Nina Mae McKinney Movies and Career Information

Nina Mae McKinney (June 13, 1913 - May 3, 1967) was an American actress. Dubbed "The Black Garbo", she was one of the first African-American film stars and was one of the first African-Americans to appear on British television, featuring in the demonstration film broadcast each morning for the benefit of installers and engineers. Born Nannie Mayme McKinney in Lancaster, South Carolina, McKinney moved to New York when she was a teenager and began her career performing as a dancer. She was spotted dancing in Blackbirds of 1928 by director King Vidor and cast in the lead role of Hallelujah!, one of the first all-black films by a major studio and Vidor's first sound film, for which he was nominated for the best director Oscar in 1930. In the film, McKinney dances the "Swanee Shuffle", a seductive dance which became a minor fashion. After Hallelujah! McKinney signed a five year contract with MGM, however, the studio seemed reluctant to star her in feature films. Her most notable roles during this period were in films for other studios, including a leading role in Sanders of the River (1935), made in the UK, where she appears with Paul Robeson. After MGM cut almost all her scenes in