Comments on: Write me this book!

By: sara

sara — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 19:13:18 +0000

Hi Kim,

I would love to read your thesis. If you would contact me maybe we can discuss.

Thanks!

By: Kim

Kim — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 02:54:58 +0000

I completed my master’s thesis on Fredi Washington. I would say that my work is the most thouroughly researched biogaphical type that exist. Doing a biography on Fredi Washington would be a difficult task for anyone. There is just simply not enough information to complete a full biography. She could be incorporated into a work that focuses on the popular/cultural front, black female entertainers and a number of other broad topics. The biography would likely be riddled with obvious gaps.

By: Ray Davis

Ray Davis — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 13:05:39 +0000

Fredi Washington was completely electrifying in her movie debut, dancing herself to death for Duke Ellington in the mini-jazz-melodrama “Black and Tan Fantasy”. It’s on a great compilation DVD called “Hollywood Rhythm”. I’m surprised that there’s no biography. Maybe her life wasn’t tragic enough — Dorothy Dandridge got one.

I’d be pretty damn surprised if anyone in Hollywood would’ve let her play white roles, at least once the production code got its teeth and claws. The Breen office took it upon themselves to try to keep the Jim Crow South as happy as possible.

By: Justine

Justine — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 13:41:51 +0000

No, no, no, no, no! A book like this would require years of research—years and years. There’s so much to cover. I’ve already given several years of my life to one researched tome. I became a novelist to avoid hard work.

My life is now devoted to lying around and reading magazines and occasionally making stuff up. A book like this would put a serious dent in my lifestyle.

Someone else has to write it.

By: Lewis

Lewis — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 02:55:27 +0000

Have you thought of doing the research and writing the biography
yourself? You have the skills and scholarly background to do this.

By: Justine

Justine — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 13:54:19 +0000

Heya, Pauline. Thanks. When I googled I saw that some of her papers are in the New York Public Library. It’s grand to know there’s even more in Washington.

I can only access Sydney Uni’s online stuff when I’m in Sydney, alas.

So, see, potential biographer—there’s lots of excellent primary resources for you! What’s holding you back?

By: Pauline Dickinson

Pauline Dickinson — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 04:43:51 +0000

Did you know the papers (1925-79)of Fredi Washington are held in the Library of Congress’s Manuscript Collection? There’s also a downloadable article (from Amazon) called ‘”New Negro” performance in art and life: Fredi Washington and the theatrical columns of The People’s Voice, 1943-47′ by Cheryl Black (from Theatre History Studies 24, June 2004: p57+). Or maybe you can still get access to the online version through Sydney Uni’s catalogue? I think I’ll keep looking.