Two dollars and a dream

Description

This is a biography of Madame C.J. Walker, the child of slaves freed by the Civil War, who became America's first self-made millionairess. By interweaving social, economic and political history, it also offers a view of black America from 1867 to the 1930 s. Mrs. Walker' fortune was built on skin and hair care products. She parlayed a homemade beauty formula into a prosperous business, marketing her products from coast to coast. Her daughter, A Leilia Walker, was an important patron of the Harlem Renaissance. The two women lived in royal style, complete with a mansion and chauffeured limousines. This little known story is both entertaining and informative. It combines interviews, historical stills and unique film footage including scenes from Harlem s famous Cotton Club. The film is punctuated with the music of Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway and other masters of that era.

Runtime

52 min

Creator

Nelson, Stanley, 1955

Series

Contributor

Genre

Date of Publication

1989

Database

Alexander Street

Direct Link