Hattie McDaniel in 1934's Judge Priest

[grandslam1998]

HM a true great. RIP

[LoreneFaith]

@grandslam1998 Amen!

[GooglFascists]

This movie was based on the true story of a country judge Irvin S. Cobb

called "Old Judge Priest". Irvin Cobb wrote about people he had known

growing up in Kentucky before 1900.

You won't find his books in Gov't Indoctrination Centers, (public schools),

because "educators" do not wish American children to learn that once

upon a time AMERICA WAS A FREE COUNTRY.

I'm old enough to remember when African-Americans were "negroes"

and didn't hate themselves so much for being born black.

[LoreneFaith]

@GooglFascists Very interesting comment. I also agree that our country used to be more free than it is now. I also do agree that African-Americans should never be ashamed of their history. They have suffered much and have contributed much to American history and culture.

[Useless2112]

I'm a-watching a youtube video, YES LORD! Comment on the youtube video, that's what I'm going to do, YES LORD!

[Useless2112]

"Judge Priest" sounds like a Republican superhero.

[LoreneFaith]

@Useless2112 Ha, Ha! You made me laugh. Does sound like a republican. Mr. Useless, I don't think you are so useless after all :)

[orangekush6969]

Mammy used to work in my school cafeteria.

[vince065us]

I love the last scene.

[rdsweet]

why is will singing loud and outta key. who are the 3 girls singing

[LoreneFaith]

@rdsweet That was his style. He was a funny guy and very well liked by everyone. He was quoted as saying "There are no strangers, just friends I haven't met".

[LoreneFaith]

I totally agree! She is very greatly missed and there will never be anyone just like Hattie! I am so glad we have film of her.

[MikeBlitzMag]

There aren't enough superlatives in the English language to adequately describe the genius of Hattie McDaniel. But one word definitely defines her better than most: class! She is greatly, greatly missed.

[LoreneFaith]

There are not too many adults of any types in kids lives these days that will tell them when they are wrong and kids do not seem to have consequences for their actions.

[barbarasprague]

I've Always loved her character as "Mammy"! I think that's the problem with alot of kids today is that they don't have that "Mammy" figure or even "Madea" in their lives to put them on the right track. And tell them straight when they are doing something wrong.

[dizzyloo]

Miss Hattie's star still shines.

[LoreneFaith]

@dizzyloo She will always shine. There will never be another like her. A Hollywood legend like they don't make anymore.

[barbarasprague]

As the 1940s progressed, the servant roles McDaniel and other African American performers had so frequently played were subjected to increasingly strong criticism by groups such as the NAACP. In response to the NAACP's criticism, McDaniel replied, "I'd rather play a maid and make $7000 a week than be one for $7."

[LoreneFaith]

That is a famous remark that she made! She was one smart lady!

[peacheslovesjesus]

@barbarasprague $7000 a week was BIGGGG bucks back then..i so understand, but to the naacp back then, playing a maid back then was like playing a crackhead prostitue today...wow.

[Hotshotter3000]

@peacheslovesjesus in 1934, $7000 was $114,518 in 2010. Just putting it out there for people.

[Hotshotter3000]

@barbarasprague That's why Stephin Fletchit played his stereotypical 'lazy nigger' role. It might have been one of the most controversial things done by an African American actor, but Stephin became a millionaire as a result. Let's face, when given the opportunity to make a ton of people, most people will sell out.

[Hotshotter3000]

@Hotshotter3000 correction. A ton of money. Not people....

[rdsweet]

@barbarasprague so even in the 40's the NAACP was irrelevant.

[thebee135]

I've alway's loved Hattie!!! She was so GREAT in "Gone With The Wind"! She was the First Black Woman to get an "Academy Award" in 1939!!!!

[LoreneFaith]

I adore her too. I will be posting some clips of her in the 1936 Showboat soon. She had one of the finest houses in Los Angeles too.

[mlc2005]

@thebee135 She was the first black person, period, to win an academy award (or even get nominated).

[Brerboy]

This was great! Classic America

[LoreneFaith]

Classic indeed!

[waynebrasler]

Hattie was full of contradictions. Shy, but forward enough to get the career she got against all the odds.

Took the streetcar to work. Yes, the house was beautiful; there are photos. She was, by the way, quite the activist for black causes and quite the dresser.

[LoreneFaith]

Hattie life I would dare to say was an activist for civil rights. As you said, she had a wonderful acting career facing great odds that she would succeed. What a wonderful and talented lady!

[waynebrasler]

She was fearless! There are photos of her and her lady friends leaving her beautiful home dressed to the nines ready to go out on a civil rights cause. The roles she played didn't at all reflect her sense of style, her sophistication, her wit or her brains.  She was already a success as a child in Denver.

[waynebrasler]

She knew everyone in the film business. I have a photo of a party at her home with Esther Williams, Janet Leigh among the guests. She was much liked in the film community but roles were difficult to come by. W hen she wasn't acting she ran her own catering business. She didn't like being idle.

[LoreneFaith]

Thank you for sharing that information about Hattie. I think she had a great deal of respect from Hollywood even in that time period and she deserved nothing less now. Hattie and Stepin Fetchit took the roles they could get at the time and paved the way for others. Hattie once said, "It is better to play a housemaid than be one". I heard that she had one of the most beautiful homes in the Los Angeles area.

[frater09]

I'll be waiting for them. Was she a contralto?

[LoreneFaith]

I would say so. She had a great low singing range.

[frater09]

Was that really Hattie McDaniel singing. What a voice!

[LoreneFaith]

Yes it really is her singing! She was wonderful! I am going to be uploading some more of Hattie's singing in the next couple of days :) from the 1936 Showboat.

[outinsider]

Hattie McDaniel's singing voice fueled her early career. She was the first African American woman to perform on national radio with her jazz band in 1915.

[LoreneFaith]

She is adorable. Did you know that she had one of the nicest houses in Beverly Hills during the height of her career?