Black in Period Films

  After nearly three years the Tony Awards are finally back! This 2020/2021 award season had some big wins for the period productions that I was rooting for.  As always this award show wrap up will specifically focus on the projects that have black characters (both main and side) and are set in the past. These productions include Moulin Rouge!, Tina, A Soldier's Play, and A Christmas Carol. Categories that did not include these productions are not listed below.  Best Musical Moulin Rouge! (Winner) Jagged Little Pill Tina   Best Revival of a Play A Soldier's Play (Winner) Betrayal Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune   Best Book of a Musical Diablo Cody – Jagged Little Pill (WINNER) John Logan – Moulin Rouge! Katori Hall, Frank Ketelaar, and Kees Prins – Tina   Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play Andrew Burnap – The Inheritance as Toby Darling (WINNER) Ian Barford – Linda Vista as Wheeler Jake Gyllenhaal – Sea Wall/A Life as Abe Tom Hidd...

One of the great things about Blair Underwood (besides his good looks and talent) is how engaging he is. Because of how active he is on his social media platforms, period film fans have been gifted with a behind the scenes look at the  Madam C.J. Walker mini series. Blair  Underwood is playing Charles Joseph Walker,  Madam C. J. Walker husband.  #OnSet #Netflix Havin' nothin' but fun playing CJ Walker, husband to #MadamCJWalker played by the incomparable #Amazing #AcademyAwardWinner @octaviaspencer pic.twitter.com/AfZUaXOsJb — Blair Underwood (@BlairUnderwood) August 6, 2019 We get a nice shoot of the script and Blair in his costume. His demeanor and poise is perfect for stories taken place in the past.  Becasue of how he holds himself the costume looks natural on him; as if he is from the era. It takes a village...fo real! Just another day @ the office. Lol! #CJWalker husband of #MadamCJWalker @octaviaspencer #Netflix #AmazingCast...

Mama Flora's Family is the 1998 TV mini-series based on the novel penned by the legendary Alex Haley. Mama Flora is 3 hours of wonderful stories chronicling the life of Flora Palmer and her family. It spans the entire 20th century and is simply amazing. And includes major historical moments such as the Great Depression, both World Wars, and the Civil Rights Movement. It covers a host of real life issues that would have affected a Black American family during that time. In the title role Cicely Tyson (who can do NO wrong) plays the older Flora Palmer. While Erika Alexander ( Maxine Shaw from Living Single) plays a younger Flora. Blair Underwood Queen Latifah Mario Van Peebles Hill Harper Lou Meyers Shemar Moore These are the most recognizable names. But everyone in the cast put in touching performances. Many a tear were shed. With this film you'll be  smiling uncontrollably one moment and then the next you'll be tearing up. The ups and downs of Fl...