Introducing Dorothy Dandridge
Seen it?1999 | 115 min | Drama, TV Movie
Friday Night Flickearly ratingWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
It won 5 Emmys and it earned strong reviews (83% on Rotten Tomatoes). Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 55 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
An acclaimed stage performer, Dorothy still struggled with the challenge of her color, in a time that wouldn't let some stars in by the front door. Yet against the odds she beat out many more famous rivals for the role of "Carmen Jones", becoming the first black woman ever nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award. Marriages and affairs would break her heart, but her heart was strong. Seductive and easily seduced, she was born to be a star - with all the glory and all the pain of being loved, abused, cheated, glorified, undermined and undefeated. Here was a woman who wouldn't wait in the wings. Halle Berry stars as Dorothy Dandrige.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
83% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsVery strong
Won 5 Emmys: Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special and 1 more. Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television. Won 1 SAG Award: Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie. Won 1 DGA Award: Art Directors Guild Awards: Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Movie of the Week, Miniseries or Pilot. Also nominated for 6 more Emmys, 2 more Golden Globes and 1 more DGA Award. Plus 14 other awards.
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 50K people sought it out in the past year
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Cast & crew
Directed by Martha Coolidge
- Halle BerryDorothy Dandridge
- Brent SpinerEarl Mills
- Klaus Maria BrandauerOtto Preminger
- Obba BabatundéHarold Nicholas
- Loretta DevineRuby Dandridge
- Cynda WilliamsVivian Dandridge
- LaTanya Richardson JacksonAuntie
- Tamara TaylorGeri Nicholas
- William AthertonDarryl Zanuck
- D. B. SweeneyJack Denison