Francine Everett, who was called the most beautiful woman in Harlem and one of
the most beautiful actresses to appear on screen. She became a familiar
face with black audiences through the race films, now known as Black
Cinema. She was one of the few who became a movie star through Black
Cinema and could call themselves a true actress. Blacks could relate to
the beauty because despite her roles, she maintained a down to
earthness about her, warmth and was attainable more so than Lena Horne and
Dorothy Dandridge who in Hollywood movies developed aloofness and had to please
white audiences more so than Blacks and had to let go of some of the
black image. The films in Black Cinema may have been low-budgeted but
Francine's performances surely weren't, she gave her all in films, as
though they were Hollywood movies. Francine didn't have a lot of
directions in her movies but being the true actress she was, she didn't
need much direction to give a stellar performance.
When she wasn't acting, she was in soundies, singing or dancing, it's
said she appeared in over a 100. She modeled clothes and hairstyles for
print ads, magazines and newspapers. Also she sang in nightclubs, her
lovely singing voice possess soul, allure, and charm which she also
showcased in many movies. She was also quite a dancer, dancing in a
dance group called The Four Black Cats that traveled the U.S. Her stage
appearances included, Humming Sam and Swing It which were both very
popular shows on Broadway.
Francine started in show business at a young age. She studied and acted
with the Federal Theater in Harlem, which was sponsored by the Works
Progress Administration. She married legendary actor 'Rex Ingram' i
who gained fame in his starring role on screen in "Green
Pastures." It's been said Francine was offered the role of one of the
angels but turned it down mainly because it was stereotyped.
Francine appeared in the most important films of Black Cinema, the ones
that could be called a true movie. She appeared in Paradise in Harlem (1939), 'Keep Punching (1939),
Big Timers (1945),"Stars on Parade," '_Tall, Tan, and Terrific' (1946)_, '_Dirty Gertie from Harlem U.S.A.' (1946)_, '_Ebony Parade' (1947)_ (which also
starred Dorothy Dandridge) and its been said she appeared in 2 Hollywood movies,
"Lost Boundaries" and 'Der Haß ist blind (1950).
In "Paradise In Harlem," Francine shone brighter than any in the cast
when she gave a compelling performance doing Shakespeare by portraying
Desdemona. Francine was fantastic as the woman who pleads/sings for her
life to be spared.
She only appeared in a few films but substantial films where she showed
versatility and talent and proves why she's one of the best black
actresses in history. She's done more in her few films than most have
done in many films.
Hollywood surely wanted Francine, but first Hollywood felt Francine
should pay her dues by playing maid roles first, which she refused. She
didn't want to play stereotypes when she could play roles suited for an
actress in Black Cinema.
