"The 2012 Inaugural Black Vintage Movie Series"

Calling all my Atlanta folks!!

The Black Vintage Movie Series, Inc. invites you and your family to join them on June 16th, 2012 as they celebrate those  who helped pave the path for today's African Americans actors/actresses in the Motion Picture Industry. The inaugural movie series is also presented by Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall.


'The Black Vintage Movie Series' showcases select films from 1920-1950. Founded by Jeff Bellamy, the 'Black Vintage Movie Series' was inspired by Bellamy's father's enthusiasm for black films from the Great Depression. This era represents a time when families were more tightly structured, when going to the movies meant that women and men dressed impeccably. It was a night out on the town and people carried themselves with respect. During this time actors worked with very limited technical resources and musicians played without the benefit of sound enhancement. 


Check out the schedule here:
2:30 pm Imitation of Life
5:00 pm Lecture- Bright Boulevard, Bold Dreams
7:00 pm Carmen Jones
9:30 pm Q&A with acclaimed author Donald Bogle


The movie series will take place at The Balzer Theater at Herren's (84 Luckie St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30303). Tickets are as follows:
          Individual Screenings: $19 in advance, $21 day of the show, $15 for groups of 10+
          Full Day Pass: $28 in advance, $34 day of the show, $25 for groups of 10+

Tickets can be purchased via phone (1-877-725-8849) or online .

Day 4 of Black Movie Month "Cabin in the Sky"

 Now you know I had to take it back and today's spotlight is just perfect.  

Cabin in the Sky is a 1943 American musical film. The film would star Ethel Waters as Petunia and Rex Ingram as Lucifer Junior. Eddie "Rochester" Anderson of Jack Benny fame took over the role of Little Joe, Kenneth Lee Spencer portrayed The General, and Lena Horne co-starred as the temptress Georgia Brown in her first and only leading role in an MGM musical. Louis Armstrong was also featured in the film as one of Lucifer Junior's minions, and Duke Ellington and his Orchestra have a showcase musical number in the film.
 
The first film directed by Vincente Minnelli (who directed the original Broadway version), this musical offers its pleasures, but also may make you squirm at the racial stereotypes that were considered both acceptable and entertaining in 1943. A story of the struggle between good and evil for the soul of a man named Little Joe (Eddie "Rochester" Anderson), the film plays with the same kind of racial notions that made Stepin Fetchit a star.

Cabin in the Sky is one of those classic films that all ages can relate to, and it takes you back to the days of the Harlem Renaissance. This film truly hits the marker of how African Americans have contributed to the film industry and well worth the title of one of life's best kept African American secrets. With an all-black cast Cabin in the Sky is filled with so many real emotions that you can't help but be mesmerized by the performances. Many might even say that this movie was ahead of its time, definitely music wise.

Something is to be said for Director Vincente Minnelli. He was able to pick the RIGHT" black actors/actresses to provide a stellar performance as well as to portray the various characters that had the ability to get the point(s) across effectively. Despite the time period of when this film was premiered it still brought a delightful element that is worth remembering.

The film would be nominated for an Academy Award in 1944 for Best Original Song for "Happiness is a Thing Called Joe" sung by Ethel Waters.  After years of unavailability, Warner Home Video and Turner Entertainment released Cabin in the Sky on DVD on January 10, 2006.

Diahann Carroll & Kerry Washington are Timeless Beauty!!

Actresses Diahann Carroll and Kerry Washington sat for a recent feature story in O Magazine called "Timeless Beauty." 75-year-old Diahann Carroll and 34-year-old Kerry Washington who will be costarring together in the upcoming comedy We the Peeples chat about clothes, shoes and finding balance in the current issue of O Magazine.

Check out some of the gorgeous pics and highlights of these outstanding ladies ...

Diahann Carroll…

On Kerry
“Kerry reminds me a lot of myself at her age. She has a trained eye for detail and what suits her figure. And she has an innate self-confidence, a coolness about how lovely she is.”

On Fashion
“My fashion life exists mainly through work, so I dress to be event appropriate. I see clothes as a performance.”

Kerry Washington…

On working a modern mix of designers and affordable labels
“I inhabit a lot of different worlds and I’m always trying to find balance.”  

On Fashion
“Fashion is an art. Clothes are a costume we use to express who we are.”  

Just love it! Black Star Beauty and Power at its finest!!