Asif Abrar

Olga James

Biography: Olga James Adderley-Chandler (February 16, 1929 – January 25, 2025) was born into a musical family – her father played the saxaphone, her mother was a dancer – James would attend Julliard in New York City where she studied opera. She made her professional debut in 1952 in Paris, performing in the opera Four Saints in Three Acts. After returning to America, James was hired to perform in the all-Black revue at Atlantic City’s Club Harlem. It was while performing in the revue that she got an audition for Preminger’s Carmen Jones, an all-Black musical based on Georges Bizet’s opera Carmen, landing the role of Cindy Lou, the fiancée of Belafonte’s Joe. Two years after Carmen Jones, James gave her first and only Broadway performance in 1956’s Mr. Wonderful, playing the character Ethel Pearson, who sings the title song. Through her high-profile performances in film and on Broadway, James became a prolific and popular nightclub performer. She met and, in 1962, married the saxophonist Julian 'Cannonball' Adderley, their union lasting until his death in 1975. In 1990, James married singer and civil rights activist Len Chandler, who died in 2023.

Place of Birth: Not available

Birthday: February 16, 1929

Deathday: January 25, 2025

Popularity:

0.881

Known For

Carmen Jones

1954-10-28

Overview: At a parachute factory during WWII, vixen Carmen Jones seduces an engaged soldier to avoid imprisonment.

Genres: Drama Romance

Original Language: en

Release Date: 1954-10-28

Popularity:

0.881

Rating:

Votes: 83

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Dorothy Dandridge: An American Beauty

2003-06-24

Overview: Actor Obba Babatundé hosts this biopic showcasing the life of acclaimed African-American singer and actress Dorothy Dandridge, who overcame racism and personal tragedy to become one of the most acclaimed performers of Hollywood's golden age. The film combines rare historical footage of Dandridge, on and off the stage, and interviews with stars such as Laurence Fishburne, Jasmine Guy and Halle Berry discussing her powerful legacy.

Genres: Documentary

Original Language: en

Release Date: 2003-06-24

Popularity:

0.881

Rating:

Votes: 2

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Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1950s: The Golden Era of the Musical

2009-03-10

Overview: During the 1950s, musical masterpieces that have yet to be equaled were produced in Cinemascope with stereophonic sound. These two episodes explore how the post-war years were alive with bold experimentation in musical film. Later in the decade, Rock & Roll became the musical choice of the younger generation and movie musicals followed suit. Highlights of this 2-part program include: Films based on smash Broadway musicals become the rage. A pretty starlet with no musical training named Marilyn Monroe takes the country by storm in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." With favorites from the previous decade continue to delight audiences: Rock & Roll films, songs and musical numbers.

Genres: Documentary

Original Language: en

Release Date: 2009-03-10

Popularity:

0.881

Rating:

Votes: 0

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Hollywood Singing & Dancing: A Musical History - 1980s, 1990s and 2000s

2009-08-11

Overview: In the 1980s we got our MTV but seemed to have lost much of the musical film in the process. But the genre is resilient. A handful of masterpieces along with a few cult classics emerged from this decade. In the 1990s the Hollywood musical was largely animated, rather than live action. However, television had a surprising number of musical offerings, including “Gypsy” with Bette Midler and “Annie” which launched director Rob Marshall. In the 2000s musicals came back starting with “Moulin Rouge” and carrying on with “Chicago,” “Dreamgirls” and “Hairspray.” There are movies based on Broadway triumphs and once again there are teens singing and dancing.

Genres: Documentary Music

Original Language: en

Release Date: 2009-08-11

Popularity:

0.881

Rating:

Votes: 0

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