Dorothy Dandridge: Encyclopedia II - Dorothy Dandridge - Hollywood

Dorothy Dandridge - Hollywood

Dandridge began singing in her church's choir and, with the prodding of her mother, she and her sister began to perform as "The Wonder Children." After the Depression Ruby Jean Butler Dandridge, Vivian Dandridge, Dorothy Dandridge, and Neva (Ruby's lesbian lover/friend) moved to Hollywood. Her first on-screen appearance was as an extra in a 1935 Our Gang short called Teacher's Beau.

Dorothy Dandridge - A Day at the Races

Dorothy's first important role was a small part in the Marx Brothers' A Day at the Races in 1937 which her sister, Vivian Dandridge, and Etta Jones appear as "The Dandridge Sisters". The Dandridge Sisters traveled all over the world and even perfomed at the Cotton Club with the Nicholas Brothers.

Dorothy Dandridge - Four Shall Die

Dorothy Dandridge did not receive another role until 1940, when she appeared in Four Shall Die a race film in which she played a murderer at the age of 19. All of her early roles were stereotypical parts for African American actresses, but her singing ability brought her popularity in nightclubs around the country. During this period, she starred in several "soundies", video films designed to be displayed on juke boxes, including Paper Doll by the Mills Brothers Cow Cow Boogie, "Jig In The Jungle," "Mr. & Mrs. Carpenters (Rent Party)".

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Hollywood", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki