I hungered for more details and analysis as i read this book by lena horne s daughter. In 1937 horne married minor politician louis jones, by whom she had a daughter, gail, and a son, edwin they separated in 1940 and divorced in 1944. May 09, 2010 lena horne, american singer and actress who first came to fame in the 1940s. The rap on my husband, ellsworth bumpy johnson paperback november 9, 2012. In two years at the cotton club she appeared with such entertainers as cab calloway and. Charles self bedford, va you were the greatest yvonneolivia avery tamarac, fl may god bless you and your family in this time of. History of black america seen through one family the.
The lady and her music was a 1981 broadway musical revue written for and starring american singer and actress lena horne. An inspired, intimate history of musical legend lena horne and her family, written by lena s daughter, gail lumet buckley. Books by john wray, idra novey, gail lumet buckley, and rob. Gail lumet buckley will discuss the black calhouns at the southern festival of books. At long last, the first serious biography of entertainment legend lena horne the celebrated star of film, stage, and music who became one of the first. An american family that among their relatives was a college girlfriend of w. Gail lumet buckley left and her mother, lena horne, at an awards ceremony in 1987. Both parents had a mixed heritage of african american. For anyone wanting to know more about what america was like for middleclass blacks in the reconstruction and beyond, the hornes is a wonderful place to begin. Gail lumet buckley is the daughter of great lena horne. Born on june 30, 1917 lena horne was the daughter of edwin fletcher horne junior and edna louise scrotton in bedfordstuyvesant, brooklyn. Lena mary calhoun horne was born on june 30, 1917, in brooklyn, new york, the daughter of a bankerprofessional gambler and an actress.
Her parents divorced while she was still a toddler. Lena horne s autobiography, lena, is a wonderful account of her life up until 1965. Gail lumet buckleys family history provides a window into. Lena horne biography life, family, story, death, history. The glamorous horne would go on to be one of the legendary divas of popular music, jazz critic don heckman wrote in the times in 1997, with a. Still, it was interesting to read about the talented tenth, the middle and upper classes of.
Lena s early years lena horne was born in brooklyn, new york, on june 30, 1917. The daughter of lena horne, gail lumetbuckley, second right, and grand daughter jenny lumet third right, are surrounded by friends and family at the funeral for entertainer and civil rights. Her story, now familiar, is here, placed within the context of family as seen by her daughter. A personal and professional biography of lena horne.
Stream adfree or purchase cds and mp3s now on amazon. Russell simmons allegedly raped lena hornes granddaughter 26. Buckley s family was part of the old black middle class. So it was at the horne residence, the hub of a family with a sprawling history explored by gail lumet buckley in her book the hornes. Lena horne, american singer and actress who first came to fame in the 1940s. The legendary miss lena horne weatherford, carole boston, zunon, elizabeth on. Buckley grew up in a privileged black middle class family that paved her entry into the elite society of the rich, famous, and. Gail lumet buckley was born gail horne jones on december 21, 1937, in pittsburgh, pennsylvania. Daughter of the legendary entertainer lena horne, she was raised. Her mother, edna, was an actress with an african american theater troupe and traveled extensively. Her family history the hornes became an american masters documentary, and she narrated. Can only say if you liked lena horne you will appreciate her daughters talent and writing. On december 21, 1937, their daughter, gail later known as gail lumet buckley, a writer was born.
The life of lena horne, the legendary singeractress was never comfortable being an icon. Lena is candid, honest, funny and fully aware of all the elements it took to get her to where she is and how she became the woman she ascended to. Lumet, the daughter of filmmaker sidney lumet and the granddaughter of singer and activist lena horne, took simmons to task for his apparent hypocrisy in claiming, i have never committed any acts of aggression or violence in my life. He had a major influence on the career of lena horne, who wanted to marry strayhorn and considers him to. History of black america seen through one family the boston. Jul 22, 2007 an unusually subtle performance by lena from the mid1960s. In the black calhouns, gail lumet buckley displays a particularly panoramic view of american society. Lena horne at pierre balmain, 1960 the cut women had so much class back then. Horne joined the chorus of the cotton club at the age of 16 and became a nightclub performer before moving to hollywood. This picture of sidney lumet, 39, broadway and hollywood producer, and his bride, actress gail jones, 25, is transmitted in response to requests. Jenny lumet is the screenwriter who accused russell simmons of forcing her to have sex with him in 1991. Gail lumet buckley lena horne s story, as told by her daughter when lena horne first signed with mgm, the studio wanted her to. The musical was produced by michael frazier and fred walker, and the cast album was produced by quincy jones. Her father ran a gambling operation and was well off while her mother worked as a theatre actress who performed at theatres all over the united states.
New york apartment owned by lena horne hits market for. The black calhouns, by gail lumet buckley the new york. Buckley is the daughter of legendary entertainer lena horne. When lena horne s estate put items up for auction this was who was in attendance. Her father, louis jones, was a publisher and her mother, lena horne, was a famous singer and actress. And while she was at it, miss horne said, you might take a look in it. Yet the book s ultimate magic derives from the way the history of black america can be viewed through their story. Although there are many show business anecdotes and stories of her professional career, its also a fascinating look at one of americas earliest black superstars, and the trials she encountered due to segregation from the 30s on. Several highly regarded horne albums, including lena horne at the waldorf astoria 1957 and lena horne at the sands 1961, emerged from this period, as. Lena mary calhoun horne june 1917 may was an african american singer, actress, civil rights activist. Family history provides a window into black liberation. Jul 09, 2009 throughout her sixdecade career, lena horne was one of the most talentedand complicatedfigures in show business.
How lena horne escaped hollywoods blacklist the atlantic. Lena horne biography tells of a star shaped by rejection. Cora calhoun horne s roots were in the family lena horne s daughter, gail lumet buckley, has chronicled in her book the black calhouns. She grew up with her late siblingbrother, terry jones, who died at the age of. An article on the style page last friday about a book on lena horne s family by her daughter gail lumet buckley incorrectly quoted a reference to. Indeed, beholding her immortal and unearthly beauty, one might imagine that even in the bad old days, she. An american family, which was turned into a pbs documentary. Horne s career spanned over 70 years, appearing in film, television, and theater.
Gail buckley wikibio, age, married, divorced, children. Before reading this book my only exposure to miss lena horne was a brief appearance she made years ago on the cosby show. Gail lumet buckley is the daughter of the great jazz singer lena horne, and the former wife of film director sidney lumet. An american family, is an inspired history of buckleys mother, musical legend lena horne, and her family. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Gail lumet buckley, author info, published books, bio, photo, video. Lena hornes story, as told by her daughter wbur news. Lena hornes family outraged by bronx principals black.
The best histories are about more than facts and events something that gail buckley intimately understands. My daughters favorite book, a wonderful, empowering biography of a woman who. More than a loving biography of a true show business legend, lumet buckley traces lenas, as well as her own, roots as the latest in a long family line of americas black elite. An inspired, intimate history of musical legend lena horne and her family, written by lenas daughter, gail lumet buckley. She is also an acclaimed author in her own right, and will talk about her excellent new memoir, the black calhouns. An american family by gail lumet buckley goodreads. Inducted into the big band and jazz hall of fame in 1991. In the 1940s, the press bestowed several condescending sobriquets on lena horne. An american family 1986 by lena horne s daughter gail lumet buckley. Lena horne at 77 years old with granddaughter jenny lumet. The show opened on may 12, 1981, and after 333 performances, closed on june 30, 1982, horne s 65th birthday. The best sources, however, are lena s autobiography, lena 1965, paperback 1986 coauthored by richard schickel, and the hornes. She has published two wellreceived histories, including the hornes. Born and brought up in the top stratum of the black bourgeosie, lena horne moved into white society with her international stardom and second marriage to lennie hayton, bringing her daughter, gail.
Lumet was married to horne s daughter gail jones gail lumet buckley. An inspired, intimate history of musical legend lena horne and her family, written by lenas daughter. Four years later, she was described in the new york times as a radiantly beautiful sepia girl who will be a winner when she has proper directionphotograph. From civil war to civil rights with one africanamerican family gail lumet buckley.
Lena horne granddaughter, sidney lumet daughter jenny. Buckley also chronicles the familys history in her 1986 book, the hornes. The horne family research photograph collection depicts some aspects of the personal lives of the horn later spelled horne and calhoun families, as well as the personal life and professional career of entertainer lena horne, from the midnineteenth century to the 1980s the collection, which was compiled by gail lumet buckley, lena horne s daughter, for her book the hornes. Her grandmother was an activist for africanamericans and because she made sure lena was involved in programs. Lena horne in paris at a fashion show by pierre balmain with her husband, the conductor and arranger, lennie hayton, on september the model is paulette and she was wearing mr. Gail lumet buckley lena hornes story, as told by her daughter when lena horne first signed with mgm, the studio wanted her to play a maid. Gail lumet buckley is a journalist and the daughter of lena horne. Lena horne was honored by usps this week both as a trailblazer in hollywood for women of color and an important civil rights activist. Lena horne was a legendary brooklynborn grammy and tony winning singer, dancer, activist, and actress who performed on stage, in film, and on tv from the time she emerged as a starlet in the 1930s until her death in 2010. A personal and professional biography of lena horne 1984 by james haskins with kathleen benson. And while other black female performers, at least in the movies, were often regulated to servant roles, horne the daughter of privilege refused to play the maid or the nanny. Horne joined the chorus of the cotton club at the age of 16 and became a nightclub performer before moving to hollywood returning to her roots as a nightclub performer, horne took part in.
Gail lumet buckley recounts the story of the horne family spanning eight generations and describing americas developing black middle class by lena horne s daughter. A history cum memoir by lena hornes daughter tells the story of her. Lena horne broke barriers in the 1940s for black performers and sidney lumet was an awardwinning director and filmmaker. Screenwriter jenny lumet, known for her awardwinning screenplay rachel getting married, is hornes granddaughter, the daughter of filmmaker sidney lumet and hornes daughter gail. Lena hornes granddaughter, filmmaker jenny lumet, accuses. Horne left school at age 16 to help support her ailing mother and became a dancer at the cotton club in harlem, new york city. Lena mary calhoun horne june 30, 1917 may 9, 2010 was an american singer, dancer.
Jul 06, 2009 according to james gavins new biography, stormy weather. Her father, edwin teddy horne, who worked in the gambling trade, left the family when lena was three. The lena horne prize for artists creating social impact. These welleducated bourgeois african americans were descended from a nephew of secessionist vice president john c. Lumet was married to hornes daughter gail jones gail lumet buckley. Her daughter, gail lumet buckley, wrote in her 1986 book the hornes. Family documents about lena horne s life and research material for gail lumet buckleys books. Several years ago, lena horne asked her daughter, gail lumet buckley, to store in her basement an old family trunk that had belonged to miss hornes father. More than a loving biography of a true show business legend, lumet buckley traces lena s, as well as her own, roots as the latest in a long family line of americas black elite. Her mother left later in order to find work as an actress and lena was left in the.
The reader will want, mainly, to know about lena horne. Lena horne recalled her as a violent, militant little lady who never caressed her or uttered a loving word. The couple is shown at their wedding reception in new york november 23. Gail buckley was born gail horne jones on december 21, 1937, in pittsburgh, pennsylvania to parents lena horne mother and louis jordan jones father.
Her other grandchildren include gails other daughter, amy lumet, and her sons four children, thomas, william, samadhi, and lena. The lost time accidents, ways to disappear, the black calhouns. The black calhouns, by gail lumet buckley the new york times. Today, we honor the 70year career of a true american. Screenwriter jenny lumet, known for her awardwinning screenplay rachel getting married, is horne s granddaughter, the daughter of filmmaker sidney lumet and horne s daughter gail. Jun 20, 1986 several years ago, lena horne asked her daughter, gail lumet buckley, to store in her basement an old family trunk that had belonged to miss horne s father.
Lena s daughter, gail lumet buckley jenny lumet, lena s grandaughter. For seven years she grew up living in brooklyn with her grandparents. She was branded a communist sympathizer by many rightwing conservatives because of her association with paul robeson and her progressive political beliefs which led her to be blacklisted in the 1950s. Oct 06, 2016 gail lumet buckley will discuss the black calhouns at the southern festival of books. From civil war to civil rights with one african american family. Gail lumet buckley was born on december 21, 1937 in pittsburgh, pennsylvania, usa as gail horne jones. Members of lena horne s family, including her daughter gail lumet buckley and granddaughters jenny and amy lumet, were in attendance. After reading this book i have a much greater appreciation for the talents as well as courage of miss lena horne. Gail lumet buckley, author info, published books, bio, photo. Lena horne the complete guide this is a wikipedia book, a collection of wikipedia articles that can be easily saved, imported by an external electronic rendering service, and ordered as a printed book.
Any lena horne fan would be in pure bliss just knowing that they are hearing these accounts straight from this wonderful woman. Creator horne, lena call number sc mg 326 language english preferred citation item, lena horne collection, sc mg 326, schomburg center for research in black culture, manuscripts, archives and rare books division, the new york public library. In an excerpt from his definitive new biography of the glamorous singer and. Although buckleys mother, lena horne, is the most famous member of the family, the book makes it clear that she was only one of its noteworthy success stories. Feb 15, 2018 lumet, a screenwriter and mother of two, spoke inside her home filled with photos and books about her grandmother, as well as a sheet of lena horne stamps and the late icons 1995 grammy award for. In her biography she stated that, on the day she was born, her father was in the midst of a card game trying to get money to pay the hospital costs. Lena mary calhoun horne june 30, 1917 may 9, 2010 was an american singer, dancer, actress, and civil rights activist. Nov 30, 2017 russell simmons allegedly raped lena hornes granddaughter 26 years ago november 30, 2017 media mogul russell simmons is walking away from all of his companies amid new sexual assault allegations. Hornes career spanned over 70 years, appearing in film, television, and theater. In the black calhouns, gail lumet buckleydaughter of actress lena hornedelves deep into her family history, detailing the experiences of an extraordinary africanamerican family from civil war to civil rights. Daughter of the legendary entertainer lena horne, she. Even hornes daughter, gail lumet buckley, who wrote a 1986 book about the horne family, didnt get to see the letter until 20. Lena calhoun horne was born june 30, 1917, in brooklyn, new york. Gail lumet buckley is the author of two books and a contributor to many periodicals.
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