111-635: Dorothy Jean Dandridge (November 9, 1922 – September 8, 1965) was an American actress and singer. She was the first African-American film star to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for Carmen Jones (1954). Dandridge had also performed as a vocalist in venues such as the Cotton Club and the Apollo Theater . During her early career, she performed as a part of the Wonder Children, later
222-561: A Highland Park Music Theater production of West Side Story , but she lasted only two performances due to illness. On 31 March 1962, Dandridge sang in the Le Paon Rouge nightclub of the Phoenicia Intercontinental as the guest of honor. By 1963, Dandridge's popularity had dwindled, and she was performing in nightclubs to pay off debts from numerous lawsuits. She filed for bankruptcy and went into seclusion before appearing as
333-478: A leading role in a film released that year. The award is traditionally presented by the previous year's Best Actor winner. The Best Actress award has been presented 97 times, to 79 actresses. The first winner was Janet Gaynor for her roles in 7th Heaven , Street Angel , and Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans . The most recent winner is Emma Stone for her role in Poor Things (2023); she had previously won
444-481: A "wonderful, emotional actress"—which the trailer promoted. The film, which centered on a teacher's struggles to reach a troubled student, marked the first time Dandridge appeared in a film opposite Harry Belafonte . She continued her performances in nightclubs and appeared on multiple early television variety shows, including Ed Sullivan 's Toast of the Town . In 1953, a talent search was conducted as 20th Century Fox began
555-523: A composer, Basie is known for writing such jazz standards as " Blue and Sentimental ", " Jumpin' at the Woodside " and " One O'Clock Jump ". William Basie was born to Lillian (Childs) and Harvey Lee Basie in Red Bank, New Jersey . His father worked as a coachman and caretaker for a wealthy judge. After automobiles replaced horses, his father became a groundskeeper and handyman for several wealthy families in
666-481: A crowd of 15,000. Count Basie and his Orchestra played at the tenth Cavalcade of Jazz concert also at Wrigley Field on June 20, 1954. He played along with The Flairs , Christine Kittrell , Lamp Lighters, Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five , Ruth Brown , and Perez Prado and his Orchestra. The big band era appeared to have ended after the war, and Basie disbanded the group. For a while, he performed in combos, sometimes stretched to an orchestra. In 1950, he headlined
777-519: A home in the new whites-only neighborhood of Addisleigh Park in 1946 on Adelaide Road and 175th Street, St. Albans, Queens . On April 11, 1983, Catherine Basie died of heart disease at the couple's home in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. She was 67 years old. Daughter Diane Basie died October 15, 2022, of a heart attack. Count Basie died of pancreatic cancer in Hollywood, Florida , on April 26, 1984, at
888-702: A hotbed of jazz, where he lived down the block from the Alhambra Theater . Early after his arrival, he bumped into Sonny Greer , who was by then the drummer for the Washingtonians, Duke Ellington 's early band. Soon, Basie met many of the Harlem musicians who were "making the scene," including Willie "the Lion" Smith and James P. Johnson . Basie toured in several acts between 1925 and 1927, including Katie Krippen and Her Kiddies (featuring singer Katie Crippen ) as part of
999-460: A jewel robbery and its aftermath. Some pre-release publicity invited the belief that Dandridge received her first, and only, on-screen kiss with a white actor (Howard) in this film. She had kissed her white costar in Tamango , but Dandridge and Howard, under László Benedek 's direction, created some strongly understated sexual tension. The film was withheld from a theatrical release abroad until 1960, and
1110-473: A long engagement at the Grand Terrace Cafe . Right from the start, Basie's band was known for its rhythm section. Another Basie innovation was the use of two tenor saxophone players; at the time, most bands had just one. When Young complained of Herschel Evans ' vibrato, Basie placed them on either side of the alto players, and soon had the tenor players engaged in "duels". Many other bands later adapted
1221-507: A long list of inspired and talented jazz soloists. Count Basie was the featured artist at the first Cavalcade of Jazz concert held at Wrigley Field on September 23, 1945, which was produced by Leon Hefflin Sr. Al Jarvis was the Emcee and other artists to appear on stage were Joe Liggins and his Honeydrippers, The Peters Sisters , Slim and Bam , Valaida Snow , and Big Joe Turner . They played to
SECTION 10
#17328921755421332-486: A loss of almost $ 2 million. Continuous script rewrites and other problems prolonged the production and ultimately pushed the film over its original budget. When it was released in June 1959, it drew mixed reviews and failed financially. In 1959, Dandridge starred in the low-budget British thriller Malaga , in which she played a European woman with an Italian name. The film, co-starring Trevor Howard and Edmund Purdom , plotted
1443-442: A lot of members turn over, and the band worked many play dates with lower pay. Dance hall bookings were down sharply as swing began to fade, the effects of the musicians' strikes of 1942–44 and 1948 began to be felt, and the public's taste grew for singers . Basie occasionally lost some key soloists. However, throughout the 1940s, he maintained a big band that possessed an infectious rhythmic beat, an enthusiastic team spirit, and
1554-522: A lounge act in Las Vegas in 1964. In 1965, she attempted to revive her acting career. Dandridge signed a new contract in Mexico and was scheduled to appear as the female lead in a film about outlaw Johnny Ringo . Dandridge was a Democrat , and she supported the campaign of Adlai Stevenson during the 1952 presidential election . Having developed an interest in activism because of the racism she encountered in
1665-640: A major cross-country tour, including their first West Coast dates. A few months later, Basie quit MCA and signed with the William Morris Agency, who got them better fees. On February 19, 1940, Count Basie and his Orchestra opened a four-week engagement at Southland in Boston, and they broadcast over the radio on February 20. On the West Coast, in 1942 the band did a spot in Reveille With Beverly ,
1776-475: A mistrial. The judge ordered Hollywood Research to stop publishing questionable stories based on paid tips. This curtailed invasive tabloid journalism until 1971, when Generoso Pope, Jr. moved the National Enquirer , which he owned, from New York to Lantana, Florida, where there were fewer restrictions. In 1957, after a three-year absence from film acting, Dandridge agreed to appear in the film Island in
1887-437: A musical film starring Ann Miller , and a "Command Performance" for Armed Forces Radio , with Hollywood stars Clark Gable , Bette Davis , Carmen Miranda , Jerry Colonna , and the singer Dinah Shore . Other minor movie spots followed, including Choo Choo Swing , Crazy House , Top Man , Stage Door Canteen , and Hit Parade of 1943 . They also continued to record for OKeh Records and Columbia Records. The war years caused
1998-499: A mutiny. Despite being universally panned, the film generated a respectable audience. During production, fellow actor Stuart Whitman said that he noted her strength as she was going through personal turmoil. In late 1958, Dandridge accepted producer Samuel Goldwyn 's offer to star alongside Sidney Poitier in Goldwyn's forthcoming production of Porgy and Bess . This was her first major Hollywood film in five years. Her acceptance angered
2109-608: A recently sustained right foot fracture. On September 12, 1965, a private funeral service was held at the Little Chapel of the Flowers ; Dandridge was cremated and her ashes interred in the Freedom Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park . In 1997 a tribute to Dandridge was aired on the talk show Charlie Rose , featuring biographer Donald Bogle and actors Ruby Dee and Cicely Tyson , who acknowledge Dandridge's contribution to
2220-417: A scandalous incident that it claimed occurred in 1950. In May 1957, she accepted an out-of-court settlement of $ 10,000. Dandridge was one of two Hollywood stars who testified at the 1957 criminal libel trial of Hollywood Research, Inc., the company that published Confidential and other tabloid magazines from that era. Four months after her out-of-court settlement for $ 10,000, she and actress Maureen O'Hara ,
2331-686: A strong emphasis on her physical attributes. She appeared occasionally in films and on the stage throughout the rest of the 1940s and performed as a band singer in films with Count Basie in Hit Parade of 1943 and Louis Armstrong , Atlantic City (1944) and Pillow to Post (1945). In 1944, Dandridge was featured as the star in "Sweet 'N Hot" , a musical held at the Mayan theatre in Los Angeles and produced by Leon Hefflin Sr. , which played nightly for 11 weeks. In 1951, Dandridge appeared as Melmendi, Queen of
SECTION 20
#17328921755422442-682: A supporting role in The Harlem Globetrotters (1951). In May 1951, Dandridge had a spectacular opening at the Mocambo nightclub in West Hollywood, the biggest in its history. after assiduous coaching and decisions on style with pianist Phil Moore . This success seemed a new turn to her career, and she appeared in New York and at Café de Paris in London with equal success. In a return engagement at
2553-744: A television special with Fred Astaire , featuring a dance solo to " Sweet Georgia Brown ", followed in January 1961 by Basie performing at one of the five John F. Kennedy Inaugural Balls. That summer, Basie and Duke Ellington combined forces for the recording First Time! The Count Meets the Duke , each providing four numbers from their play books. During the balance of the 1960s, the band kept active with tours, recordings, television appearances, festivals, Las Vegas shows, and travel abroad, including cruises. Some time around 1964, Basie adopted his trademark yachting cap. Through steady changes in personnel, Basie led
2664-480: A venue also opened to several other black entertainers. In 1959, Basie's band recorded a "greatest hits" double album The Count Basie Story ( Frank Foster , arranger), and Basie/Eckstine Incorporated , an album featuring Billy Eckstine, Quincy Jones (as arranger) and the Count Basie Orchestra. It was released by Roulette Records, then later reissued by Capitol Records. Later that year, Basie appeared on
2775-615: Is referred to as the Dorothy Dandridge of her time, citing the star power that Dandridge wielded in her day. In 2020, Laura Harrier portrayed Camille Washington in the miniseries Hollywood . She is an up-and-coming actress during the Hollywood Golden Age in the post-World War II era, a character largely inspired by and based on Dandridge. Dandridge first gained fame as a solo artist from her performances in nightclubs, usually accompanied by Phil Moore on piano. Although she
2886-437: The 3rd Academy Awards , held in 1930, only one film was cited in each winner's award regardless of how many they were eligible to be considered for during that span. The current system, in which an actress is nominated for a specific performance in a single film, was introduced for the 4th Academy Awards . Starting with the 9th Academy Awards , held in 1937, the category was limited to a maximum five nominations per year. In
2997-646: The Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Monster's Ball , she dedicated the "moment [to] Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne , Diahann Carroll ." Both Dandridge and Berry were from Cleveland, Ohio, and they were born in the same hospital. Dandridge was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in January 1984. She is featured as the most prominent figure in a mural on an exterior wall of Hollywood High School . A statue of Dandridge, designed by Catherine Hardwicke , honors multi-ethnic leading ladies of
3108-825: The Cotton Club and the Apollo Theater . Dandridge first appeared on screen at the age of 13 in a small part in an Our Gang comedy short, " Teacher's Beau " in 1935. As a part of The Dandridge Sisters, she also appeared in The Big Broadcast of 1936 (1936) with Bill "Bojangles" Robinson , A Day at the Races with the Marx Brothers , and It Can't Last Forever (both 1937) with the Jackson Brothers. Although these appearances were relatively minor, Dandridge continued to earn recognition through continuing her nightclub performances nationwide. Dandridge's first credited film role
3219-524: The Famous Door , a mid-town nightspot with a CBS network feed and air conditioning , which Hammond was said to have bought the club in return for their booking Basie steadily throughout the summer of 1938. Their fame took a huge leap. Adding to their play book, Basie received arrangements from Jimmy Mundy (who had also worked with Benny Goodman and Earl Hines ), particularly for "Cherokee", "Easy Does It", and "Super Chief". In 1939, Basie and his band made
3330-645: The Hippity Hop show; on the Keith , the Columbia Burlesque , and the Theater Owners Booking Association (T.O.B.A.) vaudeville circuits; and as a soloist and accompanist to blues singer Gonzelle White as well as Crippen. His touring took him to Kansas City , St. Louis , New Orleans , and Chicago . Throughout his tours, Basie met many jazz musicians, including Louis Armstrong . Before he
3441-574: The Universal-International short film "Sugar Chile" Robinson, Billie Holiday, Count Basie and His Sextet . He reformed his group as a 16-piece orchestra in 1952. This group was eventually called the New Testament band. Basie credited Billy Eckstine , a top male vocalist of the time, for prompting his return to Big Band. He said that Norman Granz got them into the Birdland club and promoted
Dorothy Dandridge - Misplaced Pages Continue
3552-599: The soundies material, assured her earning the production's title role. The remainder of the cast was completed with Harry Belafonte , Pearl Bailey , Brock Peters , Diahann Carroll , Madame Sul-Te-Wan (uncredited), Olga James, and Joe Adams. Despite Dandridge's recognition as a singer, the studio wanted an operatic voice, so Dandridge's voice was dubbed by white mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne . Carmen Jones opened to favorable reviews and strong box-office returns on October 28, 1954, earning $ 70,000 during its first week and $ 50,000 during its second. Dandridge's performance as
3663-539: The 1940 census. He married Catherine Morgan on July 13, 1940, in the King County courthouse in Seattle, Washington. In 1942, they moved to Queens. Their only child, Diane, was born February 6, 1944. She was born with cerebral palsy and the doctors claimed she would never walk. The couple kept her and cared deeply for her, and especially through her mother's tutelage, Diane learned not only to walk but to swim. The Basies bought
3774-489: The 1955 Oscar ceremony, Dandridge presented the Academy Award for Film Editing to On the Waterfront editor Gene Milford. On February 15, 1955, Dandridge signed a three-movie deal with 20th Century Fox starting at $ 75,000 a film. Darryl F. Zanuck , the studio head, had suggested the studio sign Dandridge to a contract. Zanuck had big plans for her, hoping she would become the first African-American screen icon. He purchased
3885-443: The 7th ceremony held in 1935, the period of eligibility became the full previous calendar year from January 1 to December 31. The following individuals received two or more Best Actress awards: The following individuals received three or more Best Actress nominations: Winners are in bold . The following were nominated for their portrayals of the same fictional or non-fictional character in separate films (including variations of
3996-629: The Ashuba in Tarzan's Peril , starring Lex Barker and Virginia Huston . When the Motion Picture Production Code objected to the film's "blunt sexuality", Dandridge received considerable attention for wearing what was considered "provocatively revealing" clothing. The continuing publicity buzz surrounding Dandridge's wardrobe got her featured on the April 1951 cover of Ebony . The same year, she had
4107-490: The Band. Basie also toured with Bennett, including a date at Carnegie Hall . He also recorded with Sammy Davis Jr. , Bing Crosby , and Sarah Vaughan . One of Basie's biggest regrets was never recording with Louis Armstrong , though they shared the same bill several times. In 1968, Basie and his Band recorded an album with Jackie Wilson titled Manufacturers of Soul . Count Basie introduced several generations of listeners to
4218-486: The Basie Orchestra in the mid-1970s, and Fitzgerald and Basie also met on the 1979 albums A Classy Pair , Digital III at Montreux , and A Perfect Match , the last two also recorded live at Montreux. In addition to Quincy Jones , Basie was using arrangers such as Benny Carter (Kansas City Suite) , Neal Hefti ( The Atomic Mr Basie ) , and Sammy Nestico (Basie-Straight Ahead) . Frank Sinatra recorded for
4329-462: The Basie band a boost and wider recognition. Soon after, Benny Goodman recorded their signature " One O'Clock Jump " with his band. A few months later, Holiday left for Artie Shaw 's band. Hammond introduced Helen Humes , whom Basie hired; she stayed with Basie for four years. When Eddie Durham left for Glenn Miller 's orchestra, he was replaced by Dicky Wells . Basie's 14-man band began playing at
4440-515: The Basie orchestra, in a charity benefit for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children . Sinatra later said of this concert "I have a funny feeling that those two nights could have been my finest hour, really. It went so well; it was so thrilling and exciting". Basie also recorded with Tony Bennett in the late 1950s. Their albums together included In Person and Strike Up
4551-499: The Big Band sound and left an influential catalog. Basie is remembered by many who worked for him as being considerate of musicians and their opinions, modest, relaxed, fun-loving, dryly witty, and always enthusiastic about his music. In his autobiography, he wrote, "I think the band can really swing when it swings easy , when it can just play along like you are cutting butter." Count Basie made most of his albums with his big band. See
Dorothy Dandridge - Misplaced Pages Continue
4662-567: The Blues) " becoming a huge hit. With Billy Eckstine on the album Basie/Eckstine Incorporated , in 1959. Ella Fitzgerald made some memorable recordings with Basie, including the 1963 album Ella and Basie! . With the New Testament Basie band in full swing, and arrangements written by a youthful Quincy Jones , this album proved a swinging respite from her Songbook recordings and constant touring she did during this period. She even toured with
4773-614: The Dandridge Sisters , and appeared in a succession of films, usually in uncredited roles. In 1959, Dandridge was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Porgy and Bess . She was the subject of the 1999 biographical film Introducing Dorothy Dandridge , with Halle Berry portraying her. She had been recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame . Dandridge was married and divorced twice, first to dancer Harold Nicholas (the father of her daughter, Harolyn Suzanne) and then to hotel owner Jack Denison. Dandridge died in 1965 at
4884-620: The Mocambo in December 1952, a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio agent saw Dandridge and recommended to production chief Dore Schary that she might make an appearance as a club singer, in her own name, in Remains to Be Seen , a film already in production. Her acquaintance with Dore Schary resulted in his casting Dandridge as Jane Richards in Bright Road —her first starring role, in which she expressed herself as
4995-636: The Palace Theater in Red Bank, where doing occasional chores gained him free admission to performances. He quickly learned to improvise music appropriate to the acts and the silent movies . Though a natural at the piano, Basie preferred drums. Discouraged by the obvious talents of Sonny Greer , who also lived in Red Bank and became Duke Ellington 's drummer in 1919, Basie switched to piano exclusively at age 15. Greer and Basie played together in venues until Greer set out on his professional career. By then, Basie
5106-463: The Reno Club and often performed for a live radio broadcast. During a broadcast the announcer wanted to give Basie's name some style, so he called him "Count". It positioned him with Earl Hines , as well as Duke Ellington. Basie's new band played at the Reno Club and sometimes were broadcast on local radio. Late one night with time to fill, the band started improvising. Basie liked the results and named
5217-596: The Sun opposite an ensemble cast, including James Mason , Harry Belafonte , Joan Fontaine , Joan Collins , and Stephen Boyd . Dandridge portrayed a local West Indian shop clerk who has an interracial love affair with a white man, played by John Justin . The film was controversial for its time period, and the script was revised numerous times to accommodate the Motion Picture Production Code requirements about interracial relationships. Dandridge and Justin did have an extremely intimate, loving embrace that succeeded in not breaching
5328-756: The Woodside Hotel in Harlem their base (they often rehearsed in its basement). Soon, they were booked at the Roseland Ballroom for the Christmas show. Basie recalled a review, which said something like, "We caught the great Count Basie band which is supposed to be so hot he was going to come in here and set the Roseland on fire. Well, the Roseland is still standing". Compared to the reigning band of Fletcher Henderson , Basie's band lacked polish and presentation. The producer John Hammond continued to advise and encourage
5439-450: The actors branch of AMPAS; winners are selected by a plurality vote from the entire eligible voting members of the Academy. In the first three years of the awards, actors and actresses were nominated as the best individuals in their categories. At that time, all of their work during the qualifying period (as many as three films, in some cases) was listed after the award. Despite this, at
5550-681: The addition of tenor saxophonist Ben Webster . When the band voted Moten out, Basie took over for several months, calling the group Count Basie and his Cherry Blossoms. When his own band folded, he rejoined Moten with a newly re-organized band. A year later, Basie joined Bennie Moten's band, and played with them until Moten died in 1935 from a failed tonsillectomy. The band tried to stay together but failed. Basie then formed his own nine-piece band, Barons of Rhythm, with many former Moten members including Walter Page (bass), Freddie Green (guitar), Jo Jones (drums), Lester Young (tenor saxophone) and Jimmy Rushing (vocals). The Barons of Rhythm were regulars at
5661-456: The age of 42. Dorothy Jean Dandridge was born in 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio to entertainer Ruby (née Butler) and Cyril Dandridge. Her father was a cabinetmaker and Baptist minister. Her parents separated before her birth. Ruby created a song-and-dance act for her two young daughters, Vivian and Dorothy, under the name The Wonder Children. The act was managed by her lover, Geneva Williams. Williams
SECTION 50
#17328921755425772-408: The age of 79. Basie hitched his star to some of the most famous vocalists of the 1950s and 1960s, which helped keep the Big Band sound alive and added greatly to his recording catalog. Jimmy Rushing sang with Basie in the late 1930s. Joe Williams toured with the band and was featured on the 1957 album One O'Clock Jump , and 1956's Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings , with " Every Day (I Have
5883-416: The appointed time. Several hours later, Dandridge was found unresponsive in her apartment by Mills after he had finally broken in the apartment door using the tire iron from his car. A Los Angeles pathology institute determined that the cause of death was an accidental overdose of the antidepressant imipramine . The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office concluded that she died of a fat embolism resulting from
5994-489: The area. Both of his parents had some type of musical background. His father played the mellophone , and his mother played the piano ; in fact, she gave Basie his first piano lessons. She took in laundry and baked cakes for sale for a living. She paid 25 cents a lesson for Count Basie's piano instruction. The best student in school, Basie dreamed of a traveling life, inspired by touring carnivals which came to town. He finished junior high school but spent much of his time at
6105-456: The audience into shouts of encouragement and appreciation and casual beads of perspiration to drop from Chick's brow onto the brass cymbals, the Count maintained an attitude of poise and self-assurance. He constantly parried Chick's thundering haymakers with tantalizing runs and arpeggios which teased more and more force from his adversary. The publicity over the big band battle, before and after, gave
6216-466: The award for her role in La La Land (2016). The record for most wins is four, held by Katharine Hepburn . Frances McDormand has won thrice, while thirteen other actresses have won the award twice. Meryl Streep has received the most nominations in this category—seventeen—and has won twice. Deborah Kerr holds the record in this category for most nominations (six) without a win —albeit in 1993, she
6327-675: The band into the 1980s. Basie made a few more movie appearances, such as in the Jerry Lewis film Cinderfella (1960) and the Mel Brooks movie Blazing Saddles (1974), playing a revised arrangement of "April in Paris". In 1982 Basie and his orchestra were the featured entertainment for the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Pittsburgh Steelers at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center . Basie
6438-559: The band name of Jones-Smith Incorporated; the sides were "Shoe Shine Boy", "Evening", "Boogie Woogie", and "Oh Lady Be Good". After Vocalion became a subsidiary of Columbia Records in 1938, "Boogie Woogie" was released in 1941 as part of a four-record compilation album entitled Boogie Woogie (Columbia album C44). When he made the Vocalion recordings, Basie had already signed with Decca Records , but did not have his first recording session with them until January 1937. By then, Basie's sound
6549-696: The band winged every number without sheet music using "head arrangements". He met Fats Waller , who was playing organ at the Lincoln Theater accompanying silent movies, and Waller taught him how to play that instrument. (Basie later played organ at the Eblon Theater in Kansas City). As he did with Duke Ellington, Willie "the Lion" Smith helped Basie out during the lean times by arranging gigs at " house-rent parties ", introducing him to other leading musicians, and teaching him some piano technique. In 1928, Basie
6660-449: The band, and they soon came up with some adjustments, including softer playing, more solos, and more standards. They paced themselves to save their hottest numbers for later in the show, to give the audience a chance to warm up. His first official recordings for Decca followed, under contract to agent MCA, including " Pennies from Heaven " and " Honeysuckle Rose ". Hammond introduced Basie to Billie Holiday , whom he invited to sing with
6771-406: The band. (Holiday did not record with Basie, as she had her own record contract and preferred working with small combos). The band's first appearance at the Apollo Theater followed, with the vocalists Holiday and Jimmy Rushing getting the most attention. Durham returned to help with arranging and composing, but for the most part, the orchestra worked out its numbers in rehearsal, with Basie guiding
SECTION 60
#17328921755426882-480: The bands" with Chick Webb 's group. Basie had Holiday, and Webb countered with the singer Ella Fitzgerald . As Metronome magazine proclaimed, "Basie's Brilliant Band Conquers Chick's"; the article described the evening: Throughout the fight, which never let down in its intensity during the whole fray, Chick took the aggressive, with the Count playing along easily and, on the whole, more musically scientifically. Undismayed by Chick's forceful drum beating, which sent
6993-437: The black community, who felt the story's negative stereotyping of blacks was degrading. When the initial director, Rouben Mamoulian , was replaced with Otto Preminger , he informed Dandridge that her performance was not credible and that she needed intensive coaching to handle such a role. Porgy and Bess had a long and costly production. All the sets and costumes were destroyed in a fire and had to be replaced, which amounted to
7104-472: The box office and becoming one of the year's highest-earning films. Dandridge was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress , becoming the first African American nominated for a leading role. At the 27th Academy Awards held on March 30, 1955, Dandridge was a nominee along with Grace Kelly , Audrey Hepburn , Judy Garland , and Jane Wyman . Although Kelly won the award for her performance in The Country Girl , Dandridge became an overnight sensation. At
7215-420: The cinema, including Mae West , Dolores del Río , and Anna May Wong . Recording artist Janelle Monáe performs a song titled "Dorothy Dandridge Eyes" on her 2013 album The Electric Lady , with Esperanza Spalding . In the 1969 movie The Lost Man , Dorothy Starr (played by Beverly Todd ) says that she named herself after Dandridge. In a February 2016 episode of Black-ish , "Sink or Swim," Beyoncé
7326-461: The code. Despite the behind-the-scenes controversy, the film received favorable reviews and was one of the year's biggest successes. Dandridge next agreed to star opposite German actor Curd Jürgens in the French/Italian production of Tamango (1958). A reluctant Dandridge had agreed to appear in the film only after learning that it focused on a 19th-century slave revolt on a cargo ship traveling from Africa to Cuba. However, she nearly withdrew when
7437-403: The development of swing music, and at one performance at the Pearl Theatre in Philadelphia in December 1932, the theatre opened its door to allow anybody in who wanted to hear the band perform. During a stay in Chicago, Basie recorded with the band. He occasionally played four-hand piano and dual pianos with Moten, who also conducted. The band improved with several personnel changes, including
7548-527: The film rights to The Blue Angel and intended to cast her as saloon singer Lola-Lola in an all-black remake of the original 1930 film. She was scheduled to star as Cigarette in a remake of Under Two Flags . Meanwhile, Dandridge agreed to play the role of Tuptim in a film version of The King and I and a sultry upstairs neighbor in The Lieutenant Wore Skirts . However, her former director and now-lover Otto Preminger suggested she accept only leading roles. As an international star, Dorothy Dandridge rejected
7659-422: The first time with Basie on 1962's Sinatra-Basie and for a second studio album on 1964's It Might as Well Be Swing , which was arranged by Quincy Jones . Jones also arranged and conducted 1966's live Sinatra at the Sands which featured Sinatra with Count Basie and his orchestra stayed at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas at Sinatra's request. In May 1970, Sinatra performed in London's Royal Festival Hall with
7770-417: The following table, the years are listed as per Academy convention, and generally correspond to the year of film release in Los Angeles County ; the ceremonies are always held the following year. For the first five ceremonies, the eligibility period spanned twelve months, from August 1 to July 31. For the 6th ceremony held in 1934, the eligibility period lasted from August 1, 1932, to December 31, 1933. Since
7881-578: The hit 1941 musical Sun Valley Serenade for 20th Century Fox . The film marked the first time she performed with the Nicholas Brothers . Aside from her film appearances, Dandridge appeared in a succession of soundies – film clips that were displayed on jukeboxes, including "Paper Doll" by the Mills Brothers , "Cow, Cow Boogie", "Jig in the Jungle", and "Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter's Rent Party" also called "Swing for my Supper", among others. These films were noted not only for showcasing Dandridge as singer and dancer and her acting abilities, but also for featuring
7992-574: The hospital sooner. Harolyn was unable to speak and never recognized Dandridge as her mother. Dandridge was private about her daughter's condition; she didn't publicly speak about it until a 1963 appearance on The Mike Douglas Show . While filming Carmen Jones (1954), she began an affair with director Otto Preminger that lasted four years, during which Preminger advised her on career matters. He demanded that she accept only starring roles after her success in his film. Dandridge later regretted following his advice. She became pregnant by him in 1955, but
8103-590: The image of African Americans in American motion pictures. In the movie To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995), Wesley Snipes played Noxeema Jackson, a drag queen whose dream is to play Dorothy Dandridge in a movie about her life and work. In 1999, Halle Berry produced and starred in the movie Introducing Dorothy Dandridge , for which she won the Primetime Emmy Award , Golden Globe Award , and Screen Actors Guild Award . When Berry won
8214-912: The industry, Dandridge became involved with the National Urban League and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People . During an engagement at the Cotton Club, Dandridge met Harold Nicholas , a dancer and entertainer. They married at a Hollywood ceremony on September 6, 1942. Guests at their wedding included Oscar-winner Hattie McDaniel , jazz singer Etta Jones , and choreographer Nick Castle . They had an unhappy marriage, which deteriorated because of Nicholas' womanizing and inattentiveness. By 1948, Nicholas had abandoned his family. Dandridge filed for divorce in September 1950, and it
8325-452: The initial script called for her to swim in the nude and spend the majority of the film in a two-piece bathing suit made of rags. When Dandridge threatened to leave the film, the script and her wardrobe were retooled to her liking. As United States Production code requirements did not apply to the Italian film production, a passionate kiss between Jürgens and Dandridge's characters was permitted in
8436-418: The jury and press visited Grauman's Chinese Theatre to determine whether O'Hara could have performed various sexual acts while seated in the balcony, as reported by a magazine published by Hollywood Research, Inc., this was discovered to have been impossible. Dandridge had not testified during her civil lawsuit earlier in 1957, but in September she gave testimony in the criminal trial that further strengthened
8547-505: The level of those led by Duke Ellington or Fletcher Henderson . Where the Blue Devils were "snappier" and more "bluesy", the Moten band was more refined and respected, playing in the " Kansas City stomp " style. In addition to playing piano, Basie was co-arranger with Eddie Durham , who notated the music. Their " Moten Swing ", which Basie claimed credit for, was an invaluable contribution to
8658-592: The listener who remembers 1938 and the youngster who has never before heard a big band like this." In 1957, Basie sued the jazz venue Ball and Chain in Miami over outstanding fees, causing the closure of the venue. In 1958, the band made its first European tour. Jazz was especially appreciated in France, The Netherlands, and Germany in the 1950s; these countries were the stomping grounds for many expatriate American jazz stars who were either resurrecting their careers or sitting out
8769-471: The live album Count Basie at Newport . " April in Paris " (arrangement by Wild Bill Davis) was a best-selling instrumental and the title song for the hit album. The Basie band made two tours in the British Isles and on the second, they put on a command performance for Queen Elizabeth II , along with Judy Garland , Vera Lynn , and Mario Lanza . He was a guest on ABC 's The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom ,
8880-448: The morning of September 8 around 7:15 am, Dandridge telephoned her manager, Earl Mills, asking him to reschedule a hospital appointment she had that morning where a cast would be applied to her foot where a tiny bone fracture had occurred in a fall five days earlier. A few minutes later, she called again and requested a further delay and a 10:00 am appointment was scheduled. Her manager Mills received no response when he arrived at her door at
8991-676: The new band through recordings on the Mercury , Clef , and Verve labels. By 1956, Basie's recordings were also showcased by Ben Selvin within the RCA Thesaurus transcription library. The jukebox era had begun, and Basie shared the exposure along with early rock'n'roll and rhythm and blues artists. Basie's new band was more of an ensemble group, with fewer solo turns, and relying less on "head" and more on written arrangements. Basie added touches of bebop "so long as it made sense", and he required that "it all had to have feeling". Basie's band
9102-526: The only other star who testified at the criminal trial, were photographed shaking hands outside the downtown-Los Angeles courtroom where the highly publicized trial was held. Testimony from O'Hara, as well as from a disgruntled former magazine editor named Howard Rushmore , revealed that the magazines published false information provided by hotel maids, clerks, and movie-theater ushers who were paid for their tips. The stories with questionable veracity most often centered around alleged incidents of casual sex. When
9213-465: The original). Count Basie William James " Count " Basie ( / ˈ b eɪ s i / ; August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra , and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and their first recording. He led the group for almost 50 years, creating innovations like
9324-476: The other band members. He called Basie "Holy Man", "Holy Main", and just plain "Holy". Basie favored blues , and he would showcase some of the most notable blues singers of the era after he went to New York: Billie Holiday , Jimmy Rushing , Big Joe Turner , Helen Humes , and Joe Williams . He also hired arrangers who knew how to maximize the band's abilities, such as Eddie Durham and Jimmy Mundy . When Basie took his orchestra to New York in 1937, they made
9435-547: The people who were handling her finances had swindled her out of $ 150,000, and she owed $ 139,000 in back taxes. She was forced to sell her Hollywood home and place her daughter in a California state mental institution, Camarillo State Hospital . Dandridge moved into a small apartment on Fountain Avenue in West Hollywood, California. On the evening of September 7, 1965, Dandridge spoke by telephone from Los Angeles with her friend and former sister-in-law Geraldine "Geri" Branton. Dandridge
9546-465: The piece " One O'Clock Jump ". According to Basie, "we hit it with the rhythm section and went into the riffs , and the riffs just stuck. We set the thing up front in D-flat, and then we just went on playing in F." It became his signature tune. At the end of 1936, Basie and his band, now billed as Count Basie and His Barons of Rhythm, moved from Kansas City to Chicago, where they honed their repertoire at
9657-451: The proceedings. There were often no musical notations made. Once the musicians found what they liked, they usually were able to repeat it using their "head arrangements" and collective memory . Next, Basie played at the Savoy , which was noted more for lindy-hopping , while the Roseland was a place for fox-trots and congas . In early 1938, the Savoy was the meeting ground for a "battle of
9768-619: The process of casting an all-black musical film adaptation of Oscar Hammerstein II 's 1943 Broadway musical Carmen Jones . This production had updated Georges Bizet 's opera Carmen to a World War II-era, African-American setting. In Dandridge's leading role from the previous year, a school teacher in Bright Road , director and writer Otto Preminger could see no gift to portray the classic femme fatale in Carmen Jones (1954) but his consideration
9879-495: The prosecution's case. Alleged by Confidential to have fornicated with a white bandleader in the woods of Lake Tahoe , Nevada, in 1950, she testified that racial segregation had confined her to her hotel during her nightclub engagement in Lake Tahoe. When she was not in the hotel lounge rehearsing or performing her singing, according to her testimony, she was required to stay inside her room where she slept alone. The trial ended in
9990-442: The seductive Carmen made her one of Hollywood's first African-American sex symbols and earned her positive reviews. On November 1, 1954, Dorothy Dandridge became the first black woman featured on the cover of Life . Walter Winchell described her performance as "bewitching", and Variety wrote that it "maintains the right hedonistic note throughout". Carmen Jones became a worldwide success, eventually earning over $ 10 million at
10101-439: The shooting of Tamango . This was Dandridge's first, and only, on-screen kiss with a white actor. Tamango was withheld from American release until late 1959. It received mixed reviews from critics and achieved only minor success. In MGM 's The Decks Ran Red (1958), Dandridge co-starred with James Mason , Broderick Crawford , and Stuart Whitman as Mahia, a cook's wife aboard a tired World War II surplus freighter enduring
10212-529: The split tenor arrangement. In that city in October 1936, the band had a recording session which the producer John Hammond later described as "the only perfect, completely perfect recording session I've ever had anything to do with". Hammond first heard Basie's band on the radio and went to Kansas City to check them out. He invited them to record, in performances which were Lester Young's earliest recordings. Those four sides were released on Vocalion Records under
10323-507: The two lesser roles, and Rita Moreno was cast in both roles. On April 11, 1955, Dandridge became the first black performer to open at the Empire Room at New York's Waldorf-Astoria hotel. Her success as a headliner led to the hotel booking other black performers, such as the Count Basie Orchestra with vocalist Joe Williams , Pearl Bailey, and Lena Horne . In 1957, Dandridge sued Confidential for libel over its article that described
10434-511: The use of two "split" tenor saxophones, emphasizing the rhythm section, riffing with a big band, using arrangers to broaden their sound, his minimalist piano style, and others. Many musicians came to prominence under his direction, including the tenor saxophonists Lester Young and Herschel Evans , the guitarist Freddie Green , trumpeters Buck Clayton and Harry "Sweets" Edison , plunger trombonist Al Grey , and singers Jimmy Rushing , Helen Humes , Thelma Carpenter , and Joe Williams . As
10545-514: The vaults until a CD release in 1999. This CD also included four tracks from 1961 (with an unknown orchestra) that included one 45 rpm record single and another aborted single: Academy Award for Best Actress The Academy Award for Best Actress is an award presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It has been awarded since the 1st Academy Awards to an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance in
10656-495: The years of racial divide in the United States. Neal Hefti began to provide arrangements, including " Li'l Darlin' ". By the mid-1950s, Basie's band had become one of the preeminent backing big bands for some of the most prominent jazz vocalists of the time. They also toured with the "Birdland Stars of 1955", whose lineup included Sarah Vaughan , Erroll Garner , Lester Young , George Shearing , and Stan Getz . In 1957, Basie
10767-502: Was 20 years old, he toured extensively on the Keith and TOBA vaudeville circuits as a solo pianist, accompanist, and music director for blues singers, dancers, and comedians. This provided an early training that was to prove significant in his later career. Back in Harlem in 1925, Basie gained his first steady job at Leroy's, a place known for its piano players and its " cutting contests ". The place catered to "uptown celebrities", and typically
10878-519: Was a Prince Hall Freemason as a member of Wisdom Lodge No. 102 in Chicago as well as a Shriner . Basie was a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. On July 21, 1930, Basie married Vivian Lee Winn, in Kansas City, Missouri. They were divorced sometime before 1935. Some time in or before 1935, the now single Basie returned to New York City, renting a house at 111 West 138th Street, Manhattan, as evidenced by
10989-471: Was an Honorary Oscar recipient . At the 41st Academy Awards , Barbra Streisand and Katharine Hepburn received the same number of votes and thus tied for Best Actress (the only time this has occurred). Italian actress Sophia Loren became the first actor, in any category, to win for a foreign language performance in Two Women (1960). Nominees are currently determined by single transferable vote within
11100-424: Was characterized by a "jumping" beat and the contrapuntal accents of his own piano. His personnel around 1937 included: Lester Young and Herschel Evans (tenor sax), Freddie Green (guitar), Jo Jones (drums), Walter Page (bass), Earle Warren (alto sax), Buck Clayton and Harry Edison (trumpet), Benny Morton and Dickie Wells (trombone). Lester Young, known as "Prez" by the band, came up with nicknames for all
11211-529: Was finalized in October 1951. Dandridge gave birth to her only child, Harolyn Suzanne Nicholas, on September 2, 1943. While she was in labor, Nicholas left her stranded at her sister-in-law's home without the car when he went to play golf. At first, Dandridge refused to go to the hospital without him. Harolyn's delayed birth required the use of forceps. This may have resulted in the brain damage that left her requiring lifelong constant care. Dandridge blamed herself for her daughter's condition, and for not getting to
11322-448: Was forced to have an abortion by the studio. She ended the affair when she realized that Preminger had no plans to leave his wife to marry her. Their affair was depicted in the biopic Introducing Dorothy Dandridge , in which Preminger was portrayed by actor Klaus Maria Brandauer . Dandridge married Jack Denison on June 22, 1959. They divorced in 1962, amid financial setbacks and allegations of domestic violence. Dandridge discovered that
11433-517: Was in Four Shall Die (1940). The race film cast her as a murderer and did little for her film career. Because of her rejection of stereotypical black roles, she had limited options for film roles. She had small roles in Lady from Louisiana with John Wayne and Sundown with Gene Tierney , both in 1941. Also that year, Dandridge appeared as part of the specialty number " Chattanooga Choo Choo " in
11544-638: Was in Tulsa and heard Walter Page and his Famous Blue Devils , one of the first big bands , which featured Jimmy Rushing on vocals. A few months later, he was invited to join the band, which played mostly in Texas and Oklahoma . It was at this time that he began to be known as "Count" Basie (see Jazz royalty ). The following year, in 1929, Basie became the pianist with the Bennie Moten band based in Kansas City, inspired by Moten's ambition to raise his band to match
11655-552: Was known for her renditions of songs such as "Blow Out the Candle", " You Do Something to Me ", and "Talk Sweet Talk to Me", she recorded very little on vinyl. It is unknown whether her lack of recording was due to personal choice or lack of opportunity. In 1958, she recorded a full-length album for Verve Records featuring Oscar Peterson with Herb Ellis , Ray Brown , and Alvin Stoller (Catalogue #314 547-514 2) that remained unreleased in
11766-514: Was not released until 1962 in the United States. Malaga was her final completed film appearance. In 1962, Dandridge was filmed with Alain Delon on the set of La Fabuleuse Aventure de Marco Polo , a Raoul Lévy -produced French-Italian film that was abandoned due to financial issues. Years later it was released as Marco the Magnificent without either Dandridge or Delon.. She also appeared as Anita in
11877-590: Was playing with pick-up groups for dances, resorts, and amateur shows, including Harry Richardson's "Kings of Syncopation". When not playing a gig, he hung out at the local pool hall with other musicians, where he picked up on upcoming play dates and gossip. He got some jobs in Asbury Park at the Jersey Shore , and played at the Hong Kong Inn until a better player took his place. Around 1920, Basie went to Harlem ,
11988-1011: Was said to have had a bad temper and to have cruelly disciplined the children. The sisters toured the Southern United States almost nonstop for five years (rarely attending school), while Ruby worked and performed in Cleveland. During the Great Depression , work virtually dried up for the Dandridges, as it did for many Chitlin' Circuit performers. Ruby moved her family to Hollywood, California, where she found steady work on radio and film in small domestic-servant parts. After that relocation, in 1930, Dorothy attended McKinley Junior High School. The Wonder Children were renamed The Dandridge Sisters in 1934. Dandridge and her sister were teamed with dance schoolmate Etta Jones. The Dandridge Sisters continued strong for several years, and they were booked in several high-profile New York nightclubs, including
12099-456: Was scheduled to fly to New York City the next day to prepare for her nightclub engagement at Basin Street East . Branton told biographers that during the long conversation, Dandridge veered from expressing hope for the future, to singing Barbra Streisand 's " People " in its entirety, to making a cryptic remark moments before hanging up on her: "Whatever happens, I know you will understand." On
12210-857: Was sharing Birdland with such bebop musicians as Charlie Parker , Dizzy Gillespie , and Miles Davis . Behind the occasional bebop solos, he always kept his strict rhythmic pulse, "so it doesn't matter what they do up front; the audience gets the beat". Basie also added flute to some numbers, a novelty at the time that became widely copied. Soon, his band was touring and recording again. The new band included: Paul Campbell, Tommy Turrentine , Johnny Letman , Idrees Sulieman , and Joe Newman (trumpet); Jimmy Wilkins, Benny Powell , Matthew Gee (trombone); Paul Quinichette and Floyd "Candy" Johnson (tenor sax); Frank Wess (tenor sax and flute); Marshal Royal and Ernie Wilkins (alto sax); and Charlie Fowlkes (baritone sax). DownBeat magazine reported: "(Basie) has managed to assemble an ensemble that can thrill both
12321-418: Was that she would be suited for the smaller role, Cindy Lou. Dandridge, who had dressed down for the screen test of Bright Road to suit the demure teacher at its center, worked with Max Factor make-up artists to convey the look and character of the earthy Carmen, which she wore to a meeting with Preminger in his office. The effect, combined with some viewing suggested to him of her freer, looser appearances in
#541458