BLG-2 Review of Introducing Dorothy Dandridge

Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999 TV Movie)

Good effort, but loaded with factual errors and over-dramatization

[4 September 2002]

A nice attempt at covering the life of a tragic but trailblazing Hollywood actress, but inaccurate at times. Having Ava Gardner have to introduce herself to anyone in 1951 (the same year Dorothy's Tarzan movie came out) was ridiculous; she was a household word by then. Obba Babatunde, though a fine actor, was way too old to play an early 20's Harold Nicholas (and obviously much older than the actor who played his older brother Fayard). When Dorothy declares she knows all about the South (which she would have, having played the chitlin' circuit in her childhood) and looking so shocked to learn she couldn't use the rest room was pure Hollywood drama. The movie never explained what happened to Geri's marriage to Fayard Nicholas, or if Earl Mills ever asked Dorothy to marry him . . . he was obviously in love with her. Oh, well. This is the same problem that exists with most Hollywood biographies.