Customer Reviews

Dorothy Dandridge

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Dorothy Dandrige's friends hated this book and I can't understand why. Earl Mills, knew her as well, if not better, than anyone else and his book does a fine job in telling the reader why DD was so tragic. The humiliations, the anger, the stupidity that she had to put up with from Hollywood and America are all spelled out without going into hundreds of pages. The story of DD's ghastly marriages and her retarded daughter were quite moving. This book is respectful of DDs memory and is clearly written by a man who loved her and was able to see the real woman behind the star. Frankly, I enjoyed this far more than I did the huge minutiae laden book by Donald Bogle.

Having read Donald Bogle's version, where you get endless details, Earl does a concise, though captivating, story. You get the relevant facts from someone who was a manager, friend, and ultimately, lover. Earl's version captures the essence of Dorothy Dandridge beautifully. You get to know her, see her, (he has some photographs that I've not seen in other books) and get a feel of what she was about. In your minds eye you can visualize her just as Earl does. He depicts her eloquently and gives a good, factual description of her career and all the trials and tribulations that she endured. His story (Dorothy's story) is about many things. Love, rascism, what being a 'colored' woman really meant during her time and he also gives a notable account of how things really haven't changed. Because Dorothy was gorgeous, talented and because she never found the love that she was searching for, even though she had the man who truly loved her right by her side, is what makes this story a tragic one. The side story about her retarded daughter is also extremely heart-wrenching.

Putting the best light on his friend, Mills presents a good recitation of facts that really begins when Dandridge was first "discovered". More information comes from the additional material by Halle Berry and others at the end of the book.

Mills has a bias toward the actress that is probably love. He presents primarily good and inspirational items about Dandridge and leaves out the other. I would have prefered a more objective read, but this is one perspective. There are not too many books about this lady, so a really objective one would be good.

The book reads quickly, holds your interest, (although it didn't "grip" it) and the pictures are an added bonus.

I recommend it for anyone looking at this actress, the African American experience in film or for a light read.

This is a story of Dandridge's life as told by someone who obviously loved Dorothy very much (Mills and Dandridge had a personal friendship as well as a professional relationship). Being her manager, Mills had access to and shows here many, many photos of the beautiful Dandridge. On the outside looking in, Mills tells the story of a woman who seems to have been abused -- physically, emotionally, at times sexually -- since day one. But she was very smart and very talented and she knew what she wanted. And for the most part, she accomplished it -- she was the premier black American actress (as well as sex symbol) of her generation. She could act, she could sing, she could dance -- she seemed to have it all. But Hollywood was not really ready for Dorothy and it showed; Dorothy was a comely, sexy romantic lead in her pictures, but whether or not she could just kiss her often white male co-star would throw the producers and the studios into a tizzy, resulting in a frustrated Dandridge acting in movies where her reel relationships were more implied rather than shown. There was even more frustration in Dorothy's real relationships with white men; though they'd gladly court her, they wouldn't take the next step and marry her. The one white man who did take that next step and married her seems to have been interested more in Dorothy's money than her charms. Bankruptcy and ill health contributed to the decline of Dorothy's later life and career. Still, she persevered and was on the way to making a comeback -- but this was cut short by her untimely death. It was Mills who found Dandridge lying on the floor of her apartment. But was it a suicide or an accidental death? Similar to the deaths of Hollywood legends Judy Garland and Marilyn Monroe, we may never know...

I really enjoyed the book my Mr. Mills. You can see very clearly that he cared for her deeply. The pictures contained in the book show she was beautiful. Her life story was very tragic, much like Marilyn Mornroe. I think book is very well wriiten and makes reference to her career and feelings. I am sure Earl Mills knew her better than any other person in Hollywood.

I want to thank Earl Mills for writing this heartwarming book, Dorothy Dandridge. After watching the HBO special starring Halle Berry, I wanted to read more about the life of Dorothy Dandridge. I was so impressed with her, it moved me in ways inexplicable to others! I recommend this book to all. The book even goes in detail about the making of the HBO Movie. Halle Berry and Brent Spiner (who portrayed the author) comment on their experiences as well. You will not be disappointed.

I enjoyed this excellent, easy to read book of Dorothy Dandridge's careet. The pages of information about the movie stars who played Dorothy Dandridge, Otto Preminger and Earl Mills were outstanding. I could have kept reading forever.

The Book Dorothy Dandridge Gives an in dept understanding of Dorothy Dandridge's life as an actor an singer the book also explains all of the troubles that Dorothy has faced and overcame such as racism and jealousy and still she has managed to become the first African American to be nominated foe an academy award.
One thing that I liked about this book is that how it shows the determination that Dorothy Dandridge has had throughout her life it shows the ups and downs that she has faced and how she strives to reach Stardom.
In conclusion I would recommend this book to people who seeks guidance in their life and likes to use other peoples life stories to inspire them to better themselves.

I highly recommend this book because it written by someone who cared for Dorothy deeply. He was there during most of the events surrounding her stardom and can give an account of these events. It is much like Marilyn Monroe's tragic life, except Dorothy had so much talent and had to deal with all of the discrimination. I think anyone interested in learning about her life and rise to stardom would enjoy this book.

I really enjoyed the book my Mr. Mills. You can see very clearly that he cared for her deeply. The pictures contained in the book show she was beautiful. Her life story was very tragic, much like Marilyn Mornroe. I think book is very well wriiten and makes reference to her career and feelings. I am sure Earl Mills knew her better than any other person in Hollywood.