Dorothy Dandridge Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Dorothy Dandridge
Book Review: Haphazard
Summary: 2 Stars
I thought the book was poorly organized and had factual errors. Okay, I'll give the guy a break because he's not a pro writer. Its haphazard arrangement is confusing, and he seems to have had only one source, the subject. He believed anything she said without checking it out with anyone else. The coda of the paperback edition, which has details about the movie, is written in an extremely annoying, fawning style with lots of out-of-place, phony enthusiasm. I'm surprised the movie turned out so good, being made from this book. The only good part is if you're a fan of one of the movie's stars, as I am, it has quotes from some of them.Book Review: Hollywood was not ready for her -- and it showed.
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a story of Dandridge's life as told by someone who obviously loved Dorothy very much (Mills and Dandridge had a personal friendship as well as a professional relationship). Being her manager, Mills had access to and shows here many, many photos of the beautiful Dandridge. On the outside looking in, Mills tells the story of a woman who seems to have been abused -- physically, emotionally, at times sexually -- since day one. But she was very smart and very talented and she knew what she wanted. And for the most part, she accomplished it -- she was the premier black American actress (as well as sex symbol) of her generation. She could act, she could sing, she could dance -- she seemed to have it all. But Hollywood was not really ready for Dorothy and it showed; Dorothy was a comely, sexy romantic lead in her pictures, but whether or not she could just kiss her often white male co-star would throw the producers and the studios into a tizzy, resulting in a frustrated Dandridge acting in movies where her reel relationships were more implied rather than shown. There was even more frustration in Dorothy's real relationships with white men; though they'd gladly court her, they wouldn't take the next step and marry her. The one white man who did take that next step and married her seems to have been interested more in Dorothy's money than her charms. Bankruptcy and ill health contributed to the decline of Dorothy's later life and career. Still, she persevered and was on the way to making a comeback -- but this was cut short by her untimely death. It was Mills who found Dandridge lying on the floor of her apartment. But was it a suicide or an accidental death? Similar to the deaths of Hollywood legends Judy Garland and Marilyn Monroe, we may never know...Book Review: Less Is More. . .
Summary: 3 Stars
Having read Donald Bogle's version, where you get endless details, Earl does a concise, though captivating, story. You get the relevant facts from someone who was a manager, friend, and ultimately, lover. Earl's version captures the essence of Dorothy Dandridge beautifully. You get to know her, see her, (he has some photographs that I've not seen in other books) and get a feel of what she was about. In your minds eye you can visualize her just as Earl does. He depicts her eloquently and gives a good, factual description of her career and all the trials and tribulations that she endured. His story (Dorothy's story) is about many things. Love, rascism, what being a 'colored' woman really meant during her time and he also gives a notable account of how things really haven't changed. Because Dorothy was gorgeous, talented and because she never found the love that she was searching for, even though she had the man who truly loved her right by her side, is what makes this story a tragic one. The side story about her retarded daughter is also extremely heart-wrenching.Book Review: Memories from a friend
Summary: 4 Stars
Putting the best light on his friend, Mills presents a good recitation of facts that really begins when Dandridge was first "discovered". More information comes from the additional material by Halle Berry and others at the end of the book. Mills has a bias toward the actress that is probably love. He presents primarily good and inspirational items about Dandridge and leaves out the other. I would have prefered a more objective read, but this is one perspective. There are not too many books about this lady, so a really objective one would be good.
The book reads quickly, holds your interest, (although it didn't "grip" it) and the pictures are an added bonus.
I recommend it for anyone looking at this actress, the African American experience in film or for a light read.
Book Review: This excellent book is the one the movie is based on
Summary: 4 Stars
I enjoyed this excellent, easy to read book of Dorothy Dandridge's careet. The pages of information about the movie stars who played Dorothy Dandridge, Otto Preminger and Earl Mills were outstanding. I could have kept reading forever.