![Image](http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt8/MovieJoe/silver/bronze/taylor-brooks-laugh_opt.jpg)
Elizabeth Taylor has fun with the director of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", Richard Brooks
I'm presently reading Jill Watt's biography of Hattie McDaniel, and just read a section on Stepin Fetchit (nee Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry!). He was born in Key West, Florida, played vaudeville through the 1920's and was the first African American to receive an exclusive, long term contract with a studio (Fox). Often villified for playing outrageously stereotypical parts, he claimed he made them outrageous to conciously make caricatures of parts; that is, to satirize the stereotypes that white Hollywood was forcing on him. At any rate, he was a financial -- if not artistic -- success. He owned a lavish home with servants, and an extravagant automobile with his name emblazoned in neon across its side. Although able to read, he convinced directors that he was illiterate, which allowed him to change lines as the camera ran. 'Tis a fascinating read!mongoII wrote:HAPPY BIRTHDAY
STEPIN FETCHIT (1902 - 1985)