Dorothy Dandridge

by Earl Mills

Book Overview

A biography of the first African-American woman to be nominated for an Oscar, written by her former manager, discusses her stuggle to succeed in an all-white profession and her turbulent personal... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 087067899X
• ISBN13: 9780870678998
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Holloway House Publishing Company
• Length: 238 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.6" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

poor pretty colored girl in Hollywood

Behind every great diva is a gay man, so I would like to know more about Joel Fluellen who probably knew Dorothy Dandridge better than all the rest combined. Geri Branton say Mills was weak, but he got work for Dorothy when she needed it the most while Otto "Bulldog" Preminger never delivered any decent roles after "Carmen Jones". Dorothy foolishly sabotaged her career by firing Mills and relying on advice from Hollywood big shot Preminger who didn't love or respect her...and treated her like a slut on the set of "Porgy and Bess". As much as I love Dorothy she made some big stupid mistakes - like marrying Jack Dennison, an obvious gold digger. Then she allowed him drag her down by insisting she sing in the beer joint she bought for him. Why would she tolerate physical and mental abuse from ALL the men in her life unless she was filled with self-hate? I have never ever seen any evidence that Harold Nicholas supported his brain damaged daughter even though he enjoyed a long successful career. Why would he allow his daughter to be placed in a state mental institution after Dorothy's bankruptcy? Didn't he care what happened to his daughter? Why didn't Dorothy take this derilect delinquent father to court? Dorothy was bigger than Lena Horne yet she died broke while Lena is still living high on the hog in her old age. We do pay for the choices we make sooner or later.

Dorothy Dandridge

The Book Dorothy Dandridge Gives an in dept understanding of Dorothy Dandridge's life as an actor an singer the book also explains all of the troubles that Dorothy has faced and overcame such as racism and jealousy and still she has managed to become the first African American to be nominated foe an academy award. One thing that I liked about this book is that how it shows the determination that Dorothy Dandridge has had throughout her life it shows the ups and downs that she has faced and how she strives to reach Stardom. In conclusion I would recommend this book to people who seeks guidance in their life and likes to use other peoples life stories to inspire them to better themselves.

Memories from a friend

Putting the best light on his friend, Mills presents a good recitation of facts that really begins when Dandridge was first "discovered". More information comes from the additional material by Halle Berry and others at the end of the book. Mills has a bias toward the actress that is probably love. He presents primarily good and inspirational items about Dandridge and leaves out the other. I would have prefered a more objective read, but this is one perspective. There are not too many books about this lady, so a really objective one would be good.The book reads quickly, holds your interest, (although it didn't "grip" it) and the pictures are an added bonus.I recommend it for anyone looking at this actress, the African American experience in film or for a light read.

A Satisfying Biography

Dorothy Dandrige's friends hated this book and I can't understand why. Earl Mills, knew her as well, if not better, than anyone else and his book does a fine job in telling the reader why DD was so tragic. The humiliations, the anger, the stupidity that she had to put up with from Hollywood and America are all spelled out without going into hundreds of pages. The story of DD's ghastly marriages and her retarded daughter were quite moving. This book is respectful of DDs memory and is clearly written by a man who loved her and was able to see the real woman behind the star. Frankly, I enjoyed this far more than I did the huge minutiae laden book by Donald Bogle.

A little girl lost -- one of Hollywoods brightest stars

I highly recommend this book because it written by someone who cared for Dorothy deeply. He was there during most of the events surrounding her stardom and can give an account of these events. It is much like Marilyn Monroe's tragic life, except Dorothy had so much talent and had to deal with all of the discrimination. I think anyone interested in learning about her life and rise to stardom would enjoy this book.