I grew up knowing Diahann Carroll (1935-2019) as both the smart, sympathetic nurse Julia on the series of the same name in the late 60s to early 70s and then the scheming, gorgeous Dominique Deveraux on Dynasty in the 1980s. Both of those roles broke barriers, showing a Black American woman first as an working nurse, and then as a wealthy diva equal to Joan Collins. But Carroll was also a Tony award-wining actor, she had a recording career, and surprise, she did a few frock flicks here and there!
Myrt in Carmen Jones (1954)
Clara in Porgy and Bess (1959)
Zeona Haley in Roots: The Next Generations (1979)
Vivian in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1979)
Eleanor Potter in The Five Heartbeats (1991)
Ida Grayson in Lonesome Dove: The Series (1994)
Elzora in Eve’s Bayou (1997)
Pouponne in The Courage to Love (2000)
Betty Hemings in Sally Hemings: An American Scandal (2000)
Maria Cole in Livin’ for Love: The Natalie Cole Story (2000)
How do you remember Diahann Carroll?
Shout out also to Diahann’s terrific turn as Norma Desmond in the 1995-1996 Toronto Production of Sunset Boulevard.
Carmen Jones wasn’t a Frock Flick; it was contemporary with its release date.
Contemporary-ish but decade earlier. The film was released in 1954 but set during WWII (presumably 1943 if we’re putting a specific date on it as that was when the play was written).
Yep, the movie was set in WWII, even tho’ the costumes didn’t show it.
Good choice for Betty Hemings, whom I imagine as a crafty, loving matriarch who helped steer her children and grandchildren toward freedom.
Love her! That first picture reminds me of Janelle Monae in Hidden Figures. :)
Great WCW choice! She was SO GORGEOUS and TALENTED!! I mostly think of her from Dynasty (from my childhood) and later from her role on White Collar! I have to re-watch some of these projects and watch some for the 1st time!!!
A diva equal to Dame Joan Collins? Holy Smokes, DYNASTY must have kept it me carpenters very, very busy repairing (or at least concealing from the audience) all those toothmarks left in the scenery! (-;