Admittedly, it's probably unfair to call Dorothy Dandridge unknown, as I've just done in the title. She was, after all nominated for an Academy Award and had a fairly long resume of parts, even if the majority of them were small ones. Many probably know her. I, however, aside from this movie, have no knowledge of her whatsoever. I've never seen any of her movies and was not familiar with the name until I came across this bio-pic. The title of this movie would seem to suggest that I'm not alone - she has to be introduced to us, after all. And - what an introduction!

Halle Berry was absolutely perfect in this role. To me, she became the character with all the right moves and all the right emotions and presented a fascinating portrait of her subject. I find it hard to believe that so much was introduced in a little under two hours. Dandridge's problematic relationships (especially her relationship with the great director Otto Preminger) were interesting; her troubled upbringing being abused by whoever "Auntie" was supposed to be to the family was sad; her devotion to her mentally retarded daughter; the subtle look at the reality of racism in the era (she dips her toes in a hotel swimming pool, and the pool has to be drained and scrubbed as a result); her growing drug and alcohol dependence; her ultimate tragic death. In some respects she's portrayed as a black Marilyn Monroe, who does pop up from time to time in this movie. You would think that trying to show so much in so little time would lead to a shallow presentation, but it didn't. The movie leaves you wanting more, but not because it hasn't given you a lot.

The secondary characters were also interesting: from Dandridge's first husband (Obba Babatunde) - who is captivated by her beauty but can't agree with her on what they want out of life, to her manager Earl Mills (Brent Spiner) - who quietly falls in love with her, to Preminger (Klaus Maria Brandauer) - who also seems to love her, but who finally turns away from her, possibly because she wanted more of a commitment than he wanted to give or perhaps because he felt that creating personal distance between them would help him to further her career.

I'm shocked that this movie doesn't have a higher rating here. I think this was absolutely marvellous. 10/10

In the 1990s, HBO made some wonderful films about famous and not so famous Black Americans and I own copies of several of these films. THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN and MISS EVERS' BOYS are probably the best, but they also made THE JOSEPHINE BAKER STORY and INTRODUCING DOROTHY DANDRIDGE--quite an impressive record for a relatively small production company.

Of the four films listed, INTRODUCING DOROTHY DANDRIDGE was my least favorite. While still a good film and one to watch, it seemed to suffer in two respects. First, despite being a biography, I never really felt connected to the main character and the film seemed rather episodic. I think the film would have been better had it not try to cram her entire life into one film--perhaps a mini-series or adding an hour to the film would have helped. Second, the film began with such an intense and unnecessarily brutal scene in which Dorothy was digitally raped--something that could have been alluded to or done a bit less explicitly. This made the film rated R and that is a real shame, as kids should see all four of these films--they are all important historical lessons for the 20th century. However, with that scene, there is no way that I would let my kids see the film--it was just too much for kids (let alone adults) to see. You can know it's happening without having to see it happen.

Also, as for this assaultive character, Dorothy's "aunt". If you ARE going to include this in the film, at least then hash out exactly who this woman was as well as her relationship with Dot's mother. It seemed like they were perhaps trying to imply these two older women were lesbians, but they never really followed up on this--it was just a dangling plot point that they seemed to have forgotten. Also, other than this horrible scene, what was this woman's relationship with the kids? This character just left a whole lot of unanswered questions.

To be fair, I must admit that THE JOSEPHINE BAKER STORY features some nudity, but it was all part of Miss Baker's real-life act--you couldn't exactly discuss her life without featuring her most famous routine. It was not sexual in nature, but artistic and I'd have a much easier time letting kids see this film because it lacks the violence of the digital rape scene of INTRODUCING DOROTHY DANDRIDGE.

Other than these complaints, the actors seemed to try very hard to make this film and it was rather interesting. As for Brent Spiner, he looked and talked a lot like his "Data" character--I couldn't get past this and it just shows how being so strongly associated with one role makes it tough for others to accept you in a different one. For my time I say see the other films first--then this one without the kids.

Just like Rita Hayworth said about her seductress, Gilda, Dorothy Dandridge was a gentle flower who played poison ivy on screen but was as far from the man-eating factory worker off screen. Halle Berry had one of the great challenges in her career as the beautiful Dorothy Dandridge, the singer and dancer who became a screen sensation with just one role, the first black actress to be nominated for a Best Actress Oscar, and like so many actors who shot to stardom overnight, found a descent that lead into tragedy.

With a magnetic smile and a charm that knocked the socks off of men of every race, Dorothy Dandridge had a miserable upbringing, mistreated by female "friends" of her mother Ruby (the wonderful Loretta Devine). Obviously jealous of her beauty, they went to extremes to test her virginity, leaving the sensitive girl scarred for life. Relationships with Harold Nicholas (of the famed "Nicolas Brothers") and director Otto Preminger showed her desperate for love, and with the autocratic Preminger, almost found it, even though he refused to leave his wife for her. She also found changes in him towards her after their first film onto their next five years later (the rarely seen film version of "Porgy and Bess").

Like Tammy Blanchard and Judy Davis as Judy Garland, and Lynn Whitfield (Berry's mother in "A Wedding") as Josephine Baker, Berry is not an actress playing a part. She is the character, and deserved every praise and award which came her way. Klaus Marie Brandauer also stands out as Preminger, gentle with her during the making of "Carmen Jones" and her guiding light at the start of her career, but suddenly cold when they are later reunited. Re-creations of Dandridge's signature roles are right on the button, with great detail towards the period as well as her sudden rise then decline. Historically important as a view as how blacks were treated during this time (a pool in a glamorous hotel is emptied and cleaned after she has the audacity to dive in),it strives for truth yet is never preachy or judgmental.