Women have always influenced film. Whether it has been as a leading lady or supporting actress, women have always been in film and contributed to the plots of many classic moments in film history. To kick off National Women’s History Month, here is an article that celebrates African American actresses and the films that we love them in.
Imitation of Life 1934 & 1959
The 1934 film stars Claudette Colbert as a wealthy White widow with the idea to package the pancake recipe of her Black housekeeper, Delilah, portrayed by Louise Beavers, after the two fall on hard times. The pancake recipe turned into pancake flour with Delilah as an Aunt Jemima-type character is a success.
And Delilah turns down the opportunity to share in any of the profits. However, things are not happily ever after. Delilah’s very light-skinned daughter, Peola, resents having to suffer the indignities that come with being Black and decides to pass for White. Eventually leaving home, Peola tells her mother, “Even if you see me on the street, pass me by.” Delilah dies of a broken heart and Peola shows up at her elaborate funeral begging her forgiveness.
The even more popular 1959 remake stars Lana Turner as a struggling actress and Juanita Moore as her friend and housekeeper Annie Johnson. There is still the story of the daughter who passes for White, Sarah Jane, who is cruel to her sick mother, at one point making her pretend to be her former nanny in front of her White friends.
The film was a huge success at the box office and Moore was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe, which she did not win. A clip from the film is featured in “8 Mile,” being watched by B. Rabbit’s mother.
Carmen Jones 1954
One of Black America’s most treasured films, “Carmen Jones,” also featured an all-Black cast that included Dorothy Dandridge in her signature role as Carmen as well as Harry Belafonte, Pearl Bailey, and Diahann Carroll in her film debut.
The film won the Golden Globe for Best Picture-Musical or Comedy, and Dorothy Dandridge was the first Black woman to be nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award. However, she did not win. Halle Berry, who portrayed Dandrige in the 1999 biopic, “Introducing Dorothy Dandrige,” won the first Best Actress Oscar by a Black woman for “Monster’s Ball.”
The film was adapted for television in 2001 as “Carmen: A Hip Hopera” starring Beyonce Knowles and Mekhi Phifer.
Lady Sings the Blues 1972 and Mahogany 1975, The Wiz 1978: The Diana Ross Trilogy
“You want my arm to fall off?” Classic line delivered by Billy Dee Williams to Diana Ross in “Lady Sings the Blues,” the story of a blues singer, based on Billie Holiday, who has incredible success and yet suffers from drug use. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Actress; it won no Oscars. However, the soundtrack (Diana Ross is Billie Holiday) was a Billboard #1 album.
“Mahogany” was Ross’ second foray into film. Directed by Berry Gordy, the film is about a poor fashion designer who becomes a model and then a fashion designer again. The movie received terrible reviews but was well attended by audiences and is still beloved by the Black community. The theme song, “Theme to Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)” was a #1 on the Billboard Top 100 and was covered by Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez and, in part, Slick Rick.
“The Wiz” was Diana’s final theatrical feature. The Black version of the 1939 feature film, “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Wiz” starts off in Harlem with a Dorothy who had “never been south of 125th Street.” The film is full of memorable characters and quotable lines but was blasted by critics as “expensive crud” and was considered a flop, earning less than half of what it took to make it. However, the film is one of Black America’s most beloved musicals and is #29 on Entertainment Weekly’s list of the 50 Top Cult Movies. The Wiz was nominated for 3 Academy Awards, winner of none.
Coffy 1973, Foxy Brown 1974, Sheba, Baby 1975: The Blaxploitation Era
Pam Grier was the baddest b***h way before Trina, portraying a vigilante who was “a whole lot of woman.” Pam, in her three most memorable films, is the queen of the Blaxploitation era. The 70s were great for Black film in that there were a ton of them made. However, Pam Grier’s characters were some of the first to portray women as fearless; she was almost a super heroine. Blessed with an Amazonian body that is the definition of “brick house,” Pam Grier is still an inspiration to a hip-hop culture that grew up watching her take down “jive turkeys.” Sparkle 1976
They had to have the hottest girl group name, Sister & the Sisters. Lonette McKee and Irene Cara shine in this cult classic. Not the most memorable film, however, Sparkle was a sweet movie with a banging soundtrack that was repackaged as one of Aretha Franklin’s most successful albums with Curtis Mayfield on production. The success of “Sparkle” opened the door for more musicals including the Broadway production of “Dreamgirls.”
“Sparkle” was to be remade in 2001 starring Aaliyah, who died just before filming was set to begin. Ashanti and Raven-Symone were both later considered for the lead role, however, at this point there are no plans to produce a “Sparkle” remake.
The Color Purple 1985
The tearjerker of all tearjerkers, “The Color Purple” was adapted from the Alice Walker novel of the same name. A box office smash, it was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and it won none of them. To this day, the loss at the Oscars is shrouded in controversy. “The Color Purple” has been remade into a Broadway musical which is currently touring around the country to sold-out audiences. With its classic scenes and memorable lines (“You sho is ugly!”) it will forever be remembered and treasured by African Americans.
Set It Off 1996
Four female bank robbers, Jada Pinkett, Vivica Fox, Queen Latifah and Kimberly Elise, play the most charismatic crooks you could ever want to meet. This was F. Gary Gray’s sophomore effort after “Friday” and it was a tremendous success. With one of the best shootout scenes in movie history, no one will forget how Queen Latifah went out with a bang. “Set It Off” is a cult classic and its rooftop scene has been parodied in numerous music videos. The soundtrack was also a banger with classics like “Don’t Let Go” and “Missing You.“
Monsters Ball 2001
The most controversial film on this list, Monsters Ball was hated by many African Americans because of it’s unique plot. The film centered on the relationship of the widow of a man who had been executed for murder, and the corrections officer who participated in that execution. The film featured Billy Bob Thornton, Heath Ledger, and Sean Combs, and was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Actress, which Halle Berry became the first Black woman to win.
Dreamgirls 2006
The feature film adaptation of the award -winning Broadway musical, “Dreamgirls”broke box office records when it debuted on Christmas Day in 2006. The film, which centers on the story of a girl group who rises to the top with the help of a ruthless record label owner, also discreetly addresses issues like color and size preference in the entertainment industry.
The film was nominated for numerous awards and Jennifer Hudson as Best Supporting Actress, became one of only 8 other actresses who won an Academy Award in their debut role.
