Josie was adorable, funny, and oh so talented. The way America treated her was terrible, and I'm glad she went where she could be loved and appreciated. Rest easy, Ms. Baker. You are still loved and appreciated.
Au moment de cet enregistrement Josephine Baker vivait un drame. Elle voyait son domaine des Milandes, au bord de la Dordogne où elle vivait avec ses enfants adoptés, saisit car elle n’avait plus d’argent malgré ses galas pour financer sa petite famille. Elle fut jetée à la porte quelques mois plus tard après avoir dû dormir dehors sur le pas de sa porte. Ses biens furent vendus pour 10% de l’estimation.
I don't get the fascination with this woman. She was aesthetically beautiful but stiff and unapproachable. I dont think she was that great an actress either. It is nice to find unseen film footage like this where you can see a more natural demeanor.
Que bien canta y baila la muy ca....😮....que estilo tan particular bailando la bosanova que en esa época se puso tan de moda....me hubiese gustado verla en directo...que Dios te bendiga Josephine❤
I saw a bit of this on TCM some time ago and just assumed the test was done in 1945-46; Since her stumbling block was she couldn't get distribution for her films, in Europe, due to the war. Does anyone know why they did not screen test her earlier? Perhaps 4 MONTHS after the war ended instead of almost 4 YEARS?
@cittaromap4163 3 years ago (edited) I have had the immense privilege and the honor to have worked with Miss Baker in 1975 @ Bobino. I was the youngest dancer in the cast . The show was called “ Josephine “ It was based on her life story celebrating her 50 years in show business from her humble beginning in St Louis to her triumphant comeback in Monte Carlo ....She used to call me “ her little page “ (Son petit page )cause of my age ! I just turned 18 th on April 1st 1975. luckily for me I have tons of memorable pics from the show as well as unforgettable stories of this short but amazing Run . ! She was extremely engaged with all of the dancers like a second mother . Wanting to know everyone ‘s names Josephine really truly care about people She was a true legend immensely talented beautiful ,elegant ,generous , humble & kind . She would bring oranges for the entire company saying “ My children you need lots Vit C for strength and energy “ She was so right cause the rehearsals were long and grueling ,,,. Bobino ‘s stage was too small to accommodate a cast of 8 boys 12 girls 3 comedians 1 little girl who played young josephine and 1 gorgeous dancer who perform the famous banana dance ! so they had to transformed the stage by expanding it including putting additional seats in the theater and building brand new dressing rooms to accommodate such a big cast all while we were practicing in the lobby of The theater. ! It was bit chaotic to say the list & quite cold being mid -February But no one seemed to care cause it was so exciting to be part of this legendary show ! Even though None of the big Paris music ‘halls like Le Casino de Paris ,Le Moulin Rouge or les Folies Bergere wanted to take the risk producing Miss baker mostly for insurance purposes There were already rumors circulating of her failing health but a small theater on Paris left bank called Bobino took a chance ...Josephine liked to rehearsed late at night after we were done .She even enjoyed having her favorite dish Spaghetti bolognese around 1 am at a restaurant right across the theater. I will never forget the 1 st time I saw her performing once the stage was finally ready. That night She was in the audience watching us dancing with huge smile on her face applauding many times throughout being so proud of the cast. After all she was watching part of her whole life story in front of her eyes. ... In fact during the promotion of the show a French journalist asked her. “ How does it feel to see your life story being played and starring in your own life musical ? She replied “ it’s wonderful At least i will see what they think of me when I am still alive !!!! I When we were done the director Andre levasseur said “ josephine c ‘ est a vous “ she jumped on stage and belt a song from the Brazilian number called” Que c‘est bon de vivre” She seemed to be completely possessed by the rhythm of the Afro Cuban sound very reminiscing of “Princess Tam-Tam “ all those years earlier Her moves were so unbelievable. Her body was in perfect shape specially in her Chanel suit !!!! There is No way you would have guessed that this beautiful lady was in her late 60 ‘s. A goddess still !!!! What thrill for me. A true MASTER CLASS ,,,,,,, I ve enjoyed this documentary immensely specially hearing Andre Levasseur speaking so kindly about her but I wanted to make few points . We rehearsed the show for about 1 month and half . We actually did more than 4 performances. We started with one week of previews on March 25 th with a special Press night on march 31 st to glorious reviews ! We had another full week of performances with a big opening gala on April 8 th with stars like Grace Kelly’s Sophia Loren & Alain Delon however Jackie O Diana Ross Mick jagger Liza Minelli never attended any of performances . We had another performance on the 9 th . She felt into a coma the 10 th and past in the early hours on the 12 th. Miss Baker had full military honor at la Madeleine church She reposes in cemetery of Monaco. Josephine paved the way for Diana Ross Madonna Beyoncé and many other artists. A true legend. Unparalleled. ❤❤❤.
Beriosova was a glorious ballerina who deserved to be a bigger star. She would have been a perfect partner for Rudi although maybe a bit too tall for him.
