Pearl Bailey | Hollywood Yesterday

The Wonderful Pearl Bailey

As a Classic Film, Music, and TV fanatic (a raging, out of controlled, unbridled one at that), I spend a LOT of time watching old movies/tv classics, listening to “oldies” and old radio shows, and reading all I can about the men and women who brought the magic to life.

It’s as though I have entered myself in lifetime courses in film history and music study. I don’t have to pay anyone any tuition (not that the books come free, mind you) and I never have to take any exams or write any papers.

The only way to be a film and music historian… on your own terms.

One of my favorite stars to read about and spend time with (what I call researching someone… makes it seem more personal) is Pearl Bailey. I can’t help but believe we would have gotten along famously in real life.

While Pearl was obviously a very good looking lady and extremely talented (singing and acting), she was also very charismatic and colorful – making her even more fascinating to me. Quite frankly some stars can be a little on the dull side, and since my attention span can often be as short as a grasshopper’s nose, I have zero tolerance for “dull.”

In fact, if there is someone you don’t see often on Hollywood Yesterday or see me talk about much on Twitter – odds are they bore me! Sorry, but it is what it is. If someone lacks enough personality, pop, or pizzazz, they lose me.

I highly doubt Pearl Bailey ever bored anyone in her life. She was the sort of person who… even if you happened to disagree with something they said… you absolutely LOVE that they said it!

I also love that she had interests outside of music and acting. One of my favorite books in my collection is Pearl’s Kitchen: An Extraordinary Cookbook (Amazon link). She was an avid cook and a darn good one, at that. Her personality comes through each page, too, which is an extraordinary thing.

Porgy and Bess (1959)

There are All Star casts, then there are ALL STAR casts! Porgy and Bess (1959) certainly had the latter: Dorothy Dandridge, Sidney Poitier, Sammy Davis Jr, Pearl Bailey, Brock Peters, and Claude Akins.

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Porgy and Bess – Pearl Bailey and Sammy Davis, Jr.

This film was one of Brock Peters’ first movies. He also starred alongside Dorothy Dandridge in Carmen Jones (1954) under the name Broc Peters in the role of Sergeant Brown.

The acting and directing (Otto Preminger) in Porgy and Bess is outstanding – as you’d expect from this lineup! The only regrets I have after watching this film are…

Due to the times, these absolutely amazing stars weren’t given the roles, credit, money, or attention they deserved. When you see them performing and know that they were every bit as talented as other stars of their time, it can kind of make you crazy. Before I ever allow it to make me completely crazy (crazier???), I remember that these stars aren’t just legends, they were trailblazers – and few things in life are as cool as blazing a trail for others to travel upon. These stars did the heavy lifting and I admire the heck out of each of them.
How could Sammy Davis, Jr. and Pearl Bailey (names synonymous with PERSONALITY!) not have been inserted into more films?! Each brought so much life, energy, and fun to everything they ever touched… you’d think more people would have insisted they bring all of that to more parties! They’re two off my Watch Anythings, as in I will watch anything they’re associated with – so, as you’d imagine, I’m in Heaven when watching this movie. The two of them in one place is almost more charisma than anyone can take!
Many people involved with this movie deserved Oscars – there are just so many wonderful performances.
I cannot seem to get my hands on a dvd for the life of me! I keep watching all of my favorite sources, but so far a copy simply cannot be found.

Sadly, the movie is next to impossible to find on television. If you ever get the opportunity to watch it, be sure to check it out. The performances will blow you away.