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You are here: Home / Archives for Dorothy Dandridge

Dorothy Dandridge and The Nicholas Brothers – “Chattanooga Choo Choo” (1941)

April 11, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

I could watch and listen to Dorothy Dandridge OR The Nicholas Brothers (Fayard and Harold) all day long… but when you put them all together, I’m ready to go well into the night.

Words can’t tell you how much I love this type of entertainment – the dancing, the singing, the smiles… If it were a drink, I’d get drunk on it!

In the video below (which I’ve watched at least 100 times in the last week), Dorothy Dandridge and the Nicholas Brothers perform Chattanooga Choo Choo.

Enjoy! THIS IS ENTERTAINMENT!


Filed Under: Dorothy Dandridge, The Nicholas Brothers Tagged With: Dorothy Dandridge, The Nicholas Brothers

Dorothy Dandridge and James Mason in The Decks Ran Red (Full Movie + Review)

April 9, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Dorothy Dandridge from The Decks Ran Red

As I said a few days ago on Hollywood Yesterday’s Twitter page, I am in the midst of a glorious Dorothy Dandridge movie binge. With TCM, DVDs, and YouTube, finding movies that were once all but impossible to find is relatively easy these days.

I’ve loved Dorothy Dandridge for YEARS – since I saw her in Carmen Jones on late night tv many, many moons ago. Finding her movies has been a bit of a challenge, but as I said, that has gotten a lot easier of late.

I recently watched The Decks Ran Red on TCM. When I saw it in the listing, I basically moved my entire day around to spend a few hours with Dorothy Dandridge.

Dorothy Dandridge from The Decks Ran Red

I honestly didn’t know what to expect from this film. To say I didn’t have my hopes up is an understatement. I don’t mind so much that you don’t hear about the movie often (I’ve found some of my favorite movies aren’t at all well known or “popular”). I also didn’t mind that the cast wasn’t filled with household names. Again, that often means buckus.

Maybe my knee-high hopes and expectations came from the fact that this movie had BOTH of the so-called strikes above going for it. You seldom (if ever) hear about this movie and the cast doesn’t exactly read like a who’s who among film stars. Aside from a few stars, even the most devoted film buffs would need to look up a few names.

I grabbed my popcorn and tea as a few of my cats found their favorite spots in the den. I settled into my favorite chair and readied myself for one of my favorite pastimes in the world – watching an old movie. I tried to push my low expectations aside… then one of the worst opening graphics I’ve ever seen in my life appeared on the screen! Someone apparently thought the splash of red in the word RED (as well as the drops of “blood”) would be pretty cool in an entirely black and white movie and graphic.

Heck, they may have even called it “the bee’s knees.” It wasn’t.

(That would be it in all of its glory below…)

The Decks Ran Red

I think even my cats were astounded.

Fortunately, the ugliness disappeared as fast as it came.

As a Dorothy Dandridge fan, I’m delighted to say the movie was good – darn good, in fact.  It overcame the low expectations and ridiculous graphic right off the bat.

By the end of the very first scene, I knew this would be a fun ride. You know how some movies take a while to win you over – sometimes as much as half the movie? The Decks Ran Red was one of those delicious rare treats where you know from the first scene that you’re about to have a great time.

There was suspense, outstanding acting, and a healthy dose of intrigue. Funny how you forget the word intrigue even exists until a great book or film comes along and reminds you how much you love it.

James Mason The Decks Ran Red

James Mason (possibly best-known from starring alongside Judy Garland in A Star is Born) is outstanding as Captain Edwin Rummill. It’s a role that would have been easy to “overplay” but Mason brilliantly stayed allowed the writing to be the star. I can’t say enough about him – he was just wonderful. You found yourself pulling for him in every conceivable way – ready to fight anyone (aside from Dorothy Dandridge, of course) who gets in his way.

PLOT:  Captain Rummill has been made a Ship’s Captain for the first time in his life. Very eager to prove himself, he sets out to do right by his ship and crew. He’s a great man, but is (of course only human), so he can’t help but notice the cook’s gorgeous wife, Mahia (played perfectly by Dorothy Dandridge) when she steps on board. He knows she will, undobutedly, cause trouble on a ship filled with (even more human than the Captain) men, but he doesn’t intervene.

Of course, trouble arises for Mahia and her husband.

There is more trouble than this aboard for the Captain. A few scoundrels on the crew plan and launch a violent mutiny.

Broderick Crawford  (the leader of the scoundrels) and Stuart Whitman (his number one guy) give wonderful performances, but make  no mistake about it, James Mason and Dorothy Dandridge are the stars of this surprisingly good film.

One of the things I really appreciate from the film is the fact that Dorothy Dandridge’s character played a pivotal role in the ending. She wasn’t, by any means, window decorations in this movie. She was vital to the entire movie and, as a huge Dorothy Dandridge fan… I applaud it long and loudly.

Stuart Whitman (Leroy) is an especially good actor – he plays a bad type beautifully. Like he was born to do so!  He’s one of those actors who, when you see him in a movie or an episode on tv, you think, “I know you! Why do I know you?! Where do I know you from…”

Took me about half the movie to realize that I know him from everywhere. Seriously, his filmography and guest-starring roles are very impressive.

The full episode of The Decks Ran Red is below. I think you’ll love it as much as I did.

INTRIGUE… DOROTHY… what more could you ask for?!

Filed Under: Dorothy Dandridge, Movie Reviews, Watch Movies Online Tagged With: Dorothy Dandridge, full movies online, Old Movie Reviews

Dorothy Dandridge: A Beautiful Star Who Out-Shined the Ugliness Around Her

March 26, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

Dorothy Dandridge Carmen Jones Poster

Dorothy Dandridge Carmen Jones Poster

I began Hollywood Yesterday in 2005 (13 years ago!) as a means of keeping the wonderful, glamorous stars of The Golden Age of Hollywood or “Old Hollywood” alive and shining bright. I’ve always loved old movies – even as a child, I preferred watching Shirley Temple and Abbott and Costello reruns to the newer movies and I’d rather have spent an afternoon watching Westerns with my dad than doing just about anything.

Over the years, my personal list of favorites has grown – but, make no mistake about it, my earliest favorites (Audrey, Barbara, James Stewart, Dean & Lewis, Abbott & Costello, Rita) are still among my absolute favorites.

The frustrating thing is, I can’t whittle my list down!

I see so many people say their favorite actress is Ginger Rogers or Ava Gardner and their favorite actor is Cary Grant or James Dean…. then when they ask my favorite actor/actress, I feel like telling them, “Well, sit down, this will take a hot minute!”

The thing is, when you love old movies and watch them with the vigor I do, you meet new favorites along the way. I only recently became really acquainted with Joan Crawford, for example. See, here’s the thing.. .to really appreciate a star, you have to have seen them in several roles and several movies. After my second Joan Crawford movie, she charged firmly into place among my favorites.

And looked downright elegant doing so!

The same thing happened years ago with one of my favorite actors, Glenn Ford. I’d seen him in The Violent men and, although I really liked him, I wasn’t ready to call him a favorite. Then I saw him in Gilda… and there he went – flying into place.

Rita? Heck, she’s always been there.

I recently had a particularly gorgeous actress/singer land firmly among the promised land – Dorothy Dandridge. I had, of course, heard of Dorothy (who hasn’t?!) and most certainly knew that she was a ridiculously beautiful lady. I, somehow, had never seen her in a single film she was in. Not one.

Now that I have, she has found a home among others who have a special place in my heart.

{Continued Below….}

Dorothy Dandridge was born November 9, 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio. Her mother was an entertainer and her father was a minister. Her family moved to California, where they had hopes of more opportunities – perhaps even in film.

Sadly (hello, understatement), this was during a time in history when people of color didn’t receive the respect or kindness they deserved. As both an avid Old Movie fan and History Buff, I despise reading about racism or the struggles men and women went through and the nastiness they endured. However, it is a part of history, so it has to be faced… even if it’s with a tear-stained face.

What I try to concentrate on is the drive, determination, faith, and inner beauty that these men and women had that saw them through unspeakable ignorance. The fact that names like Dorothy Dandridge, Jackie Robinson, Butterfly McQueen, Harry Belafonte, Sidney Potier,  Harriet Tubman (and so many more!) are fondly remembered when the vast majority of people who were ugly to them are long forgotten makes me smile -and I’m not even sorry if that sounds ugly.

In 1954, Dorothy appeared in the movie and role she is most associated with – Carmen Jones. She was so fantastic in this role, that even in a society still trying to find its humanity, she earned an Academy Award nomination. Unfortunately she lost out to Grace Kelly for her role in The Country Girl. You’ll get arguments from people on both sides of the fence on this one, but as someone who has seen both movies, and as someone who very much likes BOTH actresses, I have to say that I believe the Award should have gone to Dorothy. Grace Kelly was wonderful in The Country Girl but Dorothy was on a whole other level in Carmen Jones.

Yes, it was phenomenal to have been nominated but she could have (and in my opinion should have) won.

Ironically, in spite of this nomination, she didn’t get another role until Tamango (an Italian film) in 1958. She went on to make six more motion pictures, including standouts Island in the Sun in 1957 and Porgy and Bess in 1959.

She was only 42 when she died in 1965, with her last years being anything but glamorous. Many Dorothy Dandridge biographers and fans believed the actress suffered from depression and perhaps even bipolar disorder. To have overcome this AND the racism she faced all while looking like a smiling angel from above makes her one extra special lady.

I’ve been reading a great deal about Dorothy the past few weeks, and have placed an order for two biographies to dive in even deeper. I’ll let you in on something that troubles me. She is almost always compared to Marilyn Monroe… or mentioned in some way or fashion alongside Marilyn. I understand, to a certain extent, trying to compare beauties when they resemble one another. In fact, I’ve often been intrigued by the similarities between Vivien Leigh and Hedy Lamarr and between Claudette Colbert and Helen Hayes – when they were around the same age.  I can even get trying to gauge an actress’ popularity by measuring it against another star’s.

However, Dorothy Dandridge CAN and SHOULD be remembered and celebrated all on her own.

I’m excited by the number of classic movie fans I see on Twitter and Pinterest – and I love the fact that so many are very young…. with many twenty-somethings loving the Golden Age of Hollywood. I hope to see all of us listing Dorothy Dandridge in her rightful place, among the other beautiful and talented stars of her time. I certainly plan to do my part to help make it happen.

After all, she fits perfectly among the list of other first-name basis ladies: Audrey, Rita, Barbara, Dorothy, Ava, Joan, Marilyn… just where she belongs – among the stars.


Filed Under: Carmen Jones, Dorothy Dandridge, Getting to Know..., Musicals Tagged With: Carmen Jones, Dorothy Dandridge

Dorothy Dandridge and Louis Armstrong, Whatcha Say? (1944)

February 26, 2018 By Joi Leave a Comment

This performance just makes me smile ear to ear – love these performers both so much. I wish it were longer and I wish it were clearer… but sometimes short and sweet is just enough to lift your spirits.

Filed Under: Dorothy Dandridge, Louis Armstrong Tagged With: Dorothy Dandridge, Louis Armstrong

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Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein

My name is Joi (“Joy”) and I created Hollywood Yesterday as my personal tribute to Old Hollywood. It’s my effort to help keep the stars from Old Hollywood, Classic Television, and Old Radio Shows alive and shining forever. Old Hollywood was sheer magic and I see no reason for the magic to ever die! Read more about Hollywood Yesterday (and see my own favorites) here.

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See the Old Hollywood Actresses page for the index of Classic Hollywood Actresses and Classic TV Actresses.

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See the Old Hollywood Actors page for the index of Old Hollywood and Classic TV actors.

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Old Hollywood Movie Reviews

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There’s nothing quite like watching a movie from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Whether it’s a Musical, Western, Comedy, Romance, Film Noir, or Drama – if it’s on, I’m not too far away… with popcorn and raspberry tea in hand and a couple of cats nearby.

Below are a few Old Hollywood movie reviews I’ve done on the blog. There are, as you’d imagine, a lot more to come. – Joi (“Joy”)

We’re in the Money (Joan Blondell, Glenda Farrell)

The Naked Spur (James Stewart, Janet Leigh)

The Prince and the Showgirl (Marilyn Monroe, Laurence Olivier)

The White Sister (Helen Hayes, Clark Gable)

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Howard Keel, Jane Powell, Russ Tamblyn, Julie Newmar)

Rio Bravo (John Wayne, Dean Martin, Angie Dickinson, Ricky Nelson, Walter Brennan)

El Dorado (John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Caan, Charlene Holt, Michele Carey)

Rio Grande (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara)

Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein (What is it With Me and These Movies??)

The Stooge (Jerry Lewis’ favorite Lewis and Martin Movie… for good reason.)

Critic’s Choice (Hilarious movie starring Bob Hope and Lucille Ball)

To Please a Lady (Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck team up in a fast track movie)

Grand Hotel (Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore)

Hearts Divided (Marion Davies, Dick Powell)

The Quiet Man (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Barry Fitzgerald)

More Old Hollywood Movie Reviews

Classic Hollywood Books & Biographies (Reviews)

Maureen O'Hara's Autobiography 'Tis Herself

‘Tis Herself by Maureen O’Hara
I Know Where I'm Going (Katharine Hepburn Biography) and Princess

I Know Where I’m Going: Katharine Hepburn, A Personal Biography

Debbie Reynolds Unsinkable
Unsinkable: A Memoir by Debbie Reynolds

Ginger Rogers Autobiography - Ginger: My Story

Ginger by Ginger Rogers
Love, Lucy by Lucille Ball

Love, Lucy by Lucille Ball
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Dorothy Dandridge

Dorothy Dandridge Carmen Jones Poster

Getting to Know the Gorgeous and Talented Dorothy Dandridge

My Lucy Obsession

Lucille Ball

Find out just how much I (truly) Love Lucy in the Lucille Ball category. I’m warning you, I call it an obsession for a very good reason…

Barbara Stanwyck Quotes

Another personal absolute favorite of mine is Barbara Stanwyck. Not only was she beautiful and outrageously talented, she was exceptionally bright, charismatic, and colorful. This growing collection of Barbara Stanwyck Quotes will give you an idea of just how colorful she was!

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