Pearl Bailey
Biography: Pearl Mae Bailey, born in Virginia on March 29, 1918, was an American actress and singer. Bailey began by singing and dancing in Philadelphia’s black nightclubs in the 1930s, and soon started performing in other parts of the East Coast. In 1941, during World War II, Bailey toured the country with the USO, performing for American troops. After the tour, she settled in New York. Her solo successes as a nightclub performer were followed by acts with such entertainers as Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington. In 1946, Bailey made her Broadway debut in St. Louis Woman. Bailey continued to tour and record albums in between her stage and screen performances. Her rendition of "Takes Two to Tango" hit the top ten in 1952. On November 19, 1952, Bailey married jazz drummer Louie Bellson in London. They adopted a child, Tony, in the mid-1950s, and subsequently a girl, Dee Dee J. Bellson, born April 20, 1960. In 1954, she took the role of Frankie in the film version of Carmen Jones, and her rendition of "Beat Out That Rhythm on the Drum" is one of the highlights of the film. She also starred in the Broadway musical House of Flowers. In 1959, she played the role of Maria in the film version of Porgy and Bess, starring Sidney Poitier and Dorothy Dandridge. Also that year, she played the role of "Aunt Hagar" in the movie St. Louis Blues, alongside Mahalia Jackson, Eartha Kitt, and Nat King Cole. Though she was originally considered for the part of Annie Johnson in the 1959 film Imitation of Life, the part went to Juanita Moore. A passionate fan of the New York Mets, Bailey sang the national anthem at Shea Stadium prior to game 5 of the 1969 World Series, and appears in the Series highlight film showing her support for the team. She also sang the national anthem prior to game 1 of the 1981 World Series between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium. Bailey, a Republican, was appointed by President Richard Nixon as America's "Ambassador of Love" in 1970. She attended several meetings of the United Nations and later appeared in a campaign ad for President Gerald Ford in the 1976 election. Also during the 1970s she had her own television show, and she also provided voices for animations such as Tubby the Tuba (1976) and Disney's The Fox and the Hound (1981). She returned to Broadway in 1975, playing the lead in an all-black production of Hello, Dolly!. At age 67, she earned a B.A. in theology from GeorgetownUniversity in Washington, D.C., in 1985. Later in her career, Bailey was a fixture as a spokesperson in a series of Duncan Hines commercials, singing "Bill Bailey (Won't You Come Home)". In her later years Bailey wrote several books: The Raw Pearl (1968), Talking to Myself (1971), Pearl's Kitchen (1973), and Hurry Up America and Spit (1976). In 1975 she was appointed special ambassador to the United Nations by President Gerald Ford. Her last book, Between You and Me (1989), details her experiences with higher education. In 1988 Bailey received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Ronald Reagan. On August 17, 1990, Bailey died of heart condition. She is buried at RollingGreenMemorial Park in West Chester, Pennsylvania. During her lifetime, she won a Tony Award for the title role in the all-black production of Hello, Dolly! in 1968. In 1986, she won a Daytime Emmy award for her performance as a fairy godmother in the ABC Afterschool Special, Cindy Eller: A Modern Fairy Tale.
Place of Birth: Not available
Birthday: March 29, 1918
Deathday: August 17, 1990
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Known For
Porgy and Bess
1959-06-24
Porgy and Bess
Overview: In the early 1900s, the fictional Catfish Row section of Charleston, South Carolina serves as home to a black fishing community. Crippled beggar Porgy, who travels about in a goat-drawn cart, loves the drug-addicted Bess, who lives with stevedore Crown, the local bully.
Genres: Music Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1959-06-24
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The Fox and the Hound
1981-07-10
The Fox and the Hound
Overview: When a feisty little fox named Tod is adopted into a farm family, he quickly becomes friends with a fun and adorable hound puppy named Copper. Life is full of hilarious adventures until Copper is expected to take on his role as a hunting dog -- and the object of his search is his best friend!
Genres: Adventure Animation Drama Family
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1981-07-10
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The Landlord
1970-05-20
The Landlord
Overview: At the age of twenty-nine, Elgar Enders "runs away" from home. This running away consists of buying a building in a black ghetto in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn. Initially, his intention is to evict the black tenants and convert the building into a posh flat. But Elgar is not one to be bound by yesterday's urges, and soon he has other thoughts on his mind.
Genres: Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-05-20
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Carmen Jones
1954-10-28
Carmen Jones
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
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Cindy Eller: A Modern Fairy Tale
1985-10-09
Cindy Eller: A Modern Fairy Tale
Overview: A contemporary remake of "Cinderella"
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1985-10-09
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Norman... Is That You?
1976-09-29
Norman... Is That You?
Overview: Ben and Beatrice Chambers discover that their son Norman is gay and so Ben is intent on setting him right.
Genres: Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1976-09-29
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Peter Gunn
1989-04-23
Peter Gunn
Overview: Peter Gunn, a connoisseur of beautiful women and cool jazz, is an ex-cop turned private eye who's caught in the middle of a dangerous gang war.
Genres: TV Movie Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1989-04-23
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All the Fine Young Cannibals
1960-09-15
All the Fine Young Cannibals
Overview: An ambitious farm girl rushes into marriage with a rich man, almost destroying four lives in the process.
Genres: Romance Drama Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1960-09-15
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Variety Girl
1947-08-29
Variety Girl
Overview: Dozens of star and character-actor cameos and a message about the Variety Club (a show-business charity) are woven into a framework about two hopeful young ladies who come to Hollywood, exchange identities, and cause comic confusion (with slapstick interludes) throughout the Paramount studio.
Genres: Music Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1947-08-29
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That Certain Feeling
1956-06-04
That Certain Feeling
Overview: When Larry Larkin's comic strip needs some freshening up, he calls in ghost-writer Francis X. Dignan to help him with the strip. Things get complicated when Francis rekindles his love for his ex-wife, who happens to be Larkin's secretary and soon-to-be wife.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1956-06-04
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Isn't It Romantic?
1948-10-06
Isn't It Romantic?
Overview: Three sisters find romance in post-Civil War Indiana.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1948-10-06
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Satan Claus
2010-01-01
Satan Claus
Overview: With the clock ticking and the body count rising, Homicide Detective Timothy Reynolds reluctantly volunteers to assist his former partner, Detective Alan Fryer, with the investigation to a slew of grisly murders left behind by a mission orientated killer during the Christmas holidays.
Genres: Action Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2010-01-01
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Tubby the Tuba
1975-04-30
Tubby the Tuba
Overview: When Tubby the Tuba sets out to find a melody all of his own, his journey results in this enchanting and exciting musical tale. Tubby joins the circus and striving to be part of an orchestra, he travels to the Singing City where along the way he encounters many wonderful characters.
Genres: Family Animation
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1975-04-30
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The Ultimate Collection Starring Johnny Carson - The Best of the 60s and 70s
2002-10-13
The Ultimate Collection Starring Johnny Carson - The Best of the 60s and 70s
Overview: From those early days of black and white with Ed Ames' memorable Tomahawk toss, to Tiny Tim's Technicolor wedding, to Letterman and Leno's stand-up debuts; the first decade of The Tonight Show was filled with once-in-a-lifetime classic TV moments. This volume includes: Pearl Baily, Buddy Hackett, Steve Martin, George Carlin, Flip Wilson, Don Rickles, Dolly Parton and more!
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2002-10-13
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The Member of the Wedding
1982-12-20
The Member of the Wedding
Overview: 12-year-old tomboy Frankie Addams dreams of going away with her brother and his bride-to-be on their upcoming honeymoon. [Taped live in performance at the James K. Polk Theater, Nashville.]
Genres: Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1982-12-20
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Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life
1981-04-26
Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life
Overview: Former Disney child star Hayley Mills returns to the Walt Disney Studio for a look at the techniques of animated film production, with various veteran Disney animators illustrating said techniques.
Genres: Animation Family Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1981-04-26
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Bing Crosby: Rediscovered
2014-12-02
Bing Crosby: Rediscovered
Overview: Bing Crosby was, without a doubt, the most popular and influential multi-media star of the first half of the twentieth century, pulling audiences in with his intimate, laid-back voice and innate charm. Narrated by Stanley Tucci and directed by Robert Trachtenberg, this film explores the life and legend of this iconic performer, revealing a personality far more complex than the image the public had only thought they'd known.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2014-12-02
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TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
2004-01-01
TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
Overview: Discover how television has reflected the African American experience in this retrospective of the medium's first half-century. Actors, writers and historians discuss the image of black America on television from Amos and Andy to the present day. The interviews accompany clips from groundbreaking shows and performances by entertainment pioneers that create a timeline of the portrayal of African Americans throughout TV history.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2004-01-01
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St. Louis Blues
1958-04-07
St. Louis Blues
Overview: Will Handy grows up in Memphis with his preacher father and his Aunt Hagar. His father intends for him to use his musical gifts only in church, but he can't stay away from the music of the streets and workers. After he writes a theme song for a local politician, Gogo, a speakeasy singer, convinces Will to be her accompanist. Will is estranged from his father for many years while he writes and publishes many blues songs. At last the family is reunited when Gogo brings them to New York to see Will's music played by a symphony orchestra.
Genres: Drama History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1958-04-07
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The World of Nat King Cole
2004-06-15
The World of Nat King Cole
Overview: Combining rare original archive footage, home movies and authored by 40 intimate interviews with friends and celebrity fans this feature length film charts Nat "King" Cole's battle with racist 50’s America to become a superstar. An intimate portrait, it’s filled with music and accompanied the release of the album of the same name.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2004-06-15
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Great Broadway Musical Moments from the Ed Sullivan Show
2003-07-22
Great Broadway Musical Moments from the Ed Sullivan Show
Overview: Relive the dazzling show stopping songs, dances and production numbers from some of your favorite Broadway musicals. Great Broadway Musical Moments from The Ed Sullivan Show brings you legendary musical entertainment performed by a galaxy of great Broadway stars like Ethel Merman in "Annie Get Your Gun," John Raitt in "Oklahoma!," Julie Andrews in "Camelot," and more! This exciting event includes exclusive interviews with legends Shirley Jones, Joel Grey, and Rex Reed.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2003-07-22
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Carol Channing and Pearl Bailey: On Broadway
1969-03-16
Carol Channing and Pearl Bailey: On Broadway
Overview: "On Broadway" featured Carol Channing and Pearl Bailey, both red hot after their respective runs in the smash hit "Hello, Dolly!" on Broadway. The special was filmed on the stage of the Wintergarden Theater in New York and originally aired on ABC in 1969. Together the theatrical legends playfully perform some of their most popular hits, including 'A Little Girl from Little Rock,' 'Little Green Apples,' 'If My Friends Could See Me Now,' and 'Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey.' Next, they perform an assortment of familiar showtunes including hits from "Guys and Dolls," "The Music Man," "Hello, Dolly!," and "Fiddler on the Roof." "On Broadway" is an entertaining step back in time.
Genres: Music Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1969-03-16
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Passing the Baton: The Making of The Fox and the Hound
2003-10-10
Passing the Baton: The Making of The Fox and the Hound
Overview: A look at the making of the classic 1981 Disney film that saw the transition from Disney's Nine Old Men to the new guard who would usher in the Disney Renaissance.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2003-10-10
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Night of 100 Stars
1982-03-08
Night of 100 Stars
Overview: The most glittering, expensive, and exhausting videotaping session in television history took place Friday February 19, 1982 at New York's Radio City Music Hall. The event, for which ticket-buyers paid up to $1,000 a seat (tax-deductible as a contribution to the Actors' Fund) was billed as "The Night of 100 Stars" but, actually, around 230 stars took part. And most of the audience of 5,800 had no idea in advance that they were paying to see a TV taping, complete with long waits for set and costume changes, tape rewinding, and the like. Executive producer Alexander Cohen estimated that the 5,800 Radio City Music Hall seats sold out at prices ranging from $25 to $1,000. The show itself cost about $4 million to produce and was expected to yield around $2 million for the new addition to the Actors Fund retirement home in Englewood, N. J. ABC is reputed to have paid more than $5 million for the television rights.
Genres: Comedy Music TV Movie Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1982-03-08
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One More Time
1974-01-10
One More Time
Overview: Musical comedy stars of the past and present bridge the musical generation gap as they perform their particular specialties and re-create some memorable moments in show business. Highlights include Broadway's two great "Dollies", Pearl Bailey and Carol Channing, performing the top songs from "Hello Dolly!"; Patti Andrews of the Andrews Sisters joining the Pointer Sisters in the runaway hit of 1937, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schon"; the musical blending of the Mills Brothers and the Jackson Five.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1974-01-10
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