NINA MAE MCKINNEY (1917-1967) was one of the first African-American film stars and one of the first African-Americans to appear on British television. She appeared in over 30 films, more than Lena Horne or Dorothy Dandridge; however, she remains relatively unknown.
Born Nannie Mayme McKinney in Lancaster, South Carolina, McKinney was raised by her grandmother near the estate of Col. LeRoy Sanders, where her family had worked for several generations. When she was 12, her parents who were living in New York, sent for her. At 16, McKinney performed in the chorus line of the Lew Leslies Blackbirds. It was there that director King Vidor cast her in the lead role of Hallelujah!, one of the first all-black films by a major studio.
McKinney originated the stereotype of the “Black Temptress” in the role for Hallelujah! At the time, she was only 17 years old, and the young beauty was given a five-year contract with Metro-Golden-Myers (MGM). During this time, she fell into deep exploitation and oppression common to black women in Hollywood. Unfortunately, McKinney was a leading lady in an industry that had no leading roles for a black woman.
Known for her big, bright eyes and charismatic, full of life personality, McKinney became the first black movie star, sex symbol and recognized beautiful black actress by not only the black community, but also by Hollywood.
The studio, however, seemed reluctant to star her in feature films. In fact, her most notable roles during this period were in films for other studios, including a leading role in Sanders of the River in 1935, where she appears with Paul Robeson.
After MGM cut almost all her scenes in Reckless (1935), she left Hollywood for Europe where she acted and danced, appearing mostly in theatrical shows and cabaret. Billed as the “Black Garbo” (after popular actress Greta Garbo), McKinney was well received by audiences abroad.
She returned to the United States at the start of World War II where she married Jimmy Monroe, a jazz musician. She appeared in many indie films in America including Pie Pie Blackbird with Eubie Blake. After the war, she moved to Athens, Greece, and lived there until she returned to New York in 1960.
On May 3, 1967, McKinney died of a heart attack and the news of her death went unnoticed in the industry and the media at large, except for a small notice in a local paper. In 1978, she was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame. However, her films are difficult to find.
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Concrete Loop features ‘CL History Spotlights’ each week honoring individuals who have played pivotal roles in history. submissions are welcome.
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Gonna have to look into her!
i don’t know who she is but she was pretty!
CL…you guys are always on top of your game by keeping us up to date with prominent historical black members of our society! Interesting piece!
Wow, that is very interesting.
I really have never heard of her.
She is very pretty.
Im glad she went by Nina instead of Nannie…
Thanks for posting this CL
Wow black is so beautiful and what a talented and VERY STYLISH lady might I add. I could see those pieces being worn now…I will definitely look for her films!
Thanks CL! I really enjoyed this spotlight. Nina was talented, pretty, and a trailblazer. I’ve never even heard of her.
Great Piece ,I really enjoy these
I have heard of her and she was a great beauty! They darkened her to make her look more “Black”. Thanks for showcasing her!
Wow.. I had never hear of her either. She was pretty. It is sad that she went recognized for her work during her time here. Thank you CL for the information.
This was my great-grandmother’s Aunt! I’m from Lancaster, SC….it’s funny seeing this spotlighted because she does go unrecognized, but not in Lancaster!
She was so pretty but if she was married to Jimmy Monroe, why does it say that he was married to Billie Holiday around the time that he was suppose to be married to her? Interesting, huh?
It’s so amazing how people are young and then get old and die at unexpected ages. It’s scary to think about how years from now, another generation will be doing what we’re doing…Creepy! I dont want to die!!! lol (Sorry, started zoning out! lol) Its crazy!
Never heard of her….love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How fascinating. She was very pretty. Those pictures show that nothing the the world is new–especially in fashion. Just wait long enough, and the look will come ’round again. A lot of girls today rock similar styles. And look at that haircut in the second pic! ‘Nuff said!!
a very pretty woman! Her outfit reminds me of an outfit that I own…just goes to show that good fashion is timeless and not trendy. Don’t know what the dice are about…maybe some accessory risk she took, but looks like something i would do as well. The woman was ahead of her time.
We should do more research because, usually, when black stars go unnoticed, there was some kind of controversy that arose.
@13…Rihanna rocks that hairstyle all the time. It’s called a birds nest updo, or something. Like I said, this lady was stuntin back then–ahead of her time
dont know her but she is beautiful
This is cool. Thanks CL.
Very pretty….i must learn more about her
We love this section… thnx
This is exactly why I love this blog, and why I feel it’s one of the best blogs in general but also one of the best dedicated to African Americans. CL could you please do a spotlight on Fredi Washington , Vivian Barber , Francine Everett , Hilda Simms, Dorothy Van Engle ,Florence Mills, Theresa Harris ,Suzzet Harbin, Evelyn Preer, or Ethel Moses, Not all of them of course but some of them. They seem to be written of the hirstory books aswell.
oh yeah and Elise Roxborough would be another good one too, IMO.
Ciara looks a little bit like her.
@ Justin, yeah Ciara does resemble her. Another one is Christina Milian. But there was an actress back in the 90′s who was a dead ringer fo Ms. Mckinney, Tammy Townsend, she was in The Pest , Divas and I remember her from a few Family Matters episodes.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING ABOUT HER, I AM CURRENTLY WRITING A PLAY THAT INCLUDES HER- I APPRECIATE HER BEING RECOGNIZED.
@ #11 I did a little research and Nina divorced Jimmy Monroe in early 1941 and then he married Billie Holiday later.
That first pic is gorgeous!
Carolinahoney please email me @melaninmama@blackplanet.com, Nina Mae was my mother’s cousin. Did you know Jimmie Mae McKinney?
WOW! she’s gorgeous, ’bout to GOOGLE her for more info.
- side note @ #21 she does a bit- I tend to think sometimes people come back as other people who were her before them.
My Goodness…she is so beautiful!
And This is why I love Concrete Loop!!!
I thought this picture was new! Wow it really looks like some black and white pic someone took yesturday! The fashion is shocking too!! Her entire style is wats in right now its hard 2 believe! She is very pretty looks like a trini woman! Lol
Interesting piece, I never heard of her. It seems as if Hollywood was very intimidated by her talent.
Its great that CL did a post on here because Lena Horne and Dorothy Dandridge are always spoken about but I never knew about Nina Mae.
*hops into time machine with roses and an engagement ring*
She’s beautiful. I find for some reason that alot of the female singers and actresses from back in the day are much more beautiful and prettier than those of today. Just my opinion.
She is sooo beautiful, I mean stop you in your track Beauty. When i was scrolling down my gosh, she is So drop-dead pretty!
Black people like Nina Mae,were able to beat the long odds of racism and discrimination against them back in those days and survive,and in the process they helped to create a better life and greater opportunities for black entertainers today.
Great post!
Her Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/ninamaemckinney
They should get Thandie Newton for her Biopic movie.
I love learning about our greatness! Thank you!
A more indepth story
http://illkeepyouposted.t...black-deco-film-diva.html
Gorgeous!
Wow she is gorgeous!
Thank you for posting the article!
Thanks.
She is a natural beauty. Unfortunately, our balck celebrities are doing so much surgery today, bleach their skin, wearing those long wigs. Oh Well.
she is absolutely gorgeous. a wonderfully sad and tragically beautiful story… i am glad we got a moment to remember her…she was clearly a real star.
I agree with #2
Wow she was so beautiful….thanks for posting this CL. It so interesting to read about thosewho came before us and paved the way for African Americans. I had never heard of her before but but im defenitely going to do some research on her and see if i can find any of her films!
Wow, I remember watching one of the films she was in and for the life of me I can’t think of the name of it. Anyway, she was beautiful and sassy in the role. She also danced. It was cute. I remember doing some research on her and other black entertainers during that time. We were straight played back then and still today somewhat (smh).
She was STUNNING! I want to know more
Toot Toot CL! That’s me blowing you guys horn because you all are so on point with informing us of our black history. Never heard of Nina, will google her and defintely learned something new today! She was a beautiful woman and it’s amazing that she’s related to two CL posters. Keep up the good work!
J. Dakar great post! It is so nice to read about people who we have never heard of. CL this site is really one to save under favorites! Angel keep on doing what you do!
This was very interesting.
Thanks CL for keeping us posted with our history.
pretty
Women, espeically black women were more beautiful then because they were a classic. The closest I see to this sort of classical beauty today is Halle Berry. Even though I do not agree with many of her life choices, there is something classy about the way she carries herself. Look at this picture above of McKinney. Her legs aren’t spread eagle. She’s not showing cleavage. Even in her “naked picture,” she carries herself with a certain dignity. I do not see that in any of our actresses or singers today. The only one who has a striking dignity about herself is Angela Bassett, and mainstream Hollywood has made it a point to not help her career. Either whore yourself out, or risk not being seen.
She was beautiful!!! The second pic of her reminds me of Rhinanna tho lol
Hollywood did the same thing with Bruce Lee when they figured that an Asian would not appeal to the American people so they gave the role to that nasty looking white in the TV series Kung Fu.
Wow. Thanks for posting. I had never heard of her. I will be looking into some of her films… She’s beautiful.
Great Post! It’s sade that its over 50 years later and black actresses are STILL struggling to find work.