The upcoming MGM+ series titled “Hollywood Black” is such a thorough examination of Hollywood and how the industry has dealt with Blacks and, conversely, how Blacks have dealt with their representation in Hollywood. It is a must-see in yet another exploration of the importance of Blacks in film.
“Hollywood Black” chronicles the history of cinema, but from a radically Black perspective. By unearthing personal stories from actors, writers, directors, and producers who fought for their place on the page, behind the camera and on the screen, the series provides a critical re-examination of a quintessentially American story—in brilliant color.
Inspired by the book from historian Donald Bogle, “Hollywood Black” has as its Executive Producers Culture Machine’s Justin Simien and Kyle Laursen; Significant Productions’ Forest Whitaker and Nina Yang Bongiovi; RadicalMedia’s Dave Sirulnick, Stacey Reiss and Jon Kamen; Jeffrey Swartz; and Shayla Harris, who also serves as showrunner.
Simien said in a statement: “Hollywood, like many American industries, was built on Black culture and Black talent, even though it excluded Black people from many of its origin stories. [Hollywood Black] seeks to illuminate present-day controversies, from #OscarsSoWhite to the almost regular ‘blackface reveal’ of prominent white celebrities, told through the lens of Black individuals throughout Hollywood history. It’s the most important story I’ve been able to tell to date, on such a large scale, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to tell it with this team.”
The four-episode series debuts on August 11, with subsequent episodes on the next three Sundays. The episodes: Episode 1: Built On Our Backs. From the silent era to the late 1960s, an emboldened generation of Black actors and directors make films that counter denigrating imagery of Black people and forever changes Hollywood’s perception of Black storytellers.
Episode 2: The Defiant Ones – August 18. Following the unrest of the 1960s, Black filmmakers look to celebrate Black culture on screen. As Hollywood begins to see dollar signs, Black actors and directors try to maintain their dignity without selling out.
Episode 3: The Price of Admission – August 25. In the 1990s, a new generation of Black filmmakers and megastars are embraced by the studio system. Yet independent and female filmmakers who diverge from mainstream portrayals of Black life still struggle for recognition.
Episode 4: Dear Black People – September 1. After the election of President Barack Obama, Hollywood offers Black filmmakers more opportunities than ever. From “Selma” to “Get Out” to “Black Panther,” Black filmmakers embrace new genres to critical and commercial success.
The first film to have Black representation was a recently discovered film from 1898 named “Something Good – Negro Kiss,” which is a short film depicting an African American couple kissing and holding hands.
Some observations from Episode 1 of “Hollywood Black.” Oscar Micheaux was the first major Black feature filmmaker, initially noted for his race films—both silent and with sound—from 1919 through 1948. Many of his films were open, blunt and thought-provoking regarding certain racial issues of that time.
His films were in contrast to the widely celebrated film for white audiences’ appetites, “Birth of a Nation.” That film reportedly increased KKK membership and set the tone for the Red Summer of 1919, which dealt with white supremacist-led race riots throughout northern cities.
Regarding the struggles of actors Paul Robeson, Hattie McDaniel, Bert Williams, Stepin Fetchit and others, Ava DuVernay recognized the tremendous weight under which these actors performed—those particularly as shoeshine boys, maids and butlers.
“Looking at artists performing at a time when none of this is possible. On the set and off the set you are being treated as a second-class citizen. Nothing that we are being asked to do [now] is as hard as that.”
The work of Bill “Bojangles” Williams was noted in Shirley Temple films, as well as McDaniel’s Oscar-winning turn in “Gone With The Wind.”
Someone noted that, “Hattie McDaniel had an inner dignity that she brought to these roles. She is so good in terms of what she is able to bring to that part. The look that she gave Scarlett. That shade, side eye [that says] I will read you for filth without having to say anything else.”
W. Kamau Bell said that if GenZers saw the subservient way that Fetchit performed in films, they would have “premature aneurysms.”
Paul Robeson as leading man in “Showboat” in 1936 opened up doors for future leading men like Denzel Washington, and late actors Harry Belafonte, Sidney Poitier and Richard Roundtree.
Lena Horne’s granddaughter, Jenny Lumet, shared Horne’s trials. Horne worked at the Cotton Club as a dancer and was persuaded to see Louis Mayer of Metro Goldwyn Mayer about an acting job. She signed a seven-year contract with a stipulation that she would never play a domestic.
There was also an issue about Horne being passed up for the 1951 remake of “Showboat,” with Ava Gardner getting the role and using makeup that was created for Horne. “It was easier to put makeup on someone than to actually let them be in their skin,” said Cynthia Erivo.
The series also gave Poitier his well-deserved credit. “He had the willpower to transform himself. I stand on the shoulders of people like him,” said Whitaker.
Reginald Hudlin asked: “Do the times make a man, or does a man make the times,” when he said that the work of Dr. King and Poitier (who upheld a certain standard of Black excellence) was similar during the Civil Rights Era. “He [Poitier] should have won a Nobel Peace Prize instead of an Oscar.”
Finally, the first episode ended with declarations about the power of the image.
“Cinema is no less than one of the greatest tools of our liberation. Its images, the power of the image, can move the soul of the nation for better or worse. Our liberation lives and dies by who has control of the camera,” said Director Justin Simien.
Among other Black industry folks included in the series are Steven Caple, Jr., Ryan Coogler, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Issa Rae, Gabrielle Union, Lena Waithe, Boots Riley, Kasi Lemons, and more.
“Hollywood Black” is distributed worldwide by Amazon MGM Studios Distribution. Look for the first episode on August 11 on MGM+. Check out the trailer: https://youtu.be/SIlQeQ6Ke4M.
