Hattie McDaniel: Black Ambition, White Hollywood
Select Format
Select Condition 
Book Overview
From an accomplished historian comes an uncompromising look at the pervasive racism in Hollywood, as seen through the life and times of actress Hattie McDaniel Hattie McDaniel is best known for her performance as Mammy, the sassy foil to Scarlett O'Hara in the movie classic Gone with the Wind. Her powerful performance won her an Oscar® and bolstered the hopes of black Hollywood that the entertainment industry was finally ready to write more multidimensional, fully-realized roles for blacks. But despite this victory, and pleas by organizations such as the NAACP and SAG, roles for blacks continued to denigrate the African American experience. So Hattie McDaniel continued to play servants. "I'd rather play a maid then be a maid," Hattie McDaniel answered her critics, but her flip response belied a woman who was emotionally conflicted. Here, in an exhaustively detailed and incisive text by a talented historian, is the story of a valiant woman who defied the racism of her time.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0060514906
ISBN13:9780060514907
Release Date:September 2005
Publisher:Amistad Press
Length:368 Pages
Weight:1.48 lbs.
Dimensions:1.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
I love Hattie
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
This has got to be one of the best books written about someone. The book is well written and an enjoyment to read. I hope all get a chance to read such a book. thank you.
A WONDERFUL READ
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
THIS IS NOT JUST A BIOGRAPHY OF A FASCINATING WOMAN, IT IS ALSO A FASCINATING ACCOUNT OF THE PREJUDICE MS MCDANIEL FACED WITHIN THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY, AND FROM THE NAACP. A FIRST CLASS ACCOUNT OF A WOMAN I FELT I KNEW PERSONALLY AFTER THE LAST PAGE, AND AN EQUALLY WONDERFUL SOURCE OF INFORMATION ABOUT PREJUDICE AND RACIAL PROBLEMS IN ALL ITS FORMS. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT
Hattie McDaniel: A wonderful actress
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
Even though I enjoyed this book enormously, I felt that there was too much speculation and not enough concrete facts included in it. As an avid non-fiction reader, I believe that this is key in any good biography. I can appreciate the fact that because Miss. McDaniel was a black woman living in an era that was difficult for any woman, let alone a black woman. The author did let the reader know that there just wasn't alot of documentation on even acclaimed black people in that time in history. That is a shame. I loved Miss. McDaniel's retort to a black newspaper that critizied her for portraying mostly maids in film. She said that she "would rather portray a black maid in the movies and earn a good wage, than to actually work as a maid and earn a meager salary." You go Miss. McDaniel. Overall, a good read.
Sweeping Story of a Complex Lady
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
This well-written, even-handed biography not only tells you about Miss McDaniel, but also about where she came from and how she came to be the woman she was. The youngest daughter of a former slave and Union Army veteran, a woman of deep faith and love of family, and one of the hardest working people I've ever read about. A lot of time is spent in discussion of Miss McDaniel's father's fight for his rightful pension after the Civil War, and it gives one a great deal of insight into the family's tenacity. This knowledge informs as to why McDaniel's fight with Walter White was so bitter and long-lasting. The lady fought for and earned her place in Cinema History, and Jill Watts documents her journey in an informative and interesting way.
Beautiful, intelligent book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
The context of this book is sweeping -- slavery, the Civil War, American culture, the Hollywood system, the history of a family and the struggles of a gifted woman. The complexity and depth of this biography are compelling, as was Hattie McDaniel. A beautiful, intelligent book.
Copyright © 2025 Thriftbooks.com
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information | Cookie Policy | Cookie Preferences | Accessibility Statement
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
