American actress and singer Dorothy Dandridge is the first African – American actress to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the movie ‘Carmen Jones’ (1954). Her highest rated performance is in the musical documentary ‘Sing Your Song’ (2012). Her other hit movies include ‘Since You Went Away’ (1944) and ‘Porgy and Bess’ (1959).Â
Dandridge had a difficult beginning to her career as African – Americans had very limited roles in her early years. Her debut role on the big screen in the movie ‘Four Shall Die’ (1940) did not bring out her potential as an actress. She was initially cast in stereotyped roles in movies like ‘Lady from Louisiana’ (1941) and ‘Sundown’ (1941). She got her first break when she performed in the musical ‘Sun Valley Serenade’ with the Nicholas Brothers in 1941. She appeared in her first starring role as Jane Richards in the low budget film ‘Bright Road’ (1953) that brought out the best of her acting skills as a teacher reaching out to her students.Â
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A Day at the Races is a comedy sports musical film which tells the story of Hugo, a veterinarian, who poses as a doctor, and teams up with a singer and his friends, in his struggle to save a sanitarium in New York.
When a gang of school students learn that their beloved teacher Miss Jones is getting married, and they will have a new teacher soon, they decide that the only way to retain their favorite teacher is breaking up the wedding.
Set during World War II, the film revolves around Carmen Jones, who works in a parachute factory. When she is arrested after having a fight with a co-worker, she seduces a young soldier, Joe, in order to avoid imprisonment. But, the problem arises when another man enters her life and she leaves Joe.
After pulling off a major heist, a jewel thief backstabs his partner-in-crime, leaves his girlfriend and goes on the run along with the loot. The locksmith and the girlfriend decide to team up to go after him, and soon they find themselves in Spain.
Jane Richards is new to her teaching career, and she begins teaching at a rural elementary school in Alabama. She becomes interested in one of her students named CT Young, who seems totally uninterested in his education, and takes two years to pass each grade.
New York mobster Lucky Jordan tries unsuccessfully to evade being drafted. He dodges work at boot campand then kidnaps the pretty WAC Jill and escapes in a car having important military papers. Back in the city, he finds rival Slip has taken his place and is after those papers to strike a deal with Nazis. Will Lucky sell the papers or save the nation?
Marjory Stuart, who is seeking a wealthy husband, poses as a wealthy heiress, and sets sail on a luxury liner. However, Pete Hamilton, one of the passengers, is able to spot her as phony after he discovers that her bracelet is made of paste. He still agrees to set her up with his wealthy friend Alfred Monroe.
Irene is a 1940 musical film, which tells the story of a wealthy man named Don Marshall, who falls in love with Irene, an upholsterer’s assistant. In his attempt to win her love, he buys her a dress shop, thus insuring her a better job there. Whether he succeeds or not forms the rest of the story.
Remains to be Seen is a musical crime comedy film which tells the story of a girl named Jody, who is a singer. Her life takes a dangerous turn when she is the prime suspect when her uncle is murdered.
In 1915, Atlantic City is a sleepy seaside resort. However, Brad Taylor, son of a small hotel and vaudeville house proprietor believes that he can turn Atlantic City into the ‘the playground of the world’.
This adventure crime drama film tells the story of a bloody mutiny at sea planned by a band of dishonest seamen aboard the S S Berwind, and the attempt of the new captain to suppress it.
In this adaptation of Alec Waugh's 1955 novel, Island in the Sun, a political battle for the legislative office of Santa Marta rages on between an affluent white candidate, Maxwell Fleury and strong black union leader, David Boyeur. As the candidates compete against one another, interracial affairs happen, long kept family secrets are revealed, jealousy rocks a marriage and then a murder takes place.
A sausage salesman enters a ski jump contest, hoping to win the girl of his dreams.
A lawyer, John Reynolds, goes to New Orleans to aid a local reform league in their fight against the crooked lottery which is run by a Southern ex-general and his beautiful daughter Julie. However, he falls in love with Julie, and shortly after, her father gets murdered as well.
This comedy film tells us the story of Spud Miller who tries to save his struggling radio station by winning a broadcast competition.
Sundown is set during the Second World War. The story revolves around a mysterious native woman of Somaliland who helps the British against the Nazis.
Peter Mason is a salesman who is working at a sports store. In order to promote their line of riding clothes, Peter is asked to impersonate the famous jockey Peter Randall, at the Steeple Chase, since they already have the rights to him. However, things don’t go exactly as expected.
This romantic musical film tells the story of a songwriter who discovers that a nightclub singer has been stealing some of her hit songs. Despite this, she starts to develop feelings for him.
