March 2002 Carmen Jones : Things that Make you say "Hmmm"!

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By Lauren W. Carmen Jones - Things that Make you say "Hmmm"! In 1955, rising star and nightclub diva Dorothy Dandridge learned that she had received an Oscar nomination for her exquisite portrayal of the tragic Carmen opposite Harry Belafonte in a modern adaptation of G. Bizet's classic “Carmen Suite” which was called “Carmen Jones.” Other women who received a nomination for the Best Actress Oscar award were Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Judy Garland and Jane Wyman. Although she did not win the award, this event was a major occurrence for Hollywood and the continued rise of black actresses. It is important to note that last year MTV released a full length movie which they called “a Hip Hopera called Carmen,” starring Beyonce Knowles among other big names. As you may have guessed, this film was an adaptation of “Carmen Jones.” Watch both and be on the look-out for extreme similarities, and vast differences.