The Beulah TV Show from 1952, "Donnie and the Dogs" starring Hattie McDaniel, Season 2, Ep18, F498

A rare 16mm TV syndicate print of an episode of the American CBS TV sitcom "The Beulah" show from 1952. Originally starring Ethel Waters (1950-51), then Louise Beavers (1952), then in the summer of 1952 the legendary Hattie McDaniel took over (she won an Oscar for her performance as 'Mammy' in Gone with the Wind). Sadly, Hattie died later the next year of breast cancer. Indeed, Hattie was only able to complete six shows before falling too ill to continue and Louise Beavers then stood into the role again (1952-53). I understand that the full set of 35mm prints for the three seasons survive (vaulted archive etc), but there is a very limited number of 16mm prints around, and this is one of them, and particularly rare as it is one of the six episodes with Hattie in it.

This episode is called "Donnie and the Dogs", and was first aired on the 29th July 1952.


Source: http://ctva.biz/US/Comedy/Beulah.htm Thanks to TVonthePorch for providing the source of this information.


Of course the comedy was quite controversial for its portrayal of Black Americans at the time (not least on occasion with the cast who at times had to fight with writers to avoid the more degrading cliches requested of them), but it was also the first American network sitcom to have a Black female lead...an important, if not belated milestone in light entertainment.


Whatever your point of view regarding this 70 year old sitcom...there is no doubt how much talent is on show. I am grateful to have seen it.