Introducing Dorothy Dandridge

Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999)

This biography of Dorothy Dandridge follows her career through early days on the club circuit with her sister to her turn in movies, including becoming the first black actress to win a Best Actress Nomination in 1954 for "Carmen Jones", to her final demise to prescription drugs, which was debated whether it was suicide or accidental. Brent Spiner plays her faithful manager who stood beside her through all of the roller coaster of her career. The film also examines her love affair with director Otto Preminger, which is shown to have probably initially helped her career, but later probably led her to some wrong decisions. The film also examines 50's racism as the black star is not permitted to use white bathrooms or the Vegas pool. In the first situation, she was given a bathroom cup to pee in. In the second situation, the hotel drained the pool and scrubbed it after she dared put her foot in the water.

Keywords: 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, abuse, academy-award, actor, actress, adultery, african-american, alcoholism

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Quotes:

Harold Nicholas: Dottie, it's a whole different ballgame over there! They don't know the difference between black and white, and when they do, it's because they're treating us better than they treat their own!::Dorothy Dandridge: I can't go to Paris! Lynn is going to need special care!::Harold Nicholas: Then get special care.::Dorothy Dandridge: Not in an institution!::Harold Nicholas: Dottie, she doesn't even know we're here.::Dorothy Dandridge: I'm her mother. And you are her father.::Harold Nicholas: And I married you. Not this.::Dorothy Dandridge: Well, I am this! What are you?::Harold Nicholas: I'm Harold Nicholas, of the Nicholas Brothers. And maybe that's all I'm supposed to be.

Earl Mills: [notices thick makeup on Dorothy's face] What happened to your face?::Dorothy Dandridge: Guess I wasn't black enough to lead the tribe.

Vivian Dandridge: You think because you've become a big film star by shaking your tail, people aren't going to treat you like you're colored? Well, I'm something too! I'm something too! I'm more than Dorothy Dandridge's *big sister*! Didn't you ever notice that? Didn't you?

Dorothy Dandridge: Have you seen my man? That Carmen Jones snatched him from me and I'm all lost over what to do about it. Can't decide. If it's better I follow him up to the Windy City, or should I wait? Wait for him to come back to his happy-hearted home? Tell me what to do... I'm Cindy Lou.::Otto Preminger: The hell you are.

Dorothy Dandridge: Harold says I'm the most beautiful girl in the world.::Geri Nicholas: I'd rather be smart than beautiful.::Dorothy Dandridge: Well, I'd rather be beautiful.::Geri Nicholas: Beauty fades. A woman gets old.::Dorothy Dandridge: Not me. I'm staying young and beautiful unti the day I die!

Dorothy Dandridge: Have you ever caught sight of yourself by accident and you see yourself from the outside? That's who you really are.

Mocambo Emcee: Ladies and gentlemen, the delicious... the divine... the delightful... Dorothy Danridge!

Dorothy Dandridge: [angrily] Tonight, I'll take my bows and exit stage rear, go through the kitchen, past the casino, around the pool, which I'm apparently too dirty to swim in, up the service elevator, into my luxurious penthouse, sip my complimentary champagne, and pee in a brand new Dixie cup!::Earl Mills: I take that walk with you every night, you know.::Dorothy Dandridge: But the difference is, Earl, you don't HAVE to!

Dorothy Dandridge: [after Otto attends the premiere of "Carmen Jones" with his wife] How dare you parade her in front of me.::Otto Preminger: I didn't know she was coming.::Dorothy Dandridge: It was *my* night, Otto! You won't be seen with me in public, but then I have to watch you traipse around with her!::Otto Preminger: She's my wife.::Dorothy Dandridge: Tell her to leave. You have an understanding, remember? She openly makes the rounds with another man, Otto, and you don't complain about it! So, why couldn't you spend the evening with me?

Dorothy Dandridge

Born: 1922-11-09

Died: 1965-09-08