"I'd rather play a maid than be one"
February 7, 2005 1:31 PM Subscribe
Call her Madame. Among the old-timers, the story went like this: a woman known to everyone as Madame came to California from Kentucky with her children and her husband. But once they were in the Gold Rush State, her husband left her. Desperate to find work, she introduced herself to a movie director named D. W. Griffith. He not only cast her in his movie, but the two became friends for life. And with this woman, called Madame Sul-Te-Wan, what we now call Black Hollywood began -- as a new book by historian Donald Bogle explains.
(more inside)
Amazing post, matteo... Totally fascinating people (Madame Sul Te Wan, of course, but also Biddy Mason and Maria Rita Valdez de Villa), and great info on the origins of L.A. and Hollywood as well. Very interesting that Dorothy Dandridge's family lineage of entertainers stretches all the way back to her great-grandmother, Cleo de Londa.
And of course, now I want to know much more about Madame Sul Te Wan, who, I find, was in the 1934 "Imitation of Life" — you can see her in a photo still on this page, fifth entry. (This is quite an interesting classic films site, btw, with a nice section on Black Hollywood — check out the rare film posters featuring African American actors.)
posted by taz at 9:57 PM on February 7, 2005
And of course, now I want to know much more about Madame Sul Te Wan, who, I find, was in the 1934 "Imitation of Life" — you can see her in a photo still on this page, fifth entry. (This is quite an interesting classic films site, btw, with a nice section on Black Hollywood — check out the rare film posters featuring African American actors.)
posted by taz at 9:57 PM on February 7, 2005
Just another slightly related, interesting, gossipy tidbit, by the way: this page, at least, suggests that Ruby's friend Geneva Wiiliams, who helped manage young Dorothy and the "Dandridge Sisters", was actually Ruby Dandridge's lover. Both Ruby and Geneva acted in the 1943 film Saratoga Trunk (NYT link) with Ingrid Bergman and Gary Cooper.
posted by taz at 10:13 PM on February 7, 2005
posted by taz at 10:13 PM on February 7, 2005
Excellent post, very interesting film history & well researched as always - thanks, matteo - and thanks to your strong supporting cast member, the ever-wonderful taz.
posted by madamjujujive at 11:40 PM on February 7, 2005
posted by madamjujujive at 11:40 PM on February 7, 2005
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posted by matteo at 1:34 PM on February 7, 2005