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The Black Experience in Cinema
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During Black History Month, TCM salutes some of the groundbreaking African-American filmmakers, performers and sports
figures who paved the way for such contemporary artists as Denzel Washington (The Mighty Quinn, 1989) and Morgan Freeman (Driving Miss Daisy, 1989).
Josephine Baker (Zou Zou, 1934; Princess Tam Tam, 1935) was the first African-American to be named as Europe's highest-paid entertainer. Baker, a legend in the music halls of Paris, starred in a handful of films. Diahann Carroll (Paris Blues, 1961) was the first black actress to star in a network TV series, Julia (1968-71). Dorothy Dandridge (Bright Road, 1953) was the first African- American to be nominated for an Oscar as Best Actress (for 1954's Carmen Jones). Singing star Lena Horne (Cabin in the Sky, 1943) was the first black performer to sign a long-term
contract with a major Hollywood studio - MGM. Ethel Waters (Cabin in the Sky, 1943) was the first black woman to achieve star billing on the stage and screen. Hattie McDaniel (Show Boat, 1936) was the first black performer to win an Oscar as Best Supporting Actress for 1939's Gone With the Wind, and the first black woman to sing on American radio. Sidney Poitier was the first African-American to win an Oscar as Best Actor for Lilies of the Field (1963). In celebration of Poitier's birthday on February 20, TCM is showing seven of his movies. Jackie Robinson (The Jackie Robinson Story, 1950) was, famously, the first black player in Major League baseball. Robinson played himself in his screen biography. Joe Louis (Spirit of Youth, 1937) was the first boxer in any weight division to reign as champion for 12 years (1937-49), a record that still holds. Louis played himself in several movies and a fictional character in Spirit of Youth.
by Roger Fristoe
 
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31 Days of Oscar Highlights for March 3
Paul Newman (right) plays a rebellious chain gang prisoner in Cool Hand Luke (1967), co-starring Harry Dean Stanton, who is also in the follow-up feature Alien (1979). Check out the other star connections.
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