Red Hot Mama
The Life of Sophie Tucker
Austin : University of Texas Press, 2018.
Format: Book
Edition: First edition.
Description: 276 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 24 cm
The "First Lady of Show Business" and the "Last of the Red Hot Mamas," Sophie Tucker was a star in vaudeville, radio, film, and television. A gutsy, song-belting stage performer, she entertained audiences for sixty years and inspired a host of younger women, including Judy Garland, Carol Channing, and Bette Midler. Tucker was a woman who defied traditional expectations and achieved success on her own terms, becoming the first female president of the American Federation of Actors and winning many other honors usually bestowed on men. Dedicated to social justice, she advocated for African Americans in the entertainment industry and cultivated friendships with leading black activists and performers. Tucker was also one of the most generous philanthropists in show business, raising over four million dollars for the religious and racial causes she held dear.
Contents:
Breaking with tradition -- Finding a place in the city -- Acceptance as a rising star -- The hazards of becoming a jazz queen -- Everybody's mama -- Grasping for recognition -- The value of devotion -- Sophie Tucker for president.
ISBN:
9781477312360
Availability | |||
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Call Number | Location | Shelf Location | Status |
BIOGRAPHY Tucker, Sophie | Main (Downtown) | Third Level, Biography | In |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 225-264) and index.