Greetings,
1940's Hollywood, especially after the outbreak of the Second World War, made an effort to portray African-Americans in a less stereotyped manner. Most famously was the genuine, unforced friendship displayed between Humphrey Bogart and Dooley Wilson as Rich and Sam, respectively, in Casablanca.
So, I am wondering how minorities fared in our Universal Horrors. To what degree were traditional movie stereotypes eschewed in favor of realistic characterizations?
In 1941's Horror Island, we see Leo Carrillo as "The Skipper," Tobias Clump. "Clump" may have been an in-joke referring to "The Skipper's" wooden leg. Carrillo, who was actually a university-educated scion of a Spanish family whose California roots extended to colonial times, was far-removed from the lives of the characters he played. Nevertheless, "The Skipper" spoke and behaved rustically.
Sherlock Holmes in Washington (1943) featured Clarence Muse as "George," who was employed as server in a railroad club car. In a scene in which Holmes asks George to recall the proceedings that took place in the railroad car, the server aquits himself to such a degree that Holmes tips George $10.00, fifteen hours' wages in 1943.. Muse takes advantage of this part, and mentions proudly of his own son's military service as an "Army flyer." This clearly indicated that "George's" son was a Tuskeegee Airman. Scholarship on this scenario laments Muse's character's menial position, but the actor raises the role to a level of dignity and respect, especially in light of the era's prevailing attitudes.
Later in 1943, Son of Dracula cast a number of African-Americans in various roles. In the opening sequence, we see a well-dressed black man in the waiting room of a railroad station. Interestingly, the facility is not segregated. Given the setting of this film's action, Universal might have risked offending Southern viewers sensibilities by such a glimpse of future public areas. At the reception party Katherine Caldwell threw for Count Alucard, we meet her wheel-chair bound father, a Colonel, who is carefully attended by several black domestic employees. Colonel Caldwell treats his workers respectfully, but the scene sure looks like an Ante-Bellum plantation. "Morbid" is the word most associated with Katherine Caldwell. She installed a voodoo priestess for advice. "Queen Zimba," played by Adeline de Walt Reynolds, dies when Alucard shows up. Katherine is nearly implicated in the death, but, the incident passes without further comment. When Alucard's ponderous, prodigious load of luggage is delivered, one of the employees, "Matthew" (Charles R. Moore) indicates that the cases and boxes are very heavy. He is advised to "Get some of the other boys to help..." Matthew responds, as if asking for assistance was beyond his problem-solving skills level, "Yes, Ma'am. Thank you Ma'am!" "Steven," a butler played by Jess Lee Brooks, reacts to Alucard's arrival with an unintentionally comic "big eyes" double take, ala Mantan Moreland. Later, we meet Dr. Brewster's housekeeper. Portrayed by Oscar-winner Hattie Mc Daniel's sister, Etta, "Sarah" is portrayed as a capable, hospitable, trusted, and wise member of the family
Last on my list is 1944's The Mummy's Curse, which is crowded with interesting characters. Not a "Cajun" in the bunch of Creole barflies, we do get to hear a load of Bayou dialect. Well, supposedly."Tante Berthe", played by Ann Codee was a Belgian. Kurt Katch, as "Cajun Joe" was Russian and Jewish. "Ulysses" was played by Tony Santoro, and most ironic of all seems to have been Charles Stevens's portrayal of "Achilles." Most blatant among the characterizations was delivered by Napoleon Simpson as "Goobie." Whether he is evoking local superstitions, "Find a lizard on de grave, 'taint no charm yo' life would save...", jumping to conclusions, "De debbil's on the loose! Mebbee soon we all be killed!", or alerting his employer, "Massa Walsh! Get up! De Mummy's on the loose an' he's dancin' wit' the debbil!", Goobie cannot be missed. According to a slang dictionary, a "goobie" is a dear friend who is prone to embarrassing himself in public. Screenplaywright Bernard Schubert called that one well!
As usual, I am positive I have missed some entries along the way.
Please give me your thoughts.
Best regards,
Andy in Vancouver.
1940's Hollywood, especially after the outbreak of the Second World War, made an effort to portray African-Americans in a less stereotyped manner. Most famously was the genuine, unforced friendship displayed between Humphrey Bogart and Dooley Wilson as Rich and Sam, respectively, in Casablanca.
So, I am wondering how minorities fared in our Universal Horrors. To what degree were traditional movie stereotypes eschewed in favor of realistic characterizations?
In 1941's Horror Island, we see Leo Carrillo as "The Skipper," Tobias Clump. "Clump" may have been an in-joke referring to "The Skipper's" wooden leg. Carrillo, who was actually a university-educated scion of a Spanish family whose California roots extended to colonial times, was far-removed from the lives of the characters he played. Nevertheless, "The Skipper" spoke and behaved rustically.
Sherlock Holmes in Washington (1943) featured Clarence Muse as "George," who was employed as server in a railroad club car. In a scene in which Holmes asks George to recall the proceedings that took place in the railroad car, the server aquits himself to such a degree that Holmes tips George $10.00, fifteen hours' wages in 1943.. Muse takes advantage of this part, and mentions proudly of his own son's military service as an "Army flyer." This clearly indicated that "George's" son was a Tuskeegee Airman. Scholarship on this scenario laments Muse's character's menial position, but the actor raises the role to a level of dignity and respect, especially in light of the era's prevailing attitudes.
Later in 1943, Son of Dracula cast a number of African-Americans in various roles. In the opening sequence, we see a well-dressed black man in the waiting room of a railroad station. Interestingly, the facility is not segregated. Given the setting of this film's action, Universal might have risked offending Southern viewers sensibilities by such a glimpse of future public areas. At the reception party Katherine Caldwell threw for Count Alucard, we meet her wheel-chair bound father, a Colonel, who is carefully attended by several black domestic employees. Colonel Caldwell treats his workers respectfully, but the scene sure looks like an Ante-Bellum plantation. "Morbid" is the word most associated with Katherine Caldwell. She installed a voodoo priestess for advice. "Queen Zimba," played by Adeline de Walt Reynolds, dies when Alucard shows up. Katherine is nearly implicated in the death, but, the incident passes without further comment. When Alucard's ponderous, prodigious load of luggage is delivered, one of the employees, "Matthew" (Charles R. Moore) indicates that the cases and boxes are very heavy. He is advised to "Get some of the other boys to help..." Matthew responds, as if asking for assistance was beyond his problem-solving skills level, "Yes, Ma'am. Thank you Ma'am!" "Steven," a butler played by Jess Lee Brooks, reacts to Alucard's arrival with an unintentionally comic "big eyes" double take, ala Mantan Moreland. Later, we meet Dr. Brewster's housekeeper. Portrayed by Oscar-winner Hattie Mc Daniel's sister, Etta, "Sarah" is portrayed as a capable, hospitable, trusted, and wise member of the family
Last on my list is 1944's The Mummy's Curse, which is crowded with interesting characters. Not a "Cajun" in the bunch of Creole barflies, we do get to hear a load of Bayou dialect. Well, supposedly."Tante Berthe", played by Ann Codee was a Belgian. Kurt Katch, as "Cajun Joe" was Russian and Jewish. "Ulysses" was played by Tony Santoro, and most ironic of all seems to have been Charles Stevens's portrayal of "Achilles." Most blatant among the characterizations was delivered by Napoleon Simpson as "Goobie." Whether he is evoking local superstitions, "Find a lizard on de grave, 'taint no charm yo' life would save...", jumping to conclusions, "De debbil's on the loose! Mebbee soon we all be killed!", or alerting his employer, "Massa Walsh! Get up! De Mummy's on the loose an' he's dancin' wit' the debbil!", Goobie cannot be missed. According to a slang dictionary, a "goobie" is a dear friend who is prone to embarrassing himself in public. Screenplaywright Bernard Schubert called that one well!
As usual, I am positive I have missed some entries along the way.
Please give me your thoughts.
Best regards,
Andy in Vancouver.
