So Cringe worthy!!!! how did they know not to do this black face? Wasn't it common practice in the 50's to still do mock minstrel shows in black face. I've seen Joan crawford in a dance number in black face. How did the director predict that to give his movie any longevity he had to lose the black face.
shareThe minstrel show is a great number. It was a little weird that they didn't do any of it in blackface, but it still worked anyway.
shareYeah, okay, so this 1954 movie doesn’t reflect our more enlightened 21st century values. Why would it? What I find cringe-worthy about the minstrel number is its campiness - especially Vera Ellen. Her vamping & winking at the camera, the silly choreography - and her foot going up in the air when they carry her up the stairs! Even Rosemary Clooney, in her commentary, laughs at that.
shareI saw the word minstrel so I was expecting blackface. I was surprised when there was none. Very woke for its time to recognize it was wrong.
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