Nina Mae McKinney, 1929.

#photography #cinema #1920s #NinaMaeMcKinney #Hallelujah

#NinaMaeMcKinney *shines* in GUN MOLL (aka GANG SMASHERS) 1938.

The all-Black cast film was a MILLION DOLLAR PRODUCTIONS film with a story by Black actor/pioneer, Ralph Cooper (DARK MANHATTAN (1937), GANG WAR (1940)).

#shorts #reels #classicmovies #film #blackfilmsky #filmsky

Opinion, mine. A thread.

What draws my attention to this production still from RECKLESS (1935) is how #NinaMaeMcKinney is the focal point—no shade against Jean Harlow, whom I *adore*—but Nina Mae captures your attention instantly.

1/🧵

cont'd

You want to know who she is. And from my point of view, you want a story surrounding her as the character, a lead in a similar type of film, if not THIS film. RECKLESS . . . Starring #NinaMaeMcKinney. Wouldn't that have been CAPTIVATING. No. That wasn't a question.

5/END

On This Day In Jazz Age Music!
JUNE 13TH...
open.substack.com/pub/onthisda...

#JUNE13 #JUNE13TH #NinaMaeMcKinney #DocCheatham #JackFulton #ArtHickman #RichardMJones #JazzWizards #VincentRose #OTD #BOTD #OnThisDay #JazzAge #MusicSky #MusicianSky #Blues #78rpm #Music #BLUES #Vaudeville #Flapper #JAZZ

On This Day In Jazz Age Music!
FACES of JUNE 13TH...
open.substack.com/pub/onthisda...

#JUNE13TH #JUNE13 #OTD #BOTD #OnThisDay #JazzAge #MusicSky #MusicianSky #Blues #78rpm #TinPanAlley #NinaMaeMcKinney #HotJazz #ClassicJazz #Music #DocCheatham #JackFulton #ArtHickman #EdwinSwayze #JAZZ #Vaudeville

cont'd

On the downside, what *always* captures my attention in the film, RECKLESS (1935), is how #NinaMaeMcKinney has little to no screen time during her brief performance—seen in the background and singing during the finale—in the 'Reckless' number.

2/🧵

cont'd

Because I also feel even without a close-up, #NinaMaeMcKinney had 👏🏾 such 👏🏾 a 👏🏾 presence, your eye goes to her when you see the sequin dress—gowns by Adrian—sparkle when she's first seen onscreen, that goes beyond just the dress, but the person carrying the dress.

4/🧵

WINNER

NINA MAE MCKINNEY, HALLELUJAH!

McKinney gives a powerhouse performance as Chick. She dance & sings the house down, plays the malicious characteristics of her role so well as well as the redemption. Hers is a compelling turn.

#movies #SupportingActress #NinaMaeMcKinney

I love Nina Mae

Choose one film a day from a great director. Name the film and director, and provide a still. Keep going for as long as you like.
Film: Hallelujah (1929)
Director: King Vidor
#Filmsky #KingVidor #MovieSky #NinaMaeMcKinney #CinemaSky #Melodrama #Cinema #MovieChallenge #FilmChallenge

Meet Nina Mae McKinney: The Trailblazer Hollywood Tried to Hide 🖤✨

Nina Mae McKinney Art: richard-laeton.pixels.com/featured/nin...

#blackhistory #ClassicHollywood #NinaMaeMcKinney #WomenInHistory #CinemaPioneers #untoldstoriesrecordings

Meet Nina Mae McKinney: The Trailblazer Hollywood Tried to Hide 🖤✨

Nina Mae McKinney Art:https://richard-laeton.pixels.com/featured/nina-mae-mckinney-3-richard-laeton.html
#blackhistory #ClassicHollywood #NinaMaeMcKinney #WomenInHistory #CinemaPioneers #untoldstoriesrecordings

Happy Birthday Nina Mae McKinney. (RIP) #HappyBirthdayNinaMaeMcKinny #NinaMaeMcKinney #Birthday #Legends

BHM 2026 No 19

Nina Mae McKinney-Entertainer
She began her career performing in speakeasies in Harlem. Dubbed the Black Garbo, was one of 1st black international film stars and one of to appear on British TV.

#BlackhistoryMonth #BlackHistoryMonth2026 #BlackActors #Blackentertainer #NinamaeMckinney