"From the 1930s to the 1960s, Bette Davis was not only Hollywood's brightest star but one of its most outspoken advocates on matters of race, promoting Black actors, joining Black political organizations, and taking on roles that highlighted the tragedy of American racism. In Bette Davis Black and White, Julia Stern explores this untold part of Davis's career. Stern also weaves into the book her own experience as a young viewer, telling the story of how she, a Jewish teenager in a white suburb, embraced Davis as her idol ...
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"From the 1930s to the 1960s, Bette Davis was not only Hollywood's brightest star but one of its most outspoken advocates on matters of race, promoting Black actors, joining Black political organizations, and taking on roles that highlighted the tragedy of American racism. In Bette Davis Black and White, Julia Stern explores this untold part of Davis's career. Stern also weaves into the book her own experience as a young viewer, telling the story of how she, a Jewish teenager in a white suburb, embraced Davis as her idol and learned from the Black performers in Davis's company. There was, for example, Ernest Anderson, whom Davis mentored and arranged to be cast opposite her in In This Our Life (1942), and who wrote a speech for his character that would become the signal expression of anti-racism in the movies of that decade. Stern discusses this and other Bette Davis films-notably The Little Foxes (1941), Jezebel (1938), and What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)-against the history of American race relations. In Stern's hands, Davis's egalitarian politics, and the original way in which she and her Black costars collaborated, offer a window into mid-century American racial fantasy and the efforts of Black performers to disrupt it. She incorporates testimony from Davis's Black fans, including James Baldwin and C.L.R. James, as well as the African Americans who wrote letters to Warner Brothers praising Davis's work. Stern also grapples with an episode-at once dismaying and illustrative of Davis's contradictions-in which the aging star donned blackface"--
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Seller's Description:
Good. The book may have minor cosmetic wear (i.e. creased spine/cover, scratches, curled corners, folded pages, minor sunburn, minor water damage, minor bent). The book may have some highlights/notes/underlined pages-Accessories such as CD, codes, toys, may not be included-Safe and Secure Mailer-No Hassle Return.
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Good-Bumped and creased book with tears to the extremities, but not affecting the text block, may have remainder mark or previous owner's name-GOOD PAPERBACK Standard-sized.
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Fair. Acceptable-This is a significantly damaged book. It should be considered a reading copy only. Please order this book only if you are interested in the content and not the condition. May be ex-library. PAPERBACK Standard-sized.
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Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 256 p. Contains: Illustrations. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 256 p. Contains: Illustrations. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
