Somehow I managed to spend the entire evening last night immersed in a variety of 1918-1933 entertainments ~ all were delightful & worth sharing.

Universal released the box set Pre-Code Hollywood Collection: Universal Backlot Series recently, and last night I watched Hot Saturday and Torch Singer, both of which were fantastic. Pre-code is still so shocking to me, in some ways I find the treatment of sexuality, race, and intoxicants more “forward-thinking” than today.

I noticed an actress who made me hit pause and go running for IMDB; the incredibly luminous and beautiful Mildred Washington. She hits the screen like Marilyn, and steals every scene. I could find very very little about her, and what I did find was heartbreaking.

The name Mildred Washington isn’t remembered but she appeared in under fifteen films in small parts.  She started on the stage appearing in musicals for many years and later conquered California nightclubs and theaters becoming a full-fledged, substantial, popular entertainer who was called the sensation of the West. She was headliner and dance director for many years at the legendary Sebastian’s Cotton Club. Mildred was one of the few, very few, beautiful black women who played the maid roles, she wasn’t overweight, homely or dark but beautiful, engaging, and scintillating, often stealing attention in scenes from leading white stars because of her beauty, talent and sex appeal. Her persona was certainly in the same fashion as Clara Bow, Alice White, and Jean Harlow. Though Mildred had little to do on screen in a few of her movies, she still took advantage of getting herself recognized. Whether Hollywood wanted her to be a stereotype or not is not the question, she took it upon her own initiative to present herself the way she wanted and she took her roles seriously and presented them the best she thought would entertain the public. “Hearts in Dixie” was one of the first black cast films made in Hollywood where Mildred co-starred, Mildred was said to have gave an excellent performance, the reviews were in Mildred’s favor but sadly the film is believed to be lost. Her best role was in “Torch Singer” starring Claudette Colbert, in which she played a maid/confidante to Colbert.

During the tragic earthquake in the spring of 1933, Mildred developed appendicitis when she fell running for cover from Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. She died on a Thursday afternoon at the White Memorial Hospital. The death was caused by peritonitis following an operation for appendicitis. Mildred was 28 years old.

How sad. I wish I knew more about her. Time to move to LA and write a movie about her life. How many awesome ideas can I have that I don’t actually do? ONE MILLION. I need to start a company where I sit and have great ideas all day. I actually had a boss once say she wished she could pay me to do just that! But I digress.

Hot Saturday was equally adorable, with Nancy Carroll (I love her!) as a cute little pixie swept off her feet by a very young Cary Grant.

Can I wear this outfit every day?

I also ordered The Shopworn Angel, unfortunately not pre-code but with Gary Cooper and Jimmy Stewart and Nancy Carroll. I love Gary Cooper and Jimmy Stewart in unholy ways.

This will definitely be my next haircut.

So after all this eye candy, I got into bed and picked up the copy of The Magnificent Ambersons which I’d gotten at the thrift shop earlier — bad idea at 11pm. Definitely a great summer read!!! Apparently there are a few film versions, but I cannot imagine them coming even close to the book itself. It was so good that I didn’t put it down until I was finished, so I’m drinking a lot of coffee at work today. Eeeek. But! It was written in 1918 and is a stunning view into that time, equally shocking with how resonant and appropriate it’s observations still are.