Excerpt from a Nina Mae McKinney fansite
“Nina Mae was indeed “The First Black Movie Star,” the first black actress in starring roles who appeared in over 30 films (more than Horne or Dandridge), some films are considered lost, some are not as available to the public. Her achievements in films was not only being the first Black movie star and actress in Hollywood, but also the first Black actress in starring roles in British films, television, and documentaries. Nina was also the first Black woman performer to become famous in her own country–the U.S., then went on to become a success in Europe, and became one of the most famous Black internationally-known entertainers. Nina Mae didn’t have to leave the U.S. to find glory like many of her contemporaries because when Nina Mae was in the U.S. she was a star, and during her tenure in Europe, she became a superstar.” (more…)
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The only movie I have seen her act is the movie “Hallelujah!” where she played a floozy-type that woos the affections of a country preacher who is about a sneeze away from needing salvation for his own soul. According to my mom, I believe she was about 15 years old when she did this film.
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