Porgy and Bess (1959)
Director: Otto Preminger
Watched: 6/16/18
Rating: 4/10
A Black Musical with all dialogue sung except white cast, adultery, brutality, “happy dust”, murder, prostitution, poverty, shibboleths- does it not cater to black stereotypes?
Quality on publicly available versions is abysmal due to Gershwin Family politics,
Watches like a stage opera transferred directly to the screen- lengthy, melodramatic, and static with long to medium shots; missing character intimacy,
Though some entertaining (dubbed) songs, suspenseful moments, and impressive performances from Dorothy Dandridge and Sammy Davis Jr.,
When even the cast and crew were vocal with their complaints and hesitations, how can viewers expect a bona fide success?