This book uses a black/white interracial lens to examine the lives and careers of eight prominent American-born actresses from the silent age through the studio era, New Hollywood, and into the present century: Josephine Baker, Nina Mae McKinney, Fredi Washington, Lena Horne, Dorothy Dandridge, Lonette McKee, Jennifer Beals and Halle Berry. Combining biography with detailed film readings, the author fleshes out the tragic mulatto stereotype, while at the same time exploring concepts and themes such as racial identity, the one-drop rule, passing, skin color, transracial adoption, interracial romance, and more. With a wealth of background information, this study also places these actresses in historical context, providing insight into the construction of race, both onscreen and off.

Valerie C. Gilbert has researched for more than 15 years in preparation for writing this book. She is a graduate of the University of Washington’s BFA program in photography, and MA program in communication. She lives in Seattle, Washington.

Valerie C. Gilbert
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages:
Bibliographic Info: ca. 50 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2021
pISBN: 978-1-4766-6338-8
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4473-8
Imprint: McFarland