Vintage Black Glamour

Eartha Kitt and James Edwards in a scene from 1958’s “Anna Lucasta.” Ms. Kitt was not only the star of the film, she and Sammy Davis, Jr. had financial participation. James Edwards was the handsome, 6’2” former professional boxer who was supposed to be Hollywood’s first true Black heartthrob. According to film historian Donald Bogle, along with promising work in films like “Home of the Brave” and “The Manchurian Candidate” (he also appeared opposite Dorothy Dandridge in her screen test for Carmen Jones in 1954) Edwards was signed for a short time as a writer at Universal-International studios and wrote several stage plays. Instead of becoming the big star many had hoped he would be, Edwards career suffered because of his temper, heavy drinking and a career-crushing rumor involving an alleged argument with his White girlfriend at a Hollywood party. He was also a very proud man who was not one to “know his place.” Ossie Davis said of him, “Jim Edwards was not prepared to compromise or duck - to make that adjustment that would make white folks comfortable. Not at all.” Edwards died at the age of 51 in 1970.