"Gorgeous both visually and textually, this book brings to light, as the title indicates, the "struggle for visibility" faced by African American actresses during what is usually called Hollywood's "Golden Age." Regester (African and Afro-American studies, Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill) organizes the book more or less chronologically, and begins with the career of Madame Sul-Te-Wan, who was a pioneering African American actress of the silents and continued working well into the sound era. The author follows this with discussions of Nina Mae McKinney, Louise Beavers, Fredi Washington, Hattie McDaniel, Lena Horne, Hazel Scott, Ethel Waters, and Dorothy Dandridge—all of whom were underutilized to a degree that seems almost criminal. Historically sound and superbly written, this volume highlights the numerous obstacles these talented women faced working in films during an overwhelmingly racist era. Pursuing their craft with elegance, style, and determination, all these women fought a constant battle against racial stereotyping, demeaning roles as servants and maids, and the racism that infected the country as a whole. An exemplary study of race in US cinema, this is easily the best book on the subject to date. Summing Up: Essential. All readers. — Choice"—G. A. Foster, University of Nebraska—Lincoln, Jan. 2011"Regester's work is an important synthesis of previous studies in the fields of film studies and history. Vol. 98.1, June 2011"—The Journal of American History"African American Actresses is an important addition to film history, film studies, and African American studies because it illuminates those who were often invisible. Regester's historical work is to be lauded as it uncovers significant information."—Black Camera"What Regester does well is present a holistic portrait of the lives of these women. She fuses both the personal and the professional into this narrative. Reviews of films, personal statements by the actresses to the press, and newspaper articles referencing the actresses' private lives provide the reader with a behind the scenes portrait of their struggles. Vol. 23 Issue 2, 2011"—Film History"A major tribute to nine talented black actresses and their complicated negotiations with white mainstream entertainment industry before Civil Rights, African American Actresses is an invaluable asset for students of ethnicity and race in Hollywood. Not only does Regester bring the early twentieth century American racial scene alive by detailing the politics that informed choices and roles of African American women actors, she also contributes richly to studies of stardom as refracted by the socio-cultural and political status of black people and women in America."—Scope"An exemplary study of race in US cinema, this is easily the best book on the subject to date. . . . Essential."—Choice"In this important work, Charlene Regester brings into focus the lives and careers of representative black women actresses in Hollywood across generational divides in order to reposition them beyond the confining shadow of otherness and marginality. The sum result is a re-telling and correction of history."—Audrey McCluskey, Indiana University Bloomington
