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Lena Horne’s life and career are truly remarkable in American film history. She was the first Black performer to become a true star—to receive the kind of glamour treatment at the fabled MGM that the studio had previously given to the likes of Greta Garbo, Jean Harlow, Lana Turner, and Ava Gardner. At the same time, Horne dealt with endless indignities, not the least of which was the fact that her roles in films was often as a musical performer, which allowed her numbers to be easily stripped out of films without affecting the narrative when played to audiences that would find her presence undesirable.
At long last, Lena Horne: Goddess Reclaimed gives the star her due. Through a highly informed and insightful narrative based on interviews, press accounts, studio archives, and decades of research, the book sheds new light on the star's compelling life and complicated career: her activism; her accomplishments and heady triumphs in movies, television, and nightclubs as she broke down long-standing barriers for Black individuals—especially Black women—and her solemn, sometimes bitter disappointments, both professional and personal. Illustrated by stunning photos (some published for the first time), this is the ultimate book on the icon.
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Creators
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Series
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Publisher
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Release date
October 31, 2023 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9780762475193
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9780762475193
- File size: 231108 KB
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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Starred review from October 1, 2023
Bogle (Black cinema history, Univ. of Pennsylvania and New York Univ.; Hollywood Black: The Stars, the Films, the Filmmakers) gives a richly detailed depiction of the life of singer and actress Lena Horne (1917-2010). Raised in an affluent Black family in New York, Horne moved between the homes of her stoic grandmother and her wayward mother. Seeing her burgeoning beauty as a path toward more income, Horne's mother persuaded her to take a job dancing at the Cotton Club. This led to her singing at nightclubs for bands and as a solo act. Eventually, she landed a contract with MGM Studios. Using archival interviews and newspaper articles, Bogle presents fascinating details about Horne's personal and professional lives, including her fierce political and social activism as she handled racism in Hollywood and later took part in the civil rights movement. Bogle also dives into her failed marriages and her love affairs with actor/director Orson Welles and boxer Joe Louis. The book is enhanced by roughly 250 color and black-and-white photos. An index, bibliography, and notes also make this a useful reference source. VERDICT An immensely enjoyable and comprehensive look at one of the most glamorous stars of her time.--Anjelica Rufus-Barnes
Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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