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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Wow this is really sad, it makes me wonder just how many Nina Mae Mckinney’s there were that we know nothing about. She was really gorgeous!
luv.
She was absolutley GORGEOUS…just a beautiful woman.I really love how she never gave up on her dreams and talent.Its a shame that she didn’t get much attention in the U.S.but she was a lovely woman,performer,and artist that people should know and remember her for forever.
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Thank you for the information. I really like how this site has “gossip,” but balances it out with good, historical facts too.
Good job, CL!
You may find her in the movie “Hallelujah” and “Pinky”. Turner Classic movies will play these movies from time to time.
Be warned though, these movies are not politically correct, but they are a vital part of our history and should be seen nonetheless.
Thank you so much for highlighting my Great Cousin!! My family has treasured her memory for years. It was a big deal when she was inducted intro the Black Filmakers Hall of Fame in 1978. That cereamony was held at Cal Berkeley and I was about 10 with the biggest grin on my face. It’s nice to know that she has a following that although she never got her due as Lena Horne, Josephine Baker or Dorthy Dandrige did but she is definitly worth an honorable mention.
I grew up knowing Nina Mae, her mother (I called her “Mama Maynor” or “My Maynor”) and her step-father, James Maynor (I called him “Papa James”). We lived in the apartment next door to them on 110th Street until 1950, and from then until Mama Maynor died, I spent at least one weekend a month with them in addition to many visits and phone calls in between. Although Papa James died when I was still a toddler, I have “snap-shot” memories of him, and remember sitting on his shoulders where I could pat his bald head! Mama Maynor and I used to talk about him all the time, and I often went on the subway with her to visit his grave.
Nina Mae and my mother were about the same age, and Mama Maynor was like another mother or grandmother to me. Nina Mae taught me how to do the Hucklebuck, and I used to love playing in her make-up and sneaking sips from her cans of Budweiser beer! Their apartment was my home away from home, and I adored them both. I knew Nina Mae had been married to a man named Jimmy before I was born, but she had a boyfriend named Gene during the 1950s.
Since I was born in 1946, I never got to see Nina Mae perform except in her living room, and didn’t fully realize what a wonderful performer and star she had been until I was grown! However, my sister who is 9 years older had a chance to see her on stage when she was trying to make a comeback. Although Nina Mae’s online bios talk about her living in Greece until the 1960s, I know she was living in New York a lot (if not most) of the time during the 1950s. After Mama Maynor died when I was in high school, we didn’t visit Nina Mae anymore (my parents never really explained why), but I did go to see her once on my own when I was a student at Hunter College. On day after class in late 1965 or sometime in 1966, I decided to try to see Nina Mae — she and Mama Maynor had been such important people in my life, and I needed to reconnect — and found that she was still in the same apartment. Nina Mae opened the door for me, and I was shocked to see how old and ill she looked. She clearly had been drinking heavily and said she didn’t feel well. I told her I didn’t want to intrude, and just wanted her to know that I cared. She thanked me for coming, and I left feeling extraordinarily sad. I went back one more time after I graduated in June 1967, but Nina Mae was gone by then.
About 10 years ago, I went to the cemetery in the Bronx where Mama Maynor and Papa James are buried, and discovered that Nina Mae’s ashes were buried with them according to cemetery records. I was very disturbed to find that Mama Maynor’s first name is misspelled on her headstone, and there is no marker at all for Nina Mae.
I am so glad that Nina Mae has not been forgotten, and that younger folks can learn about and appreciate her. I am so grateful that she was a part of my life.
I love her in Hallelujah! If any of you want to locate African American classic movies at a great price and with, go to Movies Unlimited. She as well as other unnoticed African American actors were great. I love reading your history moments. I learn something new from all of them!
Thanks for highlighting this lovely, talented, under-rated actress.Nina Mae McKinney starred in King Vidor’s landmark film “Hallelujah!”(1929). I just love her. I was moved to the core by the three women in that film: Nina Mae, Victoria Spivey(a beautiful, outstanding blues singer) and Fanny Belle De Knight. The actor Daniel Haynes(Zeke) was also extremely handsome.
#67 Kimber, can I get more information, i am writing a play that includes her and want to make sure that I have accurate info.. I can be reached at denise-nb@hotmail.com. Thanks