Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, and Bucks: An Interpretive History of Blacks in American Films [Paperback]

Donald Bogle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 24, 2001 | ISBN-10: 082641267X | ISBN-13: 978-0826412676 | Edition: Fourth Edition

Completely updated to include the entire twentieth century, this new fourth edition covers all the latest directors, stars, and films including Summer of Sam, Jackie Brown, The Best Man, and The Hurricane. From The Birth of a Nation—the groundbreaking work of independent filmmaker Oscar Micheaux—and Gone with the Wind to the latest work by Spike Lee, John Singleton, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry and Will Smith, Donald Bogle reveals the ways in which the depiction of blacks in American movies has changed—and the shocking ways in which it has remained the same.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"America's leading historian on black cinema."—USA Today

"A well-researched and lively romp through the history of blacks in films. Far more inclusive and informative than previous books on the subject."—The New York Times

"Mr. Bogle continues to be our most noted black-cinema historian."-Spike Lee

"Bogle is passionate and good-humored. His book is valuable as a film reference work and social document."—Gene Siskel

"Thank goodness for Donald Bogle."—Essence

"No one tells the story of Black Tinseltown like Donald Bogle. From the writing of the classic best seller Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, and Bucks, to his definitive biography of Dorothy Dandridge, this film scholar has made Hollywood his town."—Essence (4/05)

Mentioned as the author’s “…landmark study” in a review for his new book. –Washington Post Book World, 2/27/05

About the Author

Donald Bogle is one of the foremost authorities on African Americans in film and the arts. He is the author of the classic Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, and Bucks: An Interpretive History of Blacks in American Films, which is published by Continuum. His best-selling Bright Boulevards, Bold Dreams: The Story of Black Hollywood received the Hurston/Wright Finalist Legacy Award in Non-fiction. His other books include the critically acclaimed Dorothy Dandridge: A Biography; Blacks in American Films and Television: An Illustrated Encyclopedia; and Primetime Blues: African Americans on Network Television. He has appeared on such television programs as Entertainment Tonight; Today; Good Morning, America; and Nightline; and has served as a commentator on such documentaries as Spike Lee's Jim Brown: All-American, American Movie Classics' Small Steps . . . Big Strides, and TV Land's three-part series on African Americans on television. He also co-hosted Turner Classic Movies' award-winning series Race and Hollywood. The first edition of the present book, Brown Sugar, covered eighty years of America's black female superstars, and was turned into the highly successful four-part PBS documentary series by Mr. Bogle.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Continuum; Fourth Edition edition (October 24, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082641267X
• ISBN-13: 978-0826412676
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,103 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Books I have read, November 13, 2005

By 

Minister General "JMH" (Dorchester, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, and Bucks: An Interpretive History of Blacks in American Films (Paperback)

This is perhaps the GREATEST book accounting the plight of Blacks in film. I read this book for a class titled "Blacks in the Electronic Media" during undergrad. After reading this book and watching television, I honestly felt as if I were let out of the "Matrix." To this day, I can not watch television and not be critical of whats being aired. These charatcters are very visible today at this very moment. If you want a deep experience and to fully understand whats on the television and the movie screen, BUY THIS BOOK!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent tool for teaching about race in America., July 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, and Bucks: An Interpretive History of Blacks in American Films (Paperback)

I use this book as a supplemental text for my classes in psychology. It is accessible reading, and carefully focussed. My students are able to use the stereotypes presented in the book to dissect how African Americans are portrayed in American film, historically and in the present.

25 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very important book, January 2, 2000

By 

A customer "mistermaxxx" (usa) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, and Bucks: An Interpretive History of Blacks in American Films (Paperback)

this book is a must for all.never mind that folks try to say that tv or entertainment doesn't matter.that's b s. cuz the images of african-americans from the film world,sports world&music world have left a lasting impact.and lets be honest what other race of people have been emulated,influential&scorned all at once from a visual image? this book speaks volumes of african-american history from the silent film era to now.and though there has been progress we still have a long ways to go.cuz the title of the book is still very much alive in hollywood&america.preception that is hasn't gone away.it is still reflected in some folks mind of rap music.the use of put down terms among rappers&folk out on the streets is reflected heavily in this book.which is a sad commentary.but this book is survial and the costs that were made to pave the way for future generations.