History by Hollywood : Stranger than Fiction
by Paulette Reynolds * April 28, 2020
by Paulette Reynolds * April 28, 2020
Self Made
The Story of Madam C.J. Walker
Netflix / April 15, 2020
Limited Series
Directors: DeMane Davis, Kasi Lemmons
Screenplay: Nicole Jefferson Asher, A’Lelia Bundles, Elle Johnson, Janine Sherman Barrois, Tyger Williams
Starring Octavia Spencer/Madam C. J. Walker, Tiffany Haddish/Lelia, Blair Underwood/Charles Joseph Walker, Carmen Ejogo/Addie Monroe (Annie Malone), Garrett Morris/Cleophus Walker, Kevin Carroll/Ransom, J. Alphonse Nicholson/John Robinson
The Story of Madam C.J. Walker
Netflix / April 15, 2020
Limited Series
Directors: DeMane Davis, Kasi Lemmons
Screenplay: Nicole Jefferson Asher, A’Lelia Bundles, Elle Johnson, Janine Sherman Barrois, Tyger Williams
Starring Octavia Spencer/Madam C. J. Walker, Tiffany Haddish/Lelia, Blair Underwood/Charles Joseph Walker, Carmen Ejogo/Addie Monroe (Annie Malone), Garrett Morris/Cleophus Walker, Kevin Carroll/Ransom, J. Alphonse Nicholson/John Robinson
"Self Made: The Story of Madam C. J. Walker!"
The promotional buzz for Netflix's biography of cosmetic giant Madam C. J. Walker filled me with hope and promise. "Finally," I thought, "a bio about a strong woman of color!"
The promotional buzz for Netflix's biography of cosmetic giant Madam C. J. Walker filled me with hope and promise. "Finally," I thought, "a bio about a strong woman of color!"
It's a fact that there are few film biographies of famous women - and even less about women of color. Hollywood's myopic love affair with the male hero boasts a long history of biographies, due in large part because of the dominance of white male producers, directors and writers. And film directory sites like IMDb aren't doing the industry a service by boasting The 100 Best Biography Movies - and then only listing 12 films about women.
So the warm glow lasted for a few minutes, thinking about all the future stories of famous women landing in my cable lineup.
So the warm glow lasted for a few minutes, thinking about all the future stories of famous women landing in my cable lineup.
"Inspired by the life of Madam C. J. Walker..."
The tag line caught me tragically off-guard and I plunged into despair as I recognized the sinister Hollywood code. A chill of certainty ran up my spine and I knew what to expect - a muddled mass of half-truths and a whole mess of sensational storytelling - because Hollywood loves to slap a coat of shiny make-believe onto a personal memoir and pass it off as truth.
The tag line caught me tragically off-guard and I plunged into despair as I recognized the sinister Hollywood code. A chill of certainty ran up my spine and I knew what to expect - a muddled mass of half-truths and a whole mess of sensational storytelling - because Hollywood loves to slap a coat of shiny make-believe onto a personal memoir and pass it off as truth.
A note of good news is that Octavia Spencer's performance is a multi-faceted joy to watch during the first three episodes. But she hits a brick wall in a final episode that gets bogged down with surveying her empire, coming to terms with health and family drama, plus getting the last word in with her greatest rival, Addie. And while Addie is described by Netflix's PR team as a "composite" character - which is another Hollywood code for telling a sloppy set of lies - it actually appears that Octavia Spencer's Madam C. J. Walker is the composite character here.
The parallels between Annie Malone and Walker reveal the enormous challenges for any woman of color who wanted to become a successful entrepreneur in the early 1900s : Both women battled racial barriers and the societal expectations for women and wives. Both loved encouraging women of color to become a better version of themselves while teaching them about the cosmetic business. And both rose to the pinnacle of success, but paid a high price once they reached the top. *1 - *12
Spencer captures Madam Walker's ferocious ambition and rides it all the way to the peak of the business world. She lives in a ceaseless whirl of birthing her plans into creation with a feverish energy that at first inspires everyone around her; but when her family and colleagues seek to take a break or move into a new direction, that same drive begins to wear them out and eventually pushes everyone away. It's revealing that Walker is never shown in any close friendships, except with her first associate and later competitor, Addie Monroe. It's lonely at the top...
Blair Underwood, as Walker's third husband C.J., delivers a rich portrayal of a man caught trying to please a wife who seems to have little desire for a marriage beyond autopilot. Madam directs scant attention towards C.J. as she climbs the ladder of wealth and power, except to belittle his suggestions and send him on errands. Yet Underwood strikes a fine balance of a proud man who finally succumbs to his worst side, once he finds himself completely shut out after four years of marriage.
A wonderful surprise is comedian Garrett Morris as the wise Cleophus Walker, who is the moral center of the Walker family - you know - the elder who everyone conveniently ignores when they’re offering that snippet of sage advice?
The costume staff worked hard to create a dazzling array of period fashions, yet something seems a bit off-center in the translation to the screen for the female actors. Yes, we see that the characters are wearing these lovely creations, but as with any historical production, the fashions should compliment the player - not dominate the eye. The apparel should fit the person like a second skin, moving with them as though they’re actually living in that period, but instead it feels like they’re just donning an outfit for a special occasion.
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Another weak link in Self Made is Tiffany Haddish as daughter A'Lelia, who fails to be convincing as the Harlem Renaissance socialite hosting dazzling parties and artistic salons for the glittering art community. She brings a sweet charm to her character, but the viewer is left to believe that A'Lelia was an out-of-the-closet lesbian - with no actual documented proof - making her orientation nothing more than a slick gimmick and a disingenuous nod to the LGBQTI community.
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But the tragedy of Self Made is the blame game put on Annie Malone, play by Carmen Ejogo, as "Addie Monroe". Ejogo's Addie is transformed into a grotesque caricature, an embittered business rival who spends 13 years harassing and conniving against Walker for stealing her Wonderful Hair Grower name and formula.
It's a safe bet that most people viewing Netflix's limited series know little about the cosmetic industry's first black female titan. But in reality, if one listens closely, it's possible to hear the true voice and wisdom of Annie Malone - but not from Carmen Ejogo's Addie. It's left to Octavia Spencer's Madam C.J. Walker to speak the combined truth to power for both women, whose dual careers mirrored each other so closely.
And if it takes a Hollywood village to birth a film or series, then the perspective of Self Made’s producers, directors and writers are guilty of being blind to its one dimensional vision. So in the end, a shared biography that could have embraced the vision and courage of two female role models - on a similar quest - is twisted into racial stereotyping for just another Hollywood History soap opera.
And if it takes a Hollywood village to birth a film or series, then the perspective of Self Made’s producers, directors and writers are guilty of being blind to its one dimensional vision. So in the end, a shared biography that could have embraced the vision and courage of two female role models - on a similar quest - is twisted into racial stereotyping for just another Hollywood History soap opera.
This "road not taken" by a collective of esteemed artists sabotages both Annie Malone and Madam C.J. Walker, black history, women entrepreneurs - and the female gaze. Reducing a story like Self Made into a glamorized cat fight is every male's fantasy and every high school clique’s singular activity. Repeating such a sexist trope doesn’t do much to promote a progressive film for women to be proud of - when will those who work behind the camera stop relying on cheap tricks to tell a thrilling historical drama for women and girls?
Madam C. J. Walker founded her empire in the shadow of Annie Malone’s pioneering career, using reinvented marketing techniques, good financial planning, her laser-focused ambition and later, her ancestors’ efforts. She managed to eclipse her former business mentor and her enormous headstone is the final advertisement in her thirst to be known as *the* number one woman in the black hair care industry. Self Made indirectly brought the point home that Walker’s lonely trip to the top was only possible with the help of many people - except when it came to the woman who got there first, Annie Turnbo Malone.
But Annie’s niece, Sasha Turnbo, understands time and the value of keeping Annie Malone’s dream alive, too. “Annie was the highest taxpayer in St. Louis,” she explained. “Most White men were after her because no Black woman had achieved such success and wealth. Though Annie and Sarah had their fallout, Annie did not stop spreading her light. The entire country was after Annie Turnbo Malone, and she is an iconic woman. Annie’s story is coming to light and will be given the respect she deserves.” *13
And KUDOS > Refinery29's Best Biopics of All Time gets high marks for including Hidden Figures, Marie Antoinette, Seberg, Judy, Lovelace, Lady Sings the Blues, Julie & Julia, and other women in their online Best Biography timeline.
https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/search?q=best+biopics+of+all+time
Biographical Notes of Interest:
*1 - *12
*1 - *12
It’s well known that the business world can be - as likened to the boxing ring in Self Made - a ruthless arena. Known as a sharp businesswoman, Madam Walker often gilded the lily by saying, “I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them!”
*1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_Turnbo_Malone
“As Malone’s former protégé, Walker moved to Indianapolis in 1910 where she would train some 40,000 “Walker Agents” to grow her business. Walker developed similar products as her rival, but she would also be more business savvy and a marketing guru. Instead of the “Great Wonderful Hair Grower,” Walker would sell the “Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower.” And whereas Malone took her product’s name from an African word, Walker took it one step further and claimed that ingredients in her hair products were of African origin.”
*2 Who was Annie Malone? By Chicago Crusader . April 24, 2018
https://chicagocrusader.com/who-was-annie-malone/
*1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_Turnbo_Malone
“As Malone’s former protégé, Walker moved to Indianapolis in 1910 where she would train some 40,000 “Walker Agents” to grow her business. Walker developed similar products as her rival, but she would also be more business savvy and a marketing guru. Instead of the “Great Wonderful Hair Grower,” Walker would sell the “Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower.” And whereas Malone took her product’s name from an African word, Walker took it one step further and claimed that ingredients in her hair products were of African origin.”
*2 Who was Annie Malone? By Chicago Crusader . April 24, 2018
https://chicagocrusader.com/who-was-annie-malone/
“…Madam C.J. Walker marketed her Wonderful Hair Grower as a combination of unique, hard-to-find ingredients from the shores of Africa. But she probably bought most of the materials in Saint Louis, Missouri. Her concoction included coconut oil, petroleum, beeswax, carbolic acid and copper sulfate and precipitated sulfur. Finally, Walker added a dash of violet perfume to mask the odor of the other ingredients.”
*3 Madam Walker’s Secret Recipe by Heather M. Hopkins. January 2005 Footsteps; Jan/Feb2005, Vol. 7 Issue 1, p15
*3 Madam Walker’s Secret Recipe by Heather M. Hopkins. January 2005 Footsteps; Jan/Feb2005, Vol. 7 Issue 1, p15
While some websites attribute the invention of the hot comb to Madam C. J, the truth is…
"A Frenchman named Marcel Grateau, who went by several names, is often accredited with its invention in the late 1800s when the hot comb was used by white women in Europe. According to the European Patent Office, Grateau is listed as having patents for a “hair-waving iron” and a curling iron rather than a hot comb. (Note it is very possible for him to have invented the hot comb without having a registered patent for it.) In 1886, the invention was being marketed to white women in popular American store catalogs like Bloomingdale's. Other individuals with patents for hot combs include, but are not limited to, Walter Sammons in 1920 and a St. Louis based woman named Clara Grant in 1925.”
*4 Annie Turnbo Malone, Madam C.J. Walker, and the Complicated History of the Hot Comb (*4)
By Written by Moriah James. Jan. 10, 2019
https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/collection/sizzle
"A Frenchman named Marcel Grateau, who went by several names, is often accredited with its invention in the late 1800s when the hot comb was used by white women in Europe. According to the European Patent Office, Grateau is listed as having patents for a “hair-waving iron” and a curling iron rather than a hot comb. (Note it is very possible for him to have invented the hot comb without having a registered patent for it.) In 1886, the invention was being marketed to white women in popular American store catalogs like Bloomingdale's. Other individuals with patents for hot combs include, but are not limited to, Walter Sammons in 1920 and a St. Louis based woman named Clara Grant in 1925.”
*4 Annie Turnbo Malone, Madam C.J. Walker, and the Complicated History of the Hot Comb (*4)
By Written by Moriah James. Jan. 10, 2019
https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/collection/sizzle
“Annie Malone was the first to patent a hot comb. Madame CJ Walker improved upon the comb by widening the teeth for use on black hair.”
*5 Who Was One of Madam C.J. Walker's Most Important Role Models?
By Joel Freeman
https://freemaninstitute.com/poro.htm
*5 Who Was One of Madam C.J. Walker's Most Important Role Models?
By Joel Freeman
https://freemaninstitute.com/poro.htm
Some media sources have touted Madam Walker as being the first black woman millionaire…but really?
“The exact extent of Madam Walker's wealth is hard to ascertain with certainty. She denied that she was a millionaire during her lifetime, but her substantial real estate holdings (her property in New York state alone was valued at $700,000 at the time of her death) combined with her controlling interest in a $500,000-a-year firm, bring her estimated net worth to well over $1,000,000. There are other businesswomen who may have hit the million-dollar-mark earlier – including Madam Walker's former employer Annie Turnbo Malone (1869–1957), real-estate magnate Bridget "Biddy" Mason (1818–91) and financier Mary Ellen Pleasant (1814–1904) – but their finances are not nearly as well documented. WHEN - MAY 29, 1919 (her death)”
*6 The Guinness Book of World Records
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/first-self-made-millionairess?fb_comment_id=683116778469956_1600978370017121
*7 Annie Malone, the first Black woman millionaire 17 Feb 2017
Posted by Philadelphia Sun Staff
https://www.philasun.com/diaspora/annie-malone-first-black-woman-millionaire/
Annie Malone was an Honorary Member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority, who lists her as "the first black woman millionaire…”
*8 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_Turnbo_Malone
“The exact extent of Madam Walker's wealth is hard to ascertain with certainty. She denied that she was a millionaire during her lifetime, but her substantial real estate holdings (her property in New York state alone was valued at $700,000 at the time of her death) combined with her controlling interest in a $500,000-a-year firm, bring her estimated net worth to well over $1,000,000. There are other businesswomen who may have hit the million-dollar-mark earlier – including Madam Walker's former employer Annie Turnbo Malone (1869–1957), real-estate magnate Bridget "Biddy" Mason (1818–91) and financier Mary Ellen Pleasant (1814–1904) – but their finances are not nearly as well documented. WHEN - MAY 29, 1919 (her death)”
*6 The Guinness Book of World Records
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/first-self-made-millionairess?fb_comment_id=683116778469956_1600978370017121
*7 Annie Malone, the first Black woman millionaire 17 Feb 2017
Posted by Philadelphia Sun Staff
https://www.philasun.com/diaspora/annie-malone-first-black-woman-millionaire/
Annie Malone was an Honorary Member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority, who lists her as "the first black woman millionaire…”
*8 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_Turnbo_Malone
According to Walker's obituary in The New York Times, "...she said herself two years ago [in 1917] that she was not yet a millionaire, but hoped to be some time, not that she wanted the money for herself, but for the good she could do with it."
*9 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_Turnbo_Malone
“Annie Malone paid the highest taxes of any St. Louisanan in 1924 for the tax year of 1923 in the area of $46,000.00. The tax bracket for that amount paid by Malone was for individuals in the $5 million dollar income range. The Poro College building that was opened in 1918, cost an estimated $400,000.00 to build, add in the furnishings, the paid staff, the maintenance, and all that one would need to own and operate a building of it’s kind, would have “upticked” that cost significantly.”
*10 The Problem With “The Facts About Madam C.J. Walker And Annie Malone” And The Netflix Series
Robert Walker. 03/21/2020 . Harlem World Magazine
https://www.harlemworldmagazine.com/the-problem-with-the-facts-about-madam-c-j-walker-and-annie-malone-and-the-netflix-series/
Malone was a millionaire by the end of the first World War (1918). By 1920, her company was worth an estimated $14 million.
*11 Addie in Self Made Is Based on Beauty Pioneer Annie Turnbo Malone
By Elena Nicolaou. Mar 20, 2020
https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a31225269/self-made-addie-annie-turnbo-malone-facts/
*9 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_Turnbo_Malone
“Annie Malone paid the highest taxes of any St. Louisanan in 1924 for the tax year of 1923 in the area of $46,000.00. The tax bracket for that amount paid by Malone was for individuals in the $5 million dollar income range. The Poro College building that was opened in 1918, cost an estimated $400,000.00 to build, add in the furnishings, the paid staff, the maintenance, and all that one would need to own and operate a building of it’s kind, would have “upticked” that cost significantly.”
*10 The Problem With “The Facts About Madam C.J. Walker And Annie Malone” And The Netflix Series
Robert Walker. 03/21/2020 . Harlem World Magazine
https://www.harlemworldmagazine.com/the-problem-with-the-facts-about-madam-c-j-walker-and-annie-malone-and-the-netflix-series/
Malone was a millionaire by the end of the first World War (1918). By 1920, her company was worth an estimated $14 million.
*11 Addie in Self Made Is Based on Beauty Pioneer Annie Turnbo Malone
By Elena Nicolaou. Mar 20, 2020
https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a31225269/self-made-addie-annie-turnbo-malone-facts/
When is it acceptable to out someone as gay? Should we hold a seance and ask A’Lelia Walker about her sexual orientation?
“Per NPR, A’Lelia wasn’t known to identify as a lesbian or bisexual, though she did throw events that fostered Harlem’s queer community.”
*12 Made: Was Madam C.J. Walker’s Daughter Really a Queer Party Girl?
by Yohanna Desta. March 20, 2020
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/03/netflix-self-made-alelia-walker-true-story
*13 Annie Malone’s niece calls out missing facts in series about Madam C.J. Walker
By A. R. Shaw
https://rollingout.com/2020/03/26/annie-malones-niece-calls-out-missing-facts-in-series-about-madam-c-j-walker/2/
“Per NPR, A’Lelia wasn’t known to identify as a lesbian or bisexual, though she did throw events that fostered Harlem’s queer community.”
*12 Made: Was Madam C.J. Walker’s Daughter Really a Queer Party Girl?
by Yohanna Desta. March 20, 2020
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/03/netflix-self-made-alelia-walker-true-story
*13 Annie Malone’s niece calls out missing facts in series about Madam C.J. Walker
By A. R. Shaw
https://rollingout.com/2020/03/26/annie-malones-niece-calls-out-missing-facts-in-series-about-madam-c-j-walker/2/
Additional References:
Portrayal Of ’Self Made’ Antagonist, Annie Turnbo Malone, Draws Criticism
By Jerry L. Barrow
https://www.bet.com/celebrities/news/2020/03/24/self-made-addie-backlash.html?cid=facebook
Annie Malone History Society.org
https://www.anniemalonehistoricalsociety.org/poro-college.html
Madam C. J. Walker
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madam_C._J._Walker
Portrayal Of ’Self Made’ Antagonist, Annie Turnbo Malone, Draws Criticism
By Jerry L. Barrow
https://www.bet.com/celebrities/news/2020/03/24/self-made-addie-backlash.html?cid=facebook
Annie Malone History Society.org
https://www.anniemalonehistoricalsociety.org/poro-college.html
Madam C. J. Walker
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madam_C._J._Walker
COPYRIGHT 2012/2020. Paulette Reynolds. All CineMata Movie Madness blog articles, reviews, faux interviews, commentary, and the Cine Mata character are under the sole ownership of Paulette Reynolds. All intellectual and creative rights reserved.
