The Smithian

When Lena Horne was signed to MGM in 1942, it must have seemed that black actresses were finally overcoming racism. But in fact, little progress was made. Nina Mae played Merle Oberon’s maid in Dark Waters(1944), a gothic melodrama. Her penultimate film role, in Elia Kazan’s race drama, Pinky(1949), she played Rozelia, ‘a razor-toting whore from the shantytown'...Bourne’s tale of ‘a star who should not have been forgotten’ is brief, and poignant. He takes a respectful approach to McKinney’s life and work...attention to detail helps to put McKinney back in her rightful place...

“I disconnected myself to shield myself from people who would sway to my songs in the club and call me 'nigger' in the street. They were too busy seeing their own preconceived image of a Negro woman. The image that I chose to give them was of a woman who they could not reach and therefore can't hurt." —Lena Horne