Marilyn And Dorothy Dandridge, Friends and Neighbors Share | Options

[Stacy]

(IMG:http://www.everlasting-star.net/boards/style_emoticons/default/redsitting.gif) mm

In his book "Hometown Girl," Eric Monroe Woodward states that Marilyn met
Dorothy Dandridge during acting classes at the Actor's Lab. When Marilyn
moved to her apartment on Hilldale in early 1952, Dorothy was a neighbor
down the street. Marilyn prepared for the Ray Anthony publicity party at
Dorothy's home. Mr. Woodward states that photographer Phil Stern was also
there. Stern would also take photographs later that day at Anthony's party.

Does anyone know more about the relationship between Marilyn and Dorothy
Dandridge? I find this fascinating.

[Tara]

I couldn't find any more info but it seems to be accepted that they were friends. They had so much in common - both were beautiful, gifted, but troubled stars who died before they reached their potential. Both women came from poor backgrounds and were victims of prejudice in Hollywood - sexism in Marilyn's case, racism in Dorothy's. Dorothy was once described as 'the black Marilyn Monroe', and for once, it's a fair comparison.

Thanks for bringing up this topic Stacy - I never heard it before but will certainly look into it. I'm intrigued!

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[daynuh8]

that's so interesting. Dorothy is beautiful... has anyone seen the movie where she was played by Halle Berry? The similarities with Marilyn's and Dorothy's life are striking.

[strawberry]

I don't know much about her life, but I shall have to read up on it. She was certainly very beautiful. She seems like quite an interesting person so I shall take a look in the library for anything about her. If I find anything about Marilyn, I shall be sure to let you all know because it seems like such an interesting topic (and I can see why she was described as the black Monroe).

[brandonheidrick]

There was a woman in the movie with Halle Berry that was supposed to be Marilyn Monroe ... I couldn't believe the actress they cast in the part ... she was a real dog. ARF! ARF! Sorry to be so mean ... but it's true!!!!

[Stacy]

I bought "Dorothy Dandridge, the biography by Donald Bogle.
It seems that Marilyn and Dorothy met when they studied at the Actors Lab in late 1948. Marilyn frequented Dandridge's home on Hilldale. It was a duplex that she shared with composer and vocal coach, Phil Moore (Not Phil Stern, as found in Hometown Girl). Marilyn was a frequent visitor to Dandridge's home, and took vocal lessons in Moore's upstairs apartment.

[crash32002]

I've been a big fan of both Marilyn & Dorothy and I certainly agree that they were both amazingly beautiful. Nobody would let Marilyn reach her full potential as an actress because they felt she was a "dumb blonde" and Dorothy was never allowed to reach her potential because she was black. If you haven't had the opportunity to see CARMEN (Dandridge's best known film) I command you to see it. It's amazing. She gives me chills, much in the same way Marilyn does. Another interesting fact is that Marilyn & Dandridge both worked with Otto Primnger (sp?). Dandridge had a relationship with him for a bit.

I'm glad this topic was posted. I feel sad that Dandridge doesn't get much attention. She was so beautiful and beyond belief talented. You should also see the biography movie everyone is talking about with Halle Berry. Berry did such a wonderful job on the film.

[crash32002]

oh yes...I agree with Brandon about the girl that plays Marilyn in "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge." She was just completely and totally wrong for the part.

[meganmarilyn]

I did some research and found out that Phil Moore, Marilyn's vocal coach, was also Dorothy Dandridge's boyfriend. Dorothy also dated Peter Lawford so this site says...

http://www.nndb.com/people/815/000067614/



Dorothy Dandridge
AKA Dorothy Jean Dandridge

Born: 9-Nov-1922
Birthplace: Cleveland, OH
Died: 8-Sep-1965
Location of death: West Hollywood, CA
Cause of death: Accident - Overdose
Remains: Buried, Freedom Mausoleum, Columbarium of Victory, Forest Lawn, Glendale, CA


Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Black
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Actor

Level of fame: Somewhat
Executive summary: Carmen Jones

Father: Cyrus Dandridge
Mother: Ruby Dandridge (actress, b. 1-Mar-1899, d. 17-Oct-1987)
Sister: Vivian Dandridge (b. 22-Apr-1921, d. 1991 stroke)
Husband: Harold Nicholas (m. 6-Sep-1942, div. Oct-1951, one child)
Daughter: Harolyn (b. with brain injury)
Husband: Jack Denison (m. 22-Jun-1959, div. 20-Dec-1962)
Boyfriend: Peter Lawford (actor)
Boyfriend: Otto Preminger (film director)
Boyfriend: Phil Moore (composer, 1930's or 1940's)


High School: Thomas Jefferson High School, Los Angeles, CA (dropped out)


Hollywood Walk of Fame 6719 Hollywood Blvd.
Bankruptcy 1963
Risk Factors: Depression, Alcoholism


FILMOGRAPHY AS ACTOR
Porgy and Bess (24-Jun-1959)
The Decks Ran Red (10-Oct-1958)
Island in the Sun (12-Jun-1957)
Carmen Jones (5-Oct-1954)
Bright Road (17-Apr-1953)
Remains to be Seen (15-May-1953) Herself
Sun Valley Serenade (21-Aug-1941)

[ellen]

ok i knew nothing but im going to by dorothys biography this is sooooo intresting thanks everyone (IMG:http://www.everlasting-star.net/boards/style_emoticons/default/jumpymm.gif)

[meganmarilyn]

Does anyone know if Dorothy had any comments on the day Marilyn died, and what she was doing on that day, August 5th?

This post has been edited by meganmarilyn: May 8 2005, 09:43 AM

[Tara]

Thanks Stacy and Megan for finding out so much, especially about Phil Moore. You have made my day!

(IMG:http://www.everlasting-star.net/boards/style_emoticons/default/niagarasing.gif)

[Mandydolphin]

I had never heard of this lady until someone mentioned her on this forum.

[Tara]

It's interesting that Dorothy had a relationship with Preminger, who was rather mean to Marilyn during RONR. If only he'd realised that Marilyn was sensitive and vulnerable, like Dorothy. But maybe some of the tension was caused by Natasha.

I also noticed from Megan's research that both women went to high school in LA, but dropped out before graduation. Certainly in Marilyn's case, it wasn't really her choice. I think she regretted it, but was naturally bright and strove all her life to learn.

Thanks again and I will try to pick up that biography sometime!

[ellen]

cool name miss dandridge (IMG:http://www.everlasting-star.net/boards/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[celifacejones]

i heard also that they were friends. That chick that played in the Halle Berry (who was gorgeous as DD, also they look ALOT alike) was ugly!!! I couldn't believe it. She was so miscast.

But, calling Dorothy Dandrige the black Marilyn Monroe....
Is the best compairison i've ever heard. Both were beautiful, talented, and type cast cuz of their beauty (and race for DD)...

alot of similiarities between them, a little eerie...

something my sis mentioned, heehehee. Dorothy Dandridge and Marilyn Monroe, same letter for first and last name. hehehee..

[Joan Newman]

Does anyone know if Dorothy had any comments on the day Marilyn died, and what she was doing on that day, August 5th?

What a great topic. I rented Carmen Jones and it's just excellent. She was a great actress. Dorothy and Harry Belefonte are beautiful in it. Very sexy indeed.


I got her biography by Bogle from the library and it talks alot about Marilyn in it.

Pg. 486-487

" During the summer, Dorothy was briefly but quietly hospitalized. The cause was exhaustion.

Then on August 5th, Dorothy learned, along with the rest of the nation, that her old friend Marilyn Monroe had died: alone on a saturday night in her bedroom with a telephone near her hand. The death was attributed to an overdose of barbituates. The two women had not seen each other much since those early years at the Actors Lab and those afternoons and evenings at Dorothy's apartment on Hilldale where they sat together for private talks and commiserations. But they ran into each other at various openings and social affairs. Each was aware of the other's ups and downs, mainly through Peter Lawford.

"Dottie was still very close to Lawford. He was Marilyn's friend, too." said Geri Branton. "So they probably saw each other through that. I'm sure she had them over for dinner." Having always liked Marilyn, she was now, said Juliette Ball, "devastated" by the actress's death. "

I read that even though they first said she died of an acute ingestion of the anti-depressant, Tofranil, she might have indeed committed suicide as they said Marilyn had. In the book it says:

" A note she had left with Mills sparked more controversy about her death. In a hand-written envelope marked " To Whomever Discovers Me After Death-Important," the hand-written note inside read:

In case of my death- to whomever discovers it- Don't remove anything I have on- scarf, gown or underwear- Cremate me right away- If I have anything money, furniture, give it to my mother Ruby Dandridge- She will know what to do

-Dorothy Dandridge "



I also learned from the book that Dorothy wanted the part of Cherie in Bus Stop and begged Zanuck for it. But ofcourse, we know Marilyn got it. Very interesting stuff. I also read another biography about Dorothy by Earl Mills. In chapter ten she was quoted on some intimate things regarding her friend Marilyn, such as sex, and men, etc.. Great reading. There is a picture in the Bogle book of Dorothy's body being removed from her apartment the day of her death that makes me feel so bad. Just like looking at Marilyn in the same.

This post has been edited by Nettie: Feb 12 2006, 04:48 AM

[Charli]

Yes! I love Dorethy!
Comparing Marilyn and Dorothy is truly a compliment for both actresses!!!!


I was offended when I found out that Grace Kelly beat Dorethy for the Oscar in 1954!!! (IMG:http://www.everlasting-star.net/boards/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes1.gif)
As some of you may know, Dorothy could actually act! (IMG:http://www.everlasting-star.net/boards/style_emoticons/default/thumbup1.gif)

I have always believed that either Dorothy or Judy Garland deserved that Oscar, not Grace.

[melslovepotion]

I am so glad if they were friends. I am just now getting into Dorothy and she's great. It just makes me sad when I go to the Dorothy boards and they hate when people compare Dorothy with Marilyn. Saying Dorothy was a good actress when Marilyn wasn't. If this is indeed true, that they were friends, its kind of a big screw you to all the Dorothy Lovers/Marilyn Haters out there.

This post has been edited by melslovepotion: Dec 6 2007, 08:25 AM

[Tara]

I don't know why people have to choose between Marilyn and Dorothy. I like them both very much...