LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Dorothy Dandridge
built 646 days ago
Director Martha Coolidge ... found Dandridge's story compelling. "As I researched, I came to realize what an extraordinarily gifted performer she was," says Coolidge. "I knew she was good, but when you look at her work and realize what a beautiful woman she was; how absolutely gifted she was; how special her sensitivity was, it was inevitable that she would be a star."
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"Bright Road ", his first film... witth Dorothy Dandridge, NOT released on VHS ( except pirated ones), a very inspiring film, especially for teachers, will follow, at 10: 00 pm. Harry, the proncipal, plays the guitar and sings " Susanna"
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On September 8, 1965, Dandridge was found dead by her manager, Earl Mills, in her West Hollywood apartment from an overdose of Imipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant. She was 42 years old. Dandridge's death was later ruled accidental.
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In 1954 Dandridge achieved the peak of her film career with a starring role in Carmen Jones, an all-black musical based on French composer Georges Bizet's opera Carmen. The film's director, Otto Preminger, needed a sultry, volatile woman for the title role; Dandridge was a possible choice, but Preminger thought her too inhibited and naturally elegant for the part. Dandridge returned for a second audition dressed as a whore--with an attitude to match. She landed both the part and the director.
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The Verve Music Group has issued a record of Dorothy Dandridge's singing, a CD titled, "Smooth Operator" (not to be confused with the Sade record!). Dorothy sings such standards as "Body and Soul," "When Your Lover Has Gone," "How Long Has This Been Going On?" and "I've Got A Crush On You," some with an orchestra, and others with a jazz combo which includes the legendary jazz pianist, Oscar Peterson. Listen to the RealAudio clips at the Amazon.com web page.
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In 1965, Dandridge was found dead in her home of an overdose of barbiturates. Modern analysts believe that she may have suffered from manic depression. She is interred in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, in Glendale, California.
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Dorothy Dandridge