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Introducing Dorothy Dandridge

Introducing Dorothy Dandridge

Actor(s): Halle Berry, Brent Spiner, Obba Babatunde, Loretta Devine, Cynda Williams
Director(s): Martha Coolidge
3


Details

MPAA Rating: R
Content Advisory: Adult Language, Sexual Situations
Movie Release: 1999
DVD Release: 02/08/2000
Format: DVD - Closed Captioned
Audio Tracks: English, Spanish
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Number of Discs: 1
Run Time: 1 hrs 55 mins
Studio: HBO Home Video
Members Wishing: 3
Genres: Drama, Biopic [feature], Showbiz Drama, Addiction Drama

Synopsis

Dorothy Dandridge was a singer, nightclub entertainer, and actress who became the first African-American woman to receive an Academy award nomination as Best Actress (for her standout performance in 1954's Carmen Jones; she lost to Grace Kelly). However, despite her striking beauty and obvious talent, Dandridge was a sexy, glamorous black femme fatale at a time when Hollywood pin-up queens were supposed to be giggly blondes. The film industry didn't know what to do with her, and while her nightclub act was a bit too smooth for the Southern roadhouse circuit, as a black performer she wasn't allowed to stay in many of the hotels and resorts where she performed. Dandridge also had a sad personal life, filled with tragedy and romantic disappointment, and she died of an overdose of pills in 1965, at the age of 41. This made-for-cable biographical drama stars Halle Berry as Dorothy Dandridge, supported by Brent Spiner, Obba Babatunde, and Klaus Maria Brandauer. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Cast

Halle Berry - Dorothy Dandridge
Brent Spiner - Earl Mills
Obba Babatunde - Harold Nicholas
Loretta Devine - Ruby Dandridge
Cynda Williams - Vivian Dandridge


Awards

1999Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries, or Motion Picture (nominee)Golden GlobeKlaus Maria Brandauer
1999Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture (winner)Golden GlobeHalle Berry
1999Best Female Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie (winner)Screen Actors GuildHalle Berry

Editorial Review

Martha Coolidge directed Halle Berry to a handful of awards in the biopic Introducing Dorothy Dandridge. The disc offers a standard full-frame transfer that preserves the original broadcast aspect ratio. A closed-captioned English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Surround, while a Spanish soundtrack has been recorded in Dolby Digital Mono. English, Spanish, and French subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include cast and crew biographies. This is a fine disc, but it would have been great to include more biographical information about Dandridge. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

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