Hattie McDaniel, Denver 1910, age 15.
What is the thing that Hollywood demands most? Sincerity. No place in the world will pay such a high price for this admirable trait. We all respect sincerity in our friends and acquaintances, but Hollywood is willing to pay for it.
I was little more than a kid but I was old in show business. I won a medal in dramatic art when I was 15. One year later my oldest brother, Otis, wrote his own show and songs and persuaded my mother to let me go on the road with his company. I loved every minute of it, the tent shows, the kerosene lights, the contagious enthusiasm of the small-town crowds.
I had headlined in the Pantages and Orpheum circuits but Vaudeville was as dead as last month’s hit song. Milwaukee was really my springboard to Hollywood. I landed there broke. Somebody told me of a place as a maid in the ladies’ room at Sam Pick’s Suburban Inn. I rushed out there and took the job. One night after midnight, when all the entertainers had left, the manager called for volunteer talent from among the help. I asked the boys in the orchestra to strike up “St Louis Blues.” I started to sing, “I hate to see the sun go down…” I never had to go back to the maid’s job.
Hattie McDaniel with Fay Bainter who, as recipient of Best Supporting Actress in 1938, presented the award in 1939.
Many thanks. I am speaking about McDaniel next week in the film class I teach. Many students are unaware that there was this parallel world of African-American artists and films. Only at some moments [like GWTW] did they intersect with the dominant film industry of the time.
Hattie McDaniel! Gone With the Wind! I’ll never forget it. It’s the movie that made me love movies and that helped me discover other movies. The day before Christmas Eve, fourth grade, they had this classic movies week and my mother wanted to see Gone With the Wind. I saw it with her and it was the beginning!
I love Hattie and sadly the industry was very cruel to her. Wasn’t Mo’Nique really obsessed with a project about Hattie McDaniel at the time she won the Oscar? She was wearing that flower in tribute to Hattie and was talking about the project a lot.
Beatiful thoughts and picture of Hattie, Ryan. Thx for finding them and posting them. I met Butterfly McQueen once at La Mama back in the DAY and asked her what Hattie McDaniels was like. And she said in that same squeaky voice that never changed that “Miss Hattie was very happy.” (Who wouldn’t be happy to be in GWTW, in the role of her career?)” She was very happy she didn’t have to go on the road and do vaudeville anymore.” Never forget it. Wish I had met Hattie.
Will we ever have that “most expected movies of 2013” combined poll? I bet after the test screening raves AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY will place 1st or 2nd.
I have always been moved by Hattie McDaniel’s story, as well as other actors and actresses of color from the early Hollywood days. Every time I see her acceptance speech (which has been a few times), I get teary eyed.
Video of Hattie McDaniel’s acceptance speech
No worries. Yeah, just thought the last one was great. Kept pausing it so I could extend it out as long as possible.
Looking forward to hearing your discussions of:
Cabaret vs. Godfather (Cabaret for me!);
Network vs. All President’s Men vs. Taxi Driver (Network for me!);
and especially 1977, which I think has one of the best hidden gems (and I think largely forgotten) in JULIA – a brilliant, intelligent film.
Although, the podcast has led to several people giving me strange looks on the walk to work as i argue or comment aloud to the conversation!
Keep up the good work as always!
Ryan,
When’s the next Oscar Podcast coming?
The last one was the best podcast you’ve done, I think! Thoroughly interesting! Didn’t want it to end. Feel free to make them even longer!
aw, thanks Adam.
Sasha, Craig and email each other a lot to talk about scheduling each week’s podcast. The actual number of emails required to make a podcast happen remains a mystery. I feel the tension mounting for a new one soon.
I just pop up here to say how much I respect Hattie. And how happy I’ve always been, knowing that she actually won, in that year, with that competition. As many pointed out, she was a milestone.
A friend of mine pointed out her home during a drive in the Hollywood Hills when I visited LA in November.
It was a lovely small two-story home on a private cul de sac – it did not look renovated but was vintage 40s style – unpretentious and simple with a small flower garden in the front.
My heart skipped a beat when we drove by. I hope her life was a happy one after winning the Oscar.
Some other Hattie McDaniel quotes I could’ve used but these are easier to find that what I posted.
“That’s a powerful lucky rabbit’s foot. I got the part in Gone With the Wind because of it. I got my Warner contract, thanks to it.”
“I am loathe to get married again. I’ve been married enough; I just prefer to forget it… I’m letting no man handle my bank account.”
“You can best fight any existing evil from the inside.”
*(I doubt she was talking about the mafia).
Suggestion to Sasha: Can you start a thread “Movies you saw this week” or something like that.
Now, about McDaniels — I just saw Mildred Pierce and the Call this week…Pierce was on-demand online and the The Call in the theater. And I kept thinking, why aren’t they making movies like Mildred Pierce anymore. I swear there is a pinned up yearning by older women like myself who would like to those “dame” type movies come back. I also saw the Last Seduction, probably the last great movie about a scheming woman made by Hollywood. I so much want to see more movies like those. I enjoyed the Call with Halle Berry and think her character could be a franchise.
1) Is there going to be a movie or Broadway show about Hattie? I think there was a Broadway show, but can’t remember the name. Okay, I found it:
http://www.broadway.com/buzz/96213/capathia-jenkins-to-play-hattie-mcdaniel-in-off-broadway-show/
Why isn’t this a MAIN broadway show?
2) Can you show a more recent photo of Hattie?
3) I just saw Mildred Pierce with Butterfly McQueen, she was a hoot. What great character actresses these two were.
sure, we can find lots of photos of Hattie, but I like this one because it’s rare and not online in high res anyplace until today.
I can find another one to post from later in her career, of course.
Huh?