Hell the Jewish studio owners of the time did the same thing. Most changed their name and married Christians to better fit into white society. So of course they wouldn't want to anger the same society they were trying to fit into and further relationships with.
Although I've seen both incarnations of "Imitation of life" I am just watching this film on Netflix. As a black woman I can understand the initial annoyance at early Hollywood's casting of whites to play mixed race characters. Yes it was stupid, but movies are a business. Yes there were plenty of black people that passed rather it was very much on purpose or through assumption and they probably wouldn't want to draw attention to themselves and bring hostility.
This looks like some cheesy Hollywood bs made to make white people feel good about themselves for tackling the "race issue." Give me a break! In 1949 blacks were still catching hell all over America.
They had to cast a white woman (not even a mixed race woman) due to the reaction of an onscreen interracial kiss at the time. It was probably even illegal hah
@CocoYogenFruz Ms. Horne spoke to us for an hour, she spoke about how the studios would us this pancake makeup to lighten her skin because that was the standard of beauty back then. She looks like so many Black people in my family, She was part of the Cotton Club, they hired light skinned Blacks only but make no mistake these were Black people, American Black people, we are all pretty much mixed.
@CocoYogenFruz In other words Lena Horne was like most of the African Americans, a mixture of Native American ( my mother is 3/4 native American) African American and European ( my father, like the majority of us Blacks has European blood in addition to being African American). I have met Ms, Horne when I was a kid at the NAACP convention, she was great and spoke of growing up Black in America.
Jeanne Crain did a wonderful job in the film, but I found it hypocritical to cast her in the title role. You're either going to challenge people on their prejudices or you're not. Hiring a white actress to play a black character was the latter.
Jeanne Crain gave an absolutely marvelous performance, but the role should have gone Lena Horne. It's still a wonderful picture, but its message misses its mark in compromising.
For 1949 this compelling film was very daring, only ten years after GWTW and three years after Uncle Remus in Song of the South. The cast are superb. I don't buy into the "Lena Horne was robbed" story (as much as I love Lena and saddened by the lack of starring opportunities, she couldn't have passed for white in this movie). Cast against type (Miss Girl-Next-Door), Jeanne Crain did a splendid job. Ethels Barrymore and Waters are GIANTS! Mr Newman's music score is brilliant!
in 49 they would barely cast a black actress in a leading role, let alone a casting part that would have angered whites. think about what the mind set was back then. whites would have been up in arms just like both black and white would be today.
the film is a period piece, based on history as they saw it in 1949. the casting is not an issue. the point of the film is very well received. passing or not passing is not an issue for anyone who hasn't experienced in personally, and Crain was nominated for this role and she deserved to be. it took guts to play something this controversial.
@bogercs well, according to US census records 30,000+ people have been doing just that each year since around 1846...
Makes you wonder how many whites in the US are really just that! Race classifications are almost as stupid as the people who uphold and adhere to them.
@bintasyllah You right. But let me ask you this. If they decide to do a remake of Pinky for 2010. Do you think they will pick a white actress such as Angelina Jolie to play Pinky? No! People will be up and arms about, and rightfully so.
Blacks will surely be upset about the casting so let's just hope they don't go there (though why would "they"). You keep evading the REAL issue here: Instead of using Halle, choose a woman who can PASS! I'd wanna see them pull it off. R U aware that so many WHITE people ARE PASSING (or whose parents passed)?! Especially in the Midwest + western seaboard. Passing works best where there are fewer blacks. Imagine H'wood says to America: "You TOO may be black!" It would bust it hell wide open.
The idea of picking a white woman to play a black woman is ridiculous today, but not in 1949. I guess the idea is that the white audiences would be more sympathize with her because subconsciously, they see a white woman being mistreated by white folks. Has the character played by a light skin black woman, the white audiences may not feel as bad for her because they would see her as a black person.
@Khantikone123 Why on earth would the directors and producers use a clearly black women to play a character who's able to pass as white when she can't? Actually, it's somewhat accurate. The only way you could PASS as white, was, well, to LOOK white. Many fair-skinned women on television today "passing" as black are often bi-racial women. Classifying women like Halle Berry, Alicia Keyes, Thandie Newton and the gang as white makes as much sense as classifying them as black. Literally.
I can also say Why on earth would the directors and producers use a clearly white woman to play a black character who's able to pass as white when it is so obvious that she is white to begin with. My point is Hollywood doesn't use minorities. They would have a white person played Asian, Indian, ect. If they would go through all the troubles with a makeup to disguise Fred Astaire as an Asian man, Why can the hire Dorothy Dandridge and dye her hair blonde to play Pinky?
@Khantikone123 Passing for white vs euro features are TOTALLY DIFFERENT. A friend's 2 sisters are passing and THAT look is not the Dorothy/Halle look. They CLEARLY have black features (Halle had face work); Venessa Williams is also too black. So, instead of casting a white woman as you say, they shoulda cast a girl passing, right? I get the ethnic issue, but to pass vs. use ethnic characters is an altogether different argument. Folks don't REALLY wanna talk about how passing works.
@bintasyllah I guess my point is, finally here is a first movie that dealt with an important issue and showed how black people were being persecuted simply because of his/her color. Hollywood had to pick white woman to play a black woman to tell the whole world what is like to be black. If I was a black person watching this movie, I would be insulted.
@Khantikone123 wow. With all due respect, what you've said is part of the problem. Firstly, race movies about the black experience in the US have been around since at least 1917. Part of the problem is that black Americans (Canada-Chile) don't really know their respective histories and immigrating Africans don't care about American black histories, because it's not their own, so many believe; not because they think they're better (which some US blacks believe). I guess this is too much
but, what makes this film so bad when it's so accurate? Problem is most BLACKS don't really understand WHO's able to pass. It's also convenient for directors to omit Pinky's parents --that can complicate matters. Nor is it about BLOND hair, as all white women color their hair! Blacks upset? Maybe, but the avg. has the same 'Good Hair' doc mentality as seen 100 years ago. The film is unique because she stays. For most blacks that CAN pass DO and most blacks WOULD. I wanna see THAT on film!
@Khantikone123 Obviously this movie, as all Hollywood movies, aren't really particular about technical accuracies in social roles. I was specifically talking about THIS movie. Now, according to US census records 30,000+ people have had status changes from black to white each year since around 1840, though 1850 was the 1st census inquiring of slaves' whereabouts. ...Naturally, only freed slaves could have passed since they were the only blacks able to self-identify in the census.
@bintasyllah I know this isn't a history lesson, but I'm always fascinated by period movies made up to the 1960's. Partially, because so many of the same issues then continue today, but NOONE talks about. I often wonder what blacks in those days would think of TV's portrayal of blacks today.
Blacks self-segregated amongst themselves then as much as whites did against them. And I understand they still do today, so I'm often confused by blacks response to perceived injustices in Hollywood.
I saw this on t.v. the other day. Between this and the two versions of Imitation of life, I like the first "Imitation of life" story with Claudette Colbert in 1934.
I was 12 when I was first saw this movie and now I'm 19 and this film becomes more beautiful every time I watch it. This movie was ahead of it's time for a reason.
@nognilk...why should "they" redo this, there are tons and tons of films just like this out there and with similar themes. From Showboat to Immitation Of Life there is the whole gammit. Some things don't need yet another re-make.
@nognilk Ahh, I see what you are saying, you want "them" to color it or remake it in color. The funny thing is that I have never in my life found "old films" aka NOIR (black and white) to be boring on the eyes, I find it to be enthralling and suspenseful. The contrasts and shadows are fascinating as the images. Still, interesting point :)
Hell the Jewish studio owners of the time did the same thing. Most changed their name and married Christians to better fit into white society. So of course they wouldn't want to anger the same society they were trying to fit into and further relationships with.
Ansem29201 2 weeks ago
Although I've seen both incarnations of "Imitation of life" I am just watching this film on Netflix. As a black woman I can understand the initial annoyance at early Hollywood's casting of whites to play mixed race characters. Yes it was stupid, but movies are a business. Yes there were plenty of black people that passed rather it was very much on purpose or through assumption and they probably wouldn't want to draw attention to themselves and bring hostility.
Ansem29201 2 weeks ago
Classic
0589marita 3 weeks ago
This looks like some cheesy Hollywood bs made to make white people feel good about themselves for tackling the "race issue." Give me a break! In 1949 blacks were still catching hell all over America.
TheRiobezerko 1 month ago
They had to cast a white woman (not even a mixed race woman) due to the reaction of an onscreen interracial kiss at the time. It was probably even illegal hah
shapeshifta85 3 months ago
@CocoYogenFruz Ms. Horne spoke to us for an hour, she spoke about how the studios would us this pancake makeup to lighten her skin because that was the standard of beauty back then. She looks like so many Black people in my family, She was part of the Cotton Club, they hired light skinned Blacks only but make no mistake these were Black people, American Black people, we are all pretty much mixed.
kimrabb 4 months ago
@CocoYogenFruz In other words Lena Horne was like most of the African Americans, a mixture of Native American ( my mother is 3/4 native American) African American and European ( my father, like the majority of us Blacks has European blood in addition to being African American). I have met Ms, Horne when I was a kid at the NAACP convention, she was great and spoke of growing up Black in America.
kimrabb 4 months ago
Jeanne Crain did a wonderful job in the film, but I found it hypocritical to cast her in the title role. You're either going to challenge people on their prejudices or you're not. Hiring a white actress to play a black character was the latter.
Jeanne Crain gave an absolutely marvelous performance, but the role should have gone Lena Horne. It's still a wonderful picture, but its message misses its mark in compromising.
KittColby 10 months ago 3
@KittColby Lena Horne didn't look white and that's the whole point of the movie.
hjb103055 4 months ago
For 1949 this compelling film was very daring, only ten years after GWTW and three years after Uncle Remus in Song of the South. The cast are superb. I don't buy into the "Lena Horne was robbed" story (as much as I love Lena and saddened by the lack of starring opportunities, she couldn't have passed for white in this movie). Cast against type (Miss Girl-Next-Door), Jeanne Crain did a splendid job. Ethels Barrymore and Waters are GIANTS! Mr Newman's music score is brilliant!
TheLizzie12 11 months ago
william lundigen! what a fdreamboat!
PETETHEMEAT42 1 year ago
in 49 they would barely cast a black actress in a leading role, let alone a casting part that would have angered whites. think about what the mind set was back then. whites would have been up in arms just like both black and white would be today.
ElektraHubcap 1 year ago
the film is a period piece, based on history as they saw it in 1949. the casting is not an issue. the point of the film is very well received. passing or not passing is not an issue for anyone who hasn't experienced in personally, and Crain was nominated for this role and she deserved to be. it took guts to play something this controversial.
ElektraHubcap 1 year ago
I'm not sure if it's actually possible for black people to become white and I'm not saying it to be racist.
bogercs 1 year ago
@bogercs well, according to US census records 30,000+ people have been doing just that each year since around 1846...
Makes you wonder how many whites in the US are really just that! Race classifications are almost as stupid as the people who uphold and adhere to them.
bintasyllah 1 year ago
@bintasyllah You right. But let me ask you this. If they decide to do a remake of Pinky for 2010. Do you think they will pick a white actress such as Angelina Jolie to play Pinky? No! People will be up and arms about, and rightfully so.
Khantikone123 1 year ago
Blacks will surely be upset about the casting so let's just hope they don't go there (though why would "they"). You keep evading the REAL issue here: Instead of using Halle, choose a woman who can PASS! I'd wanna see them pull it off. R U aware that so many WHITE people ARE PASSING (or whose parents passed)?! Especially in the Midwest + western seaboard. Passing works best where there are fewer blacks. Imagine H'wood says to America: "You TOO may be black!" It would bust it hell wide open.
bintasyllah 1 year ago
The idea of picking a white woman to play a black woman is ridiculous today, but not in 1949. I guess the idea is that the white audiences would be more sympathize with her because subconsciously, they see a white woman being mistreated by white folks. Has the character played by a light skin black woman, the white audiences may not feel as bad for her because they would see her as a black person.
Khantikone123 1 year ago
@Khantikone123 Why on earth would the directors and producers use a clearly black women to play a character who's able to pass as white when she can't? Actually, it's somewhat accurate. The only way you could PASS as white, was, well, to LOOK white. Many fair-skinned women on television today "passing" as black are often bi-racial women. Classifying women like Halle Berry, Alicia Keyes, Thandie Newton and the gang as white makes as much sense as classifying them as black. Literally.
bintasyllah 1 year ago
@bintasyllah
I can also say Why on earth would the directors and producers use a clearly white woman to play a black character who's able to pass as white when it is so obvious that she is white to begin with. My point is Hollywood doesn't use minorities. They would have a white person played Asian, Indian, ect. If they would go through all the troubles with a makeup to disguise Fred Astaire as an Asian man, Why can the hire Dorothy Dandridge and dye her hair blonde to play Pinky?
Khantikone123 1 year ago
@Khantikone123 Passing for white vs euro features are TOTALLY DIFFERENT. A friend's 2 sisters are passing and THAT look is not the Dorothy/Halle look. They CLEARLY have black features (Halle had face work); Venessa Williams is also too black. So, instead of casting a white woman as you say, they shoulda cast a girl passing, right? I get the ethnic issue, but to pass vs. use ethnic characters is an altogether different argument. Folks don't REALLY wanna talk about how passing works.
bintasyllah 1 year ago
@bintasyllah I guess my point is, finally here is a first movie that dealt with an important issue and showed how black people were being persecuted simply because of his/her color. Hollywood had to pick white woman to play a black woman to tell the whole world what is like to be black. If I was a black person watching this movie, I would be insulted.
Khantikone123 1 year ago
@Khantikone123 wow. With all due respect, what you've said is part of the problem. Firstly, race movies about the black experience in the US have been around since at least 1917. Part of the problem is that black Americans (Canada-Chile) don't really know their respective histories and immigrating Africans don't care about American black histories, because it's not their own, so many believe; not because they think they're better (which some US blacks believe). I guess this is too much
bintasyllah 1 year ago
but, what makes this film so bad when it's so accurate? Problem is most BLACKS don't really understand WHO's able to pass. It's also convenient for directors to omit Pinky's parents --that can complicate matters. Nor is it about BLOND hair, as all white women color their hair! Blacks upset? Maybe, but the avg. has the same 'Good Hair' doc mentality as seen 100 years ago. The film is unique because she stays. For most blacks that CAN pass DO and most blacks WOULD. I wanna see THAT on film!
bintasyllah 1 year ago
@Khantikone123 Obviously this movie, as all Hollywood movies, aren't really particular about technical accuracies in social roles. I was specifically talking about THIS movie. Now, according to US census records 30,000+ people have had status changes from black to white each year since around 1840, though 1850 was the 1st census inquiring of slaves' whereabouts. ...Naturally, only freed slaves could have passed since they were the only blacks able to self-identify in the census.
bintasyllah 1 year ago
@bintasyllah I know this isn't a history lesson, but I'm always fascinated by period movies made up to the 1960's. Partially, because so many of the same issues then continue today, but NOONE talks about. I often wonder what blacks in those days would think of TV's portrayal of blacks today.
Blacks self-segregated amongst themselves then as much as whites did against them. And I understand they still do today, so I'm often confused by blacks response to perceived injustices in Hollywood.
bintasyllah 1 year ago
I saw this on t.v. the other day. Between this and the two versions of Imitation of life, I like the first "Imitation of life" story with Claudette Colbert in 1934.
ekocentric 1 year ago
Great movie
stllunder 2 years ago
i just saw this movie today and i love it. it's vey much like imation of life and Queen with halle berry but still A good movie
sexsiren26 2 years ago
I was 12 when I was first saw this movie and now I'm 19 and this film becomes more beautiful every time I watch it. This movie was ahead of it's time for a reason.
estupido7490 2 years ago
I know he's such a good director I love his films!
RandiSierra 2 years ago
@estupido7490 How is it ahead of it's time? This EXACT same scenario has been going on in very large numbers for AT LEAST 250 years in the USA.
bintasyllah 1 year ago
You morons have no taste in films. Totally corny and soapy. I hate the tragic mullato.
yak6ex 2 years ago
"who found out too late"?
methogonzo 2 years ago 4
@methogonzo Lol. I know right, He passin' too! Lol.... That's why he's ok with it.
bintasyllah 1 year ago
just watched this earlier in my film class. Jeanne Crain is so beautiful in this role
trickmastermonkey 2 years ago 4
great, classic film. sadly, it has been over looked for quite some time now.
johnrunion 2 years ago
they should redo this movie
nognilk 3 years ago 2
@nognilk...why should "they" redo this, there are tons and tons of films just like this out there and with similar themes. From Showboat to Immitation Of Life there is the whole gammit. Some things don't need yet another re-make.
TTLYPerfect 2 years ago
because sometimes old films are boring on the eyes. They should remake it in color.
nognilk 2 years ago
@nognilk Ahh, I see what you are saying, you want "them" to color it or remake it in color. The funny thing is that I have never in my life found "old films" aka NOIR (black and white) to be boring on the eyes, I find it to be enthralling and suspenseful. The contrasts and shadows are fascinating as the images. Still, interesting point :)
TTLYPerfect 2 years ago