There aren't enough superlatives in the English language to adequately describe the genius of Hattie McDaniel. But one word definitely defines her better than most: class! She is greatly, greatly missed.
Hattie McDaniel's singing voice fueled her early career. She was the first African American woman to perform on national radio with her jazz band in 1915.
Hollywood didn’t “make” Hattie McDaniel. She was one tough and talented woman who climbed her way through white Hollywood - and lots of roles of the maid or mammy - to make it.
Thank you for sharing that information about Hattie. I think she had a great deal of respect from Hollywood even in that time period and she deserved nothing less now. Hattie and Stepin Fetchit took the roles they could get at the time and paved the way for others. Hattie once said, "It is better to play a housemaid than be one". I heard that she had one of the most beautiful homes in the Los Angeles area.
Yes it really is her singing! She was wonderful! I am going to be uploading some more of Hattie's singing in the next couple of days :) from the 1936 Showboat.
Hattie life I would dare to say was an activist for civil rights. As you said, she had a wonderful acting career facing great odds that she would succeed. What a wonderful and talented lady!
As the 1940s progressed, the servant roles McDaniel and other African American performers had so frequently played were subjected to increasingly strong criticism by groups such as the NAACP. In response to the NAACP's criticism, McDaniel replied, "I'd rather play a maid and make $7000 a week than be one for $7."
She knew everyone in the film business. I have a photo of a party at her home with Esther Williams, Janet Leigh among the guests. She was much liked in the film community but roles were difficult to come by. W hen she wasn't acting she ran her own catering business. She didn't like being idle.
She was fearless! There are photos of her and her lady friends leaving her beautiful home dressed to the nines ready to go out on a civil rights cause. The roles she played didn't at all reflect her sense of style, her sophistication, her wit or her brains. She was already a success as a child in Denver.
There are not too many adults of any types in kids lives these days that will tell them when they are wrong and kids do not seem to have consequences for their actions.
@rdsweet That was his style. He was a funny guy and very well liked by everyone. He was quoted as saying "There are no strangers, just friends I haven't met".
I've Always loved her character as "Mammy"! I think that's the problem with alot of kids today is that they don't have that "Mammy" figure or even "Madea" in their lives to put them on the right track. And tell them straight when they are doing something wrong.
@GooglFascists Very interesting comment. I also agree that our country used to be more free than it is now. I also do agree that African-Americans should never be ashamed of their history. They have suffered much and have contributed much to American history and culture.
More free? As in when blacks weren’t allowed to vote? Or drink water from a “no Negroes, no Jews” water fountain? Or banks wouldn’t give them a mortgage? Or when women couldn’t vote? When exactly were people more free that you refer to?
Hattie was full of contradictions. Shy, but forward enough to get the career she got against all the odds. Took the streetcar to work. Yes, the house was beautiful; there are photos. She was, by the way, quite the activist for black causes and quite the dresser.
Hattie Mcdaniel, had an amazing singing voice. Many people didn't realize, just how lush her contralto singing voice was.
There aren't enough superlatives in the English language to adequately describe the genius of Hattie McDaniel. But one word definitely defines her better than most: class! She is greatly, greatly missed.
She played servants but Hattie McDaniel elevated every film she appeared in.
Shut the fuck up!
I agree. She really made Gone with the Wind the classic it is. I can't see it being the success it was without her.
She is adorable. Did you know that she had one of the nicest houses in Beverly Hills during the height of her career?
Hattie McDaniel's singing voice fueled her early career. She was the first African American woman to perform on national radio with her jazz band in 1915.
I totally agree! She is very greatly missed and there will never be anyone just like Hattie! I am so glad we have film of her.
She was a singer and dancer before the movies
Thank you Axe Truth 😂
Glad that he brought this to our attention!
@dizzyloo She will always shine. There will never be another like her. A Hollywood legend like they don't make anymore.
Hollywood didn’t “make” Hattie McDaniel. She was one tough and talented woman who climbed her way through white Hollywood - and lots of roles of the maid or mammy - to make it.
Thank you for sharing that information about Hattie. I think she had a great deal of respect from Hollywood even in that time period and she deserved nothing less now. Hattie and Stepin Fetchit took the roles they could get at the time and paved the way for others. Hattie once said, "It is better to play a housemaid than be one". I heard that she had one of the most beautiful homes in the Los Angeles area.
Yes it really is her singing! She was wonderful! I am going to be uploading some more of Hattie's singing in the next couple of days :) from the 1936 Showboat.
That is a great clip. She knew she had him wrapped around her finger. LOL Hattie McDaniel is the best.
Hattie life I would dare to say was an activist for civil rights. As you said, she had a wonderful acting career facing great odds that she would succeed. What a wonderful and talented lady!
I love her!
What an inspirational woman!
I love her
That is a famous remark that she made! She was one smart lady!
Classic indeed!
As the 1940s progressed, the servant roles McDaniel and other African American performers had so frequently played were subjected to increasingly strong criticism by groups such as the NAACP. In response to the NAACP's criticism, McDaniel replied, "I'd rather play a maid and make $7000 a week than be one for $7."
I adore her too. I will be posting some clips of her in the 1936 Showboat soon. She had one of the finest houses in Los Angeles too.
She knew everyone in the film business. I have a photo of a party at her home with Esther Williams, Janet Leigh among the guests. She was much liked in the film community but roles were difficult to come by. W hen she wasn't acting she ran her own catering business. She didn't like being idle.
Axe truth sent me here
She was fearless! There are photos of her and her lady friends leaving her beautiful home dressed to the nines ready to go out on a civil rights cause. The roles she played didn't at all reflect her sense of style, her sophistication, her wit or her brains. She was already a success as a child in Denver.
There are not too many adults of any types in kids lives these days that will tell them when they are wrong and kids do not seem to have consequences for their actions.
Was that really Hattie McDaniel singing. What a voice!
Wow, she had a great singing voice as well as being a great actress, did she have children?
HM a true great. RIP
@rdsweet That was his style. He was a funny guy and very well liked by everyone. He was quoted as saying "There are no strangers, just friends I haven't met".
I've Always loved her character as "Mammy"! I think that's the problem with alot of kids today is that they don't have that "Mammy" figure or even "Madea" in their lives to put them on the right track. And tell them straight when they are doing something wrong.
@GooglFascists Very interesting comment. I also agree that our country used to be more free than it is now. I also do agree that African-Americans should never be ashamed of their history. They have suffered much and have contributed much to American history and culture.
More free? As in when blacks weren’t allowed to vote? Or drink water from a “no Negroes, no Jews” water fountain? Or banks wouldn’t give them a mortgage? Or when women couldn’t vote? When exactly were people more free that you refer to?
I would say so. She had a great low singing range.
@grandslam1998 Amen!
Hattie was full of contradictions. Shy, but forward enough to get the career she got against all the odds.
Took the streetcar to work. Yes, the house was beautiful; there are photos. She was, by the way, quite the activist for black causes and quite the dresser.
@thebee135 She was the first black person, period, to win an academy award (or even get nominated).
I love the last scene.
I'll be waiting for them. Was she a contralto?
@peacheslovesjesus in 1934, $7000 was $114,518 in 2010. Just putting it out there for people.
@Hotshotter3000 correction. A ton of money. Not people....
@barbarasprague so even in the 40's the NAACP was irrelevant.
why is will singing loud and outta key. who are the 3 girls singing
@Useless2112 Ha, Ha! You made me laugh. Does sound like a republican. Mr. Useless, I don't think you are so useless after all :)