Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999)
Directed by Martha Coolidge
Genres - Drama, Music, Musical |
Sub-Genres - Biopic [feature], Showbiz Drama, Addiction Drama |
Release Date - Aug 21, 1999 (USA - Unknown), Aug 21, 1999 (USA) |
Run Time - 121 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - R
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Synopsis by Mark Deming
Dorothy Dandridge was a singer, nightclub entertainer, and actress who became the first African-American woman to receive an Academy award nomination as Best Actress (for her standout performance in 1954's Carmen Jones; she lost to Grace Kelly). However, despite her striking beauty and obvious talent, Dandridge was a sexy, glamorous black femme fatale at a time when Hollywood pin-up queens were supposed to be giggly blondes. The film industry didn't know what to do with her, and while her nightclub act was a bit too smooth for the Southern roadhouse circuit, as a black performer she wasn't allowed to stay in many of the hotels and resorts where she performed. Dandridge also had a sad personal life, filled with tragedy and romantic disappointment, and she died of an overdose of pills in 1965, at the age of 41. This made-for-cable biographical drama stars Halle Berry as Dorothy Dandridge, supported by Brent Spiner, Obba Babatunde, and Klaus Maria Brandauer.
Characteristics
Themes
Keywords
actor, Black [race], career, disappointment, entertainer, nightclub, Oscar, overdose, race/ethnicity
Attributes
High Artistic Quality