If you've seen Stormy Weather - and I know you have, then you've seen Emmett "Babe" Wallace as Chick Bailey. Maybe you just didn't know who the brotha was! Despite having a major role in the landmark 1943 movie starring Lena Horne, the Nicholas Brothers and Cab Calloway, Wallace wasn't listed in the credits. It had something to do with role reversals, attitudes and politics. The suave debonaire Babe Wallace was originally slated for the male lead as Lena's romantic interest in the movie - and what a sizzling pair they would have made. But the legendary Bill "Bojangles" Robinson came on board with the bigger name draw and Wallace was unceremoniously relegated to the second male lead - and they didn't even credit him. What resulted was one of the most glaring miscasts in the history of movies when old, crusty ashy Bill Robinson, almost 60 at the time, stepped in to woo & coo the sultry and delicious Lena Horne. WHOA!
About a year ago, I was hosting my own pity party and feeling most underappreciated when I started deleting my blog posts one by one. I started at the very beginning (2008) and just started wrecking havoc on my own work. But when I got to this one (Meet EMMETT "BABE" WALLACE ~ A Fine And Mellow Fellow!) I stopped! I knew it was too good to destroy. That's why the beginning of my blog now starts off as if it's been there all time with no introduction.
I'd like to share it again because Wallace's grandson, musician Jimy Bleu, told me that the documentary he is producing on his grandfather is still coming along very nicely in post-production, thank you very much! Once an international star, now mostly forgotten except by affionados of black film histoy, the late Emmett "Babe" Wallace will once again have a major film role - and this time he won't have to play second fiddle to nobody. He'll get TOP BILLING!
In the meantime ... check this out .....................
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