson and Marilyn Horne. (Yes, it is a little disconcerting to hear another voice come out of the more familiar Belafonte's mouth.) Otto Preminger directed with his usual eye on economy of action and production, as the numerous musical numbers tend to be shot in lengthy, single, carefully choreographed takes. The result can be a little visually static at times, but the passion behind the singing pulls everything through. --Tom Keogh

Description

Powered by Georges Bizet's grand music and Oscar Hammerstein II's magnificent lyrics, this Americanized all-black version of the classic opera Carmen is "a dynamic superb show" with a positively "incandescent Carmen." (Newsweek) Oscar® -nominee Dorothy Dandridge stars in the title role, a passionate, sexy creature who lures Joe (Harry Belafonte), a handsome soldier, away from his sweetheart (Olga James). Following a fatal brawl with his sergeant, Joe deserts his regiment with the sultry femme fatale. But Carmen soon tires of him and takes up with a heavyweight prize-fighter (Joe Adams). Triggering Joe's tragic revenge. Helping to set the screen on fire are Pearl Bailey and Diahann Carroll, part of the "sensational troupe" that makes this jubilant musical film "hard to beat."

Customer Reviews:

Carmen Jones a Spectacular Tale.......2007-03-29

I loved this movie as a child and I purchased it in order to introduce my daughter to Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte. Many children do not realize who these icons are and how they paved the way for other prominent Black actors. This is a family movie that everyone can enjoy. The story is just as rich today as it was 40 years ago.

Fabulous Bizet movie in english!.......2007-03-24

Wonderful way to hear Bizet's music and see the USA in the 40's. And the actors are surperb!

Joe - Thanks, but I don't drink........2007-03-08

Carmen Jones - Boy, if the army was made up of nothin' but soldiers like you, war wouldn't do nobody no good.

Adapted from a legendary opera, Carmen, and the successful Broadway musical, it is a timeless story which explores the consequences when a deep devotion leads to personal anguish and then to intense, tragic rage.

The movie won a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture and Dorothy Dandridge - in a sizzling performance as Carmen Jones - was the first black woman nominated for an Academy Award as Best Actress. The film was selected for preservation by the U.S. National Film Registry.

The cast is nothing less than outstanding, with Harry Belafonte (Joe) and Joe Adams (heavyweight fighter, Husky Miller) capturing the emotional turmoil and consequences in striving to be Carmen's only lover. Olga James (Cindy Lou), Pearl Bailey (Frankie), Diahann Carroll (Mert) and Brock Peters (Sgt. Brown) are captivating in their roles.

Adapted to film by Oscar Hammerstaein III - who wrote the dialogue & lyrics for the musical - and Harry Kleiner & directed by Otto Preminger, the movie was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Music, Scoring of a Musical.

Rarely do all the elements fall into place for a perfect movie. They all came together for Carmen Jones.

Dandridge fan.......2007-02-13

Excellent movie based on the Carmen opera. I had seen this on regular tv as a kid, and had to own it.

Carmen Jones.......2007-01-10

I was so impressed as a teenager when I first saw this movie that since then the opera "Carmen" has been my very favourite music. The story is set in the US during WW2 instead of Spain. The film has an all negro cast with some wonderful voices. It is colourful and exciting.
Patricia Longrigg

Average customer rating:

lace up your skates for a grand time!
sun valley serenade
All Sonja Henie films should be on DVD!
Sun Valley Serenade
Music and then some

Sun Valley Serenade
Starring: Sonja Henie , John Payne , Glenn Miller , Milton Berle , and Lynn Bari
Director: H. Bruce Humberstone
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: Video
Binding: VHS Tape

Bari, Lynn | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Berle, Milton | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Dandridge, Dorothy | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Davidson, William B | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Davis, Joan | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Dunn, Ralph | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Henie, Sonja | ( H ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Payne, John | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Sessions, Almira | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | VHS | Video

World War II | Military & War | Genres | VHS | Video

Humberstone, H Bruce | ( H ) | Directors | VHS | Video

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Orchestra Wives
Down Argentine Way
The Benny Goodman Story
Second Fiddle
Thin Ice

ASIN: 6302136229
Release Date: 1993-04-21

Customer Reviews:

lace up your skates for a grand time!.......2007-05-11

SUN VALLEY SERENADE, released by Twentieth Century-Fox in 1941, was the first musical especially tailored as a showcase for the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Olympic iceskating champ Sonja Henie is also beautifully used here.

The plot revolves around an up-and-coming jazzband called The Dartmouth Troubadours, who are booked into a prime engagement at a Sun Valley ski resort. Things are complicated when piano player Ted Scott (John Payne), is suddenly lumbered with a pretty Norwegian war refugee, Karen Benson (Sonja Henie). Karen's arrival causes friction with Ted's girlfriend--and resident singer of the Troubadours--Vivian Dawn (played by Lynn Bari).

The delightfully-thin plot bubbles away very nicely, allowing us to see and hear some classic Glenn Miller standards ("Chattanooga Choo Choo", "I Know Why", "In the Mood"); and Sonja Henie is prettily-showcased in several iceskating routines. And yes, that's a very young Dorothy Dandridge dancing the speciality of "Chattanooga Choo Choo" with the Nicholas Brothers.

Henie's performance is the main reason why the story of the film works so well. She's an instantly-likeable actress here, with her soft beauty and innocent character. You just want to put her in your pocket! John Payne and Lynn Bari are also well-paired. Milton Berle also puts in a fun performance as the band manager "Nifty" Allen.

Glenn Miller would be reunited with many of the same cast (including Lynn Bari, and The Nicholas Brothers), for "Orchestra Wives" the following year.

SUN VALLEY SERENADE has now received DVD releases in the UK and Australia, so hopefully a domestic release is not too far away.

sun valley serenade.......2007-03-24

Unfortunately, as I write this I cannot and have not read the other 20+ reviews about this movie so forgive me if I'm repeating anything here. I just want to say that the musical numbers turn into true stereo sound as opposed to the mono track that contains the dialogue. I discovered this while watching a presentation of the film on the AMC channel a few years ago. Since I'm a big fan of early experiments in movie stereo sound, I was stunned and delighted when I heard the musical numbers suddenly switch to the stereo sound that's also very hi-fi for its time (1941). Fortunately, I was recording it onto Super VHS tape and still have that copy along with a new commercial VHS release I acquired sometime later. A stereo CD of the Glenn Miller performances was released from this film some time ago without giving credit to the movie as it's source. So if you're into early hi-fi/stereo movie sound, this is a real treat!

All Sonja Henie films should be on DVD!.......2006-11-23

As a Sonja Henie vehicile, this movie is an absolute gem! I saw it on VHS, and I am so glad that it's coming to DVD! I will be 1st in line to buy it at Borders! It has terrific musical #s, especially the Chattanooga Choo Choo number! Sonja is as dainty and graceful at her skating numbers as ever. The songs in it are Chattanooga Choo Choo, It Happened in Sun Valley, and my personal favorite, I Know Why and So Do You. Of course, as wonderful as all of these numbers are, they just can't compare to I've Got a Feelin' You're Foolin' for the Broadway Meody of 1936, THE BEST MUSICAL MOVIE EVER MADE IN THE HISTORY OF FILM, in my opinion. I really think that the DVD people out there should put all Sonja Henie's films on DVD, and come up with A SONJA HENIE COLLECTION! LIKE THE ONE THEY MADE FOR ASTAIRE AND ROGERS! I own the Astaire and Rogers Super Collection, and I LOVE IT! A collcetion for our amazing Ms. Henie would be SOOOOO cool! I bet tons of people would totally buy it! We also need them to put the Broadway Melody of 1936 on DVD! I'd buy a million copies of it if they put it on DVD! Anything to see Robert Taylor and JuneKnight singing to each other on a CLEAR, NON-STATIC DVD PRINT! So you should see this movie to see the great Sonja Henie! AND ALSOSEE THE GREATEST MUSICAL # EVER CREATED, I'VE GOT A FEELIN' YOU'RE FOOLIN', FROM THE BROADWAY OF 1936, WITH ROBERT TAYLOR AND JUNE KNIGHT!!

Sun Valley Serenade.......2006-11-20

Finally another great film to DVD. This is one of the Best films of the early 40's with The Glenn Miller Band. Sonja Henie, John Payne, Milton Berle and many great old stars. Bringing back good memories of motion pictures of the 40's. Glenn Miller plays his greatest selections, Chattanooga choo choo, In the Mood and I Know Why. You will be dazzled with Sonja Henies skating. You will also be dazzled with the great stereo sound and excellent picture quality. I rate this film the best 5 stars
I hope this film will be presented in it's original full screen format.

Music and then some.......2006-11-03

Wonderful movie- should be owned just for the music. It's an historical document that's great fun. VRR

Average customer rating:

First Class
A Great Musical History
Mostly All Judy Garland, Very Little Doris Day...
Too Much Michael
Music Nostalgia

The Great American Songbook
Starring: June Allyson , Bing Crosby , The Andrews Sisters , Lena Horne , and Judy Garland
Director: Andrew J. Kuehn
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Harold Arlen
Richard Rodgers - The Sweetest Sounds
Michael Feinstein & Friends in Concert
Rodgers & Hammerstein - The Sound of Movies
Biography - Irving Berlin: An American Song (A&E DVD Archives)

ASIN: B00008AOWT
Release Date: 2003-04-22

Amazon.com

The Great American Songbook is an ambitious documentary that chronicles 100 years of American popular song through film clips and photographs. It stretches from minstrel shows to Elvis, but features most prominently the "Golden Age" songwriters of the 1930s through the 1950s--Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, the Gershwins, Richard Rodgers with both Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein, and others. That means you can enjoy some of the most exquisite music of the 20th century including Paul Robeson singing "Old Man River," Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing "Cheek to Cheek," and Judy Garland's "The Man That Got Away," plus performances of historical importance such as Al Jolson's "Swanee."

Over the course of its three hours (it was cut for PBS broadcast), the program has some drawbacks--performers are identified but films aren't, the performances tend to be almost complete rather than complete, and scenes from fictional films illustrate the earliest historical moments, which doesn't feel true--but they're minor, and Michael Feinstein proves a perfect host, narrating and occasionally singing at the piano. Fans of Feinstein's cabaret shows will also enjoy his commentary track, which provides a lot of interesting and funny background on the songs and songwriters. His commentary isn't constant, but a useful icon allows the viewer to find the next section of commentary with the click of a button. Another slight inconvenience is that chapters are named by subject matter rather than by song title so if you're skimming for highlights you have to know what you're looking for. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

First Class.......2006-04-08

Perfect!!!!!!! Right from the first moment to the last this was fantastically researched and the narrative was wonderful. Ohhhhh and those old never seen before pieces of footage from the era that made music what it is today. I always said that the 20's 30's and 40's had more true genius musical minds than any other time in the history of the world. All of those immigrants landing in NYC with all of that yet to be discovered talent...Like Israel Baleen (Irving Berlin) and George and Ira Gershwin and Harold Arlan...WOW what a DVD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Great Musical History.......2005-08-04

I suppose anyone can get picky and find fault with this or any other similar musical DVD. I enjoyed it immensely, and the choice of Michael Feinstein to do the narrating was excellent. I would have liked to have more of the lyrics sung to some of the songs, but in the interest of time this wasn't possible even though the program is nearly three hours long. On the other hand many of the songs I enjoyed hearing did have more of the lyrics than I expected. The great songwriters are all here. It's not necessary for me to mention all the names, but George M. Cohan, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Richard Rogers, Larry Hart, Oscar Hammerstein, and several others are all here. If you enjoy American music I can't imagine you not enjoying this historical program.

Mostly All Judy Garland, Very Little Doris Day..........2005-04-30

I don't know why is happens, but whenever these documentaries are made, you get TONS of Judy Garland and hardly any Doris Day. Miss Day, almost single-handedly, saved the movie musical in the 1950s. She also saved Warner Brothers from becoming non-existant. When she became a star with her first film, "Romance on the High Seas," she rose to become the #1 musical star in films.

Perhaps the people who produce these films are from the "I must hate Doris Day" era. There was a time when the mere mention of Day's name drew ire from many uninformed people, some were even critics. What they don't want to admit is that Doris Day is one of the most popular and talented singer/actresses in the history of motion pictures. That's a crime, in my opinion. Forget the fact that she remains, to this day, the top female boxoffice star of all time.

Certainly, she deserves more screen time in these documentaries, since there is so much material from which to choose. She made 17 films in 7 years while at Warner Brothers alone, most of them musicals.

Most of the people who get the star treatment in these documentaries were never as big as Day, and like Garland, didn't have the crossover appeal to the Top 40 charts, as Doris did.

Until Doris gets her due, I won't buy these documentaries.

Too Much Michael.......2004-07-05

This otherwise superb survey of American popular music is marred by far too much narration and singing from Michael Feinstein. The cabaret entertainer's talent does not stand comparison with the giants highlighted here, yet as the documentary proceeds Feinstein talks and croons more and more, his bounced notes anachronistic and his smile pleasant but seemingly frozen by botox. What a shame, because the filmed material is priceless.

Music Nostalgia.......2004-06-28

My wife and I found this tremendously entertaining, informative and absorbing.

We sang along with most of the songs and found some of the moments definitely moving. The host was not intrusive and the use of movie clips to illustrate the narrative was ingenious.

Amazon.com

This race-relations film from 1957, based on a novel by Alec Waugh and set on a West Indies island, stars James Mason as a wealthy man who runs against a local union leader (Harry Belafonte). The rest of the players, one way or another, deal with the consequences of their rivalry. Mason and Belafonte leave a strong impression, but the film overall doesn't live up to its own sense of significance. Joan Collins is good as Mason's sister, who worries that the contest will cost her an engagement to the governor's son. --Tom Keogh

Description

Four different love affairs simultaneously wreak havoc in the lives of the inhabitants of a tropical paradise. A wealthy plantation owner plots murder when he suspects his wife of having an adulterous relationship. At the same time, his sister-in-law is drawn to his enemy, a dedicated black labor leader, and a governor's aide is torn over his scandalous affair with a native woman. Darling and exquisitely filmed on location, this rich romantic story with it's focus on race, passion and politics, was one of the most talked about films of its day.

Customer Reviews:

A place like this can hide many things!.......2007-01-06

I had the chance to watch this film last night and even though "Island in the Sun" was produced in 1957 it should be recognized as indisputable breakthrough! There have been plenty of movies like this, but keep in mind that interracial relationships were political detonate at the time - and yet some of the film's observations remain upsetting even today.

In this film the wealthy whites are ridicule here once again, lording their money-driven power over the black Caribbean field workers in this timely but talky issue-film. Belafonte also stars here as a native son on the fictional West Indies island of Santa Marta who wants to wrestle control of the government from the ruling white British regime, here embodied by political candidate James Mason (who harbors a deep, dark secret of his own -- pun completely intended). Joan Fontaine essays a white woman who happens to be in love with Harry; Dorothy Dandridge plays a local girl in love with a white man (John Justin); and Joan Collins portrays Mason's sister, trying to get English lord Stephen Boyd to fall for her.

The location (Barbados/Grenada) of this film was just beautiful, and so is Harry Belafonte's voice, singing Jamaican songs at sunset. His relationship with Joan Fontaine is fantastic--if not especially romantic. The love story sidebars are soapy but not dull and they give the film what passion it has. Personally what I really wanted to see was more of Belafonte. He was at a peak here, and since he didn't get to use his own singing voice in "Carmen Jones", this is a great chance to watch and hear him perform unfettered.

I also recommend is "Stormy Weather" because it is a important piece of history, being one of Hollywood's first pictures to star an entirely African-American cast. Though some racial stereotyping is on-hand here and there.

Island in the Sun.......2006-11-11

A Review of Island in the Sun
By: Noran L. Moffett

In an era for which the racial hegemony was challenged by the liberation struggles of the formerly enslaved Africans, the complex circumstances of life, love and legalities were centrifugal in the movie.

In the initial scenes of the movie, the primary characters surfaced on the screen with tacit commentary and documented tension over social, political and economic life forces, love choices and legal limits.

For the viewer of Island in the Sun, the social dynamics of racial taboos over love choices were confounding the characters who were engaged in legal and social polemics. Yet, the movie rapidly explores the dynamic political leadership of the African and Multiracial majority against the established socially, politically and economically powerful European minority.

The movie ends with the emergence of the true love for the political realities facing the Afro Caribbean population by the Afro Caribbean leader (played by Harry Belafonte) over the obvious passion for him by the Euro Caribbean woman. As a result of the movies multifaceted mood, tenor and tone, the viewer can recognize historical evolution and the introduction of interracial romantic revolution.

DOROTHY DANDRIDGE IS THE REASON TO WATCH!.......2006-05-13

Interracial romance is just one of the topics covered in "Island in the Sun", a Darryl Zanuck production,directed by Robert Rossen(The Hustler).Politics and political crime are also covered,especially those areas that touch the Fleury family of James Mason,in a so-so performance.The REAL star of this film is the utterly fantastic Dorothy Dandridge,who sizzles EVERY moment she is on screen!The rest of the cast Stephen Boyd,Joan Collins, and Michael Rennie is just average.The "other" interracial romance between John Fontaine and Harry Belafonte is a bore.Included in the DVD is at he original theatrical trailer,a fine documentary from A&E concerning Dorothy,and a poor commentary,on the film, by John Stanley,who is listed as a film historian.

Interesting, but frustratingly slow-paced race-relations soap opera.......2006-03-26

Set on a fictional West Indian island under British rule, Island in the Sun has all the elements to be a great 1950s soap opera: exotic locations, all-star cast, jealousy, angst-ridden male protagonists, racial tensions, sex, interracial desires, political intrigue, murder. What a great movie someone like Douglas Sirk (Written on the Wind, the 1959 Imitation of Life) would have made with the same cast, location and storylines!

Unfortunately, producer Zanuck and director Rossen spend more time showing off the West Indian locations than developing the characters and speeding the pace so that we can keep up with the different storylines. By the time you get back to some of the characters, youve lost interest or forgotten what happened the last time we saw them. Of the all-star cast, only James Mason (as the angst-ridden male) and Harry Belafonte (as the angry black man) get to have showy scenes and make an impression. Joan Fontaine (as a wealthy woman who falls for Belafonte) and Dorothy Dandridge (as a sassy West Indian who falls for a white man) are criminally wasted in this film. Even though their storylines got the most publicity (the interracial romances) when the film was released, all the two actresses are made to do is look good (which they do) in their costumes. Joan Collins is just okay as James Mason's sister and Diana Wynyard has one good scene as their mother.

Overall, the most interesting aspect of the movie, and the only reason worth watching it nowadays, is the 1950s Hollywood depiction of interracial romance, although there were so many compromises made that none of the two couples really seem to have much sexual chemistry or desire for each other.

The film's Cinemascope location shots look great on the DVD transfer and the DVD also features the Biography episode on Dorothy Dandridge. (I skipped the commentary track.)

good photography, dull movie.......2006-03-21

I remember seeing this movie years ago when it was released. I was a child and I had not seen it since. I was quite surprised to find out that it had been released on DVD so I ordered it. When I saw it in the theatre as a child, it seemed larger than life with the palm trees, vibrant colors, etc. I also fell in love with Dorothy Dandridge who I thought was absolutely beautiful.
Looking at this movie now, it seems rather bland and it did not hold my interest. There are a lot of story lines going on in the movie and none of them are particularly exciting. The women looked beautiful (except for Joan Fontaine who seemed quite plain and devoid of any personality) but their characters did not contribute much to the story lines.
The theme of race relations was not really explored the way I thought it would be, except as an undercurrent. The only black person in the movie to address the issue was Harry Belafonte and who does he wind up with but the ever-exciting Joan Fontaine. At the end he basically tells her to get lost.
I compare this movie with one of my all-time favorites, "Black Orpheus" which, while not having a complicated plot, was extremely well done.
In conclusion, while I would recommend this movie for historical reasons and for the boldness (at the time) of addressing the race issue, I would caution that it is not very interesting or exciting.

Average customer rating:

Carmen Jones a Spectacular Tale
Fabulous Bizet movie in english!
Joe - Thanks, but I don't drink.
Dandridge fan
Carmen Jones

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Introducing Dorothy Dandridge
Stormy Weather
Imitation of Life (Two Movie Collection) 1934/1959
Lady Sings the Blues
Cabin in the Sky

ASIN: B000667HHW
Release Date: 2002-01-22

Amazon.com essential video

Description

Customer Reviews:

Carmen Jones a Spectacular Tale.......2007-03-29

Fabulous Bizet movie in english!.......2007-03-24

Wonderful way to hear Bizet's music and see the USA in the 40's. And the actors are surperb!

Joe - Thanks, but I don't drink........2007-03-08

Dandridge fan.......2007-02-13

Excellent movie based on the Carmen opera. I had seen this on regular tv as a kid, and had to own it.

Carmen Jones.......2007-01-10

Small Steps - Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood

Average customer rating:

A very good documentary to depict the black person's struggle for true quality in Hollywood movies
A Learning Experience.

Small Steps - Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood
Starring: Lena Horne , Harry Belafonte , James Earl Jones , Louis Gossett Jr. , and Ruby Dee
Director: Velma Cato
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Stormy Weather
Cabin in the Sky
Hallelujah
Treasures of Black Cinema, Vol. 1
The Green Pastures

ASIN: B000BVNSCA
Release Date: 2006-01-24

Product Description

Louis Gossett Jr. takes viewers through a special documentary celebration of the groundbreaking achievements of African-American performers and their contributions to Hollywood filmmaking. Spectacular film clips, rare behind-the-scenes footage, archival photographs and fascinating interviews chronicle nearly a century of tribulation and triumph. Gazing at the outstanding range of African-American stars on today's movie screens, it is hard to imagine a time when there were no black leading men or women, a time when all of the roles available for people of color were considerably less heroic than they are now. Social progress came in small steps on the silver screen, film by film, for equal visibility and dignity on the silver screen; now it is possible to honor their struggles, their talent and their sacrifices. From the jaw-dropping athleticism of dancers like Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and the Nicholas Brothers to the amazing singing of Lena Horne, Ethel Waters and Dorothy Dandridge; from the early comedy routines of the legendary Stepin Fetchit to gripping dramatic moments featuring Paul Robeson and James Earl Jones, this tribute to some of America's greatest entertainers draws from dozens of classic films. Highlights include Pinky, No Way Out, Stormy Weather, Carmen Jones, The Great White Hope -- and many more groundbreaking films. Rare footage from studio archives helps tell the inspiring story of performers whose talent and determination would help them surmount all obstacles along the road to success. Featuring exclusive interviews with the Nicholas Brothers, Gregory Hines, Diahann Carroll, Ruby Dee, Bobby Short and Donald Bole, Small Steps, Big Strides tells the moving story of African-American entertainers and their accomplishments in Hollywood.

System Requirements:

Running Time 58 Mins.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

A very good documentary to depict the black person's struggle for true quality in Hollywood movies.......2007-04-05

Small Step Big Strides: The Black Experience In Hollywood provides you with an accurate and moving retrospective of the history of blacks in the movies. Although this documentary is only a brief 58 minutes you learn a great deal about the ways black people were portrayed in movies since the early 1900s. This DVD uses rare footage and great interviews with stars of the day to flesh out the theme of racial prejudice against blacks in Hollywood as well as what black people had to do to overcome it.

Because of wide spread and deep seated racial prejudice, black people initially had to be content watching white actors in blackface depict them on the screen. The black characters were always reduced to the lowly positions of being a "mammy" or a rather ignorant, uneducated man.

However, black people took steps forward in early black films including MGM's Hallelujah and Hearts in Dixie by Fox in 1929. The documentary uses footage to show that blacks still had to stick to strict racial stereotypes even within these early all black cast movies.

This DVD then chronicles how things began to gradually improve for black actors. For example, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson was the first black actor who could befriend a person of the opposite race when he danced with Shirley Temple; and Paul Robeson finally enjoyed a lead character role in The Emperor Jones.

Moreover, this DVD discusses in depth the two movies Stormy Weather and Cabin In The Sky. Stormy Weather was one of the first big budget musicals to feature an elegant all black cast. Black people were finally showcased as great entertainments with meaningful intellect and talent; the movie featured Cab Calloway, Fats Waller, the dancing Nicholas Brothers, Lena Horne and Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. At the same time, MGM's Cabin In The Sky also starred Lena Horne and Duke Ellington. The DVD uses footage from these two films to demonstrate how, for the first time ever, blacks were taken very seriously in Hollywood. One of the surviving Nicholas brothers comments on this during his interview and what he has to say sheds extra light on this situation.

The DVD also uses footage to give examples of how, by the early 1950s, a black actor like Sidney Poitier was able to embody the true complexity of life in black America--as long as he was clean cut. Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte were soon the first black "hot" couple; and by the late 1960s there was the then rather daring Guess Who's Coming To Dinner. This movie took on the challenge of dealing with interracial marriage; but the DVD also shows how Guess Who's Coming To Dinner was done so as to offend as few people as possible.

By the late 1960s the DVD lets us see that Hollywood wanted to portray the more militant blacks who wanted action much, much sooner than later as in films like The Incident and The Great White Hope. The producers of the DVD choose excellent clips from both movies to make their points very well.

Despite the fact that this DVD was made in 1998, the commentary and footage end with films from the year 1970. I must take off one star for this because the constantly evolving black experience from 1970 until today receives no attention from this documentary.

All in all, Small Step Big Strides: The Black Experience In Hollywood tells the story of how blacks gradually made headway in Hollywood. They went from being completely passive observers of white actors in blackface to portraying human beings with complex characters, real human quirks and very heroic qualities. I highly recommend this documentary DVD for people who want to study the black experience in Hollywood. People who want to study the American black experience in general will also benefit from watching this documentary.

A Learning Experience........2000-11-29

This Movie provide my entire class with a look at the struggles and triumphs of African American performers. A lot of unknown facts were shows and I really enjoyed it.

Average customer rating:

......Early WW2 on the Silver Screen......
Gorgeous star in an average war movie

Sundown
Starring: Bruce Cabot , Joseph Calleia , Harry Carey , Dorothy Dandridge , and Gilbert Emery
Director: Henry Hathaway
Manufacturer: Alpha Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Shanghai Gesture
Men in War
Kiss of Death (Fox Film Noir)
Prince Valiant
Laura (Fox Film Noir)

ASIN: B000AMJG3U
Release Date: 2005-09-27

Customer Reviews:

......Early WW2 on the Silver Screen.............2007-04-15

Not your usual Hollywood shoot'em up war movie, rather, a cerebrate type of a movie if I ever saw one...much to ponder...yes, heavy strains of colonialism smothers this picture, but who is the greatest about colonialism at that time than, "Rule Britannia"...with that aside, the film is good just the same and it shows off Bruce Cabot in a heroic light, but the vivacious, Gene Tierney steals the show with her uncommonly beauty...she needs no dialogue, just soaking her in is Valhalla...this is a big Walter Wanger production which was done with foresight and research beyond it's years...at the time America was still at peace with England holding on valiantly, but alone...a very young Dorothy Dandridge is cast as a Muslim native girl married to a young warrior in the service to the King of England...she says little but her emotions speak volumes for the upset in her village life...wonderful cast with Joseph Calleia, Harry Carey Sr, Reginald Gardiner, Carl Esmond and the staid George Sanders...a must see DVD on a pristine silver screen...throw-in a very good screen/play...Sir Cedric Hardwick is in the final fadeout with much to say and he is eloquent in his British aristocratic delivery....I liked the blown-out church scene at the end; it was inspiring and the tenor of that era to WIN WW2...."Sundown" is good as any WW2 film, it portends the message of winning the good fight....SSGT CHRIS SARNO-USMC FMF

Gorgeous star in an average war movie.......2007-02-19

As World War II rages, District Commisioner Crawford (Bruce Cabot) and Major Coombs (George Sanders) get wind of a plot by the Nazis to arm violent North African tribes and set them upon the Allied forces. An exotic, mysterious caravan mistress (Gene Tierney) arrives at their isolated outpost, but is she a friend, or is it her extensive trading network that the Nazis are using to move their weapons shipments?

"Sundown" is a fairly run-of-the-mill colonial drama, with the steadfast British troops and their valiant native allies standing fast against those who would bring low Britain. It's got a more interesting cast of characters than many of these films--with the liberal minded Crawford truly standing out--and the cast is mostly excellent. The film also benefits from a more exotic locale than many of these films, and the gorgeous photography takes full advantage of this, as does the script. (One bit of repetition that made me scratch my head: why did the bad guys always get gunned down in pools of water?)

Aside from the great camera work, another reason to see "Sundown" is the presence of the absolutely gorgeous Gene Tierney. She truly is one of the most beautiful actresses to ever appear on film, and she doesn't do a whole lot more than walk around looking exotic and gorgeous here. If you haven't seen Tierney do majestically beautiful, you need to see this movie.

Average customer rating:

An Original American Beauty
Yeah Right!

Dorothy Dandridge: An American Beauty
Starring: Joe Adams , Obba Babatunde , Halle Berry , Dorothy Dandridge , and Laurence Fishburne
Manufacturer: PASSPORT VIDEO
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

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( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Dorothy Dandridge - Singing at Her Best
Carmen Jones
Introducing Dorothy Dandridge
Everything and Nothing : The Dorothy Dandridge Tragedy
Dorothy Dandridge

ASIN: B00009MEGF
Release Date: 2003-06-24

Description

Dorothy Dandridge was both goddess and trailblazer - - Magical in a nightclub, on television or in film - - Mysterious away from the lights, camera and action. Here is the Dorothy you haven't been introduced to - - a close-up look at her triumphant and tragic life. Obba Babatunde, the man who played Harold Nicholas in "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge," hosts this one-hour program. Interviews with *Halle Berry, *Brock Peters, *Fayard Nicholas, *Joe Adams, * Jasmine Guy, *Laurence Fishburne, and others, as well as unseen, rare footage and photographs help explain Dorothy Dandrige as never before. Her personal life was full of torment and tragedy, yet fueled by her charisma, talent and strong will, Dorothy became Hollywood's first full-fledged black female movie star. Born into a racist, sexist world, Dorothy Dandridge rose above its restrictions to become a cultural icon and set a new standard for American Beauty.

Customer Reviews:

An Original American Beauty.......2004-05-01

This is a wonderful dvd to add to your collection. It's basically a 1 hr documentary on the life and career of the 1st African American woman to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress. If you have an attention span comprable to a fish, don't buy it, but if you're genuinely interested in learning about an exeptional trailblazer (in her own right), this is the dvd to purchase. Respect is finally being rightfully given to this amazing woman, and she definitely deserved it.

Yeah Right!.......2004-03-24

This absoluely is borrrrring! Ive never been so bored!. The interactive DVD menu is by far the highlight!. Skip this! BElieve ME!!!

Average customer rating:

Lady From Louisiana
Starring: John Wayne , Ona Munson , Ray Middleton , Henry Stephenson , and Helen Westley
Director: Bernard Vorhaus
Manufacturer: Republic Pictures
ProductGroup: Video
Binding: VHS Tape

General | Westerns | Genres | VHS | Video

Crime & Criminals | Drama | Genres | VHS | Video

General | Drama | Genres | VHS | Video

Chandler, Lane | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Dandridge, Dorothy | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Hackett, Karl | ( H ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Lloyd, George | ( L ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Pennick, Jack | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Stephenson, Henry | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Wayne, John | ( W ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Westley, Helen | ( W ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Vorhaus, Bernard | ( V ) | Directors | VHS | Video

Deals Under $10 | Today's Deals in Video | Features | VHS | Video

Lady for a Night
Wheel of Fortune
Big Jim McLain
Without Reservations
Pals of the Saddle

ASIN: 6300208613
Release Date: 1998-01-01

Customer Reviews:

WOW.......2002-02-26

There is almost nothing else to say. The Duke is wonderful, so is the plot and overall the movie was superb!!!

WOW.......2002-02-26

There is almost nothing else to say. The Duke is wonderful, so is the plot and overall the movie was superb!!!

Average customer rating:

Rare Dorothy Dandridge treasures

Dorothy Dandridge - Singing at Her Best
Starring: Dorothy Dandridge
Manufacturer: PASSPORT VIDEO
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

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( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

Dorothy Dandridge: An American Beauty
Carmen Jones
Introducing Dorothy Dandridge
Smooth Operator
Everything and Nothing : The Dorothy Dandridge Tragedy

ASIN: B00009MEGE
Release Date: 2003-06-24

Description

These musical performances reveal a special insight into the depth of Dorothy's acting, singing and dancing talents. They help us to better understand just how Dorothy Dandridge became fIlmland's first black female superstar. Songs Include: • Paper Doll • Lazy Bones • Swing For My Supper • Cow Cow Boogie • Blow Out The Candles • My Heart Belongs To Daddy • You Do Something To Me Show Two: The Films Of Dorothy Dandridge Selected trailers of the films of Dorothy Dandridge: America's first Black film Goddess. 1. "Tarzan's Peril." 2. "The Harlem Globetrotters." 3. "Bright Road." 4. "Carmen Jones." (Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.) 5. "Island in The Sun." 6. "Tamango." 7. "The Decks Ran Red." 8. "Porgy & Bess."

Customer Reviews:

Rare Dorothy Dandridge treasures.......2006-03-18

I took a chance ordering this one in hopes of seeing an hour of performances by Dorothy Dandridge. I didn't read the product description carefully enough because I soon learned that only half of the DVD (about 30 minutes) is performances while the other half is movie trailers and snippets. I've enjoyed watching it despite the graininess of some of the old clips.

Actress:

Actress

Actress