Lena Horne: Goddess Reclaimed

Lena Horne was the first Black performer to become a true star, receiving the glamour treatment at MGM. However, her roles in films were often as a musical performer, allowing her numbers to be easily stripped out. Lena Horne: Goddess Reclaimed provides a comprehensive and lavish biography of the star, shedding new light on her life and career, including her activism, accomplishments, and disappointments. Illustrated by hundreds of photos, it is the ultimate book on the icon.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 02 November 2023
Publisher: Running Press,U.S.

From the acclaimed author of Hollywood Black and a foremost authority on Black cinema history, comes a groundbreaking and lavish biography of Hollywood's first African American movie goddess. Lena Horne's life and career are truly remarkable in the annals of American film history. She achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first Black performer to attain true stardom, receiving the same level of glamour treatment at the legendary MGM that the studio had previously bestowed upon iconic figures such as Greta Garbo, Jean Harlow, Lana Turner, and Ava Gardner. Simultaneously, Horne faced numerous indignities, one of which was the frequent portrayal of her roles in films as musical performers, which allowed her numbers to be easily removed from films without affecting the narrative when played to audiences who would find her presence undesirable.

At last, Lena Horne: Goddess Reclaimed provides the star with the recognition she truly deserves. Through a meticulously researched and insightful narrative, the book delves into the captivating life and intricate career of the legendary star. Interviews, press accounts, studio archives, and decades of diligent research form the foundation of this narrative, shedding new light on Horne's remarkable journey. The book explores her activism, her numerous accomplishments and triumphant milestones in movies, television, and nightclubs, as she shattered long-standing barriers for Black individuals, particularly Black women. It also delves into her solemn and sometimes bitter disappointments, both professional and personal.

Illustrated by a plethora of photographs, many of which are published for the first time, this book serves as the ultimate tribute to the icon. Lena Horne: Goddess Reclaimed is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of Hollywood and the remarkable achievements of its African American stars.

Weight: 1366g
Dimension: 214 x 262 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780762475209