The reason Lena Horne's movie career stalled is quite well documented and has been commented on extensively. It's because no one in power back then wanted to see a black woman in the lead in a mainstream movie. When Horne was all set to play the role of Julie in the 1950s Show Boat, the suits (Louis B. Mayer or whoever) stepped in and cast Ava Gardner instead. Gardner was acceptable (and Horne being her good friend was as diplomatic as possible about it) but Horne was perfect casting and would probably have been aces.

Stormy Weather, famous as a vehicle for Bill Robinson and Lena Horne, but to tell the truth, their love story seems somewhat slight. (Possibly because Robinson was forty years older than Horne.) However. the movie shines as a showcase of black talent of the forties, which includes Horne's "Stormy Weather," Robinson tap-dancing on the drums in "African Dance," the Nicholas Brothers in "Jumpin' Jive," and my personal favorite, Ada Brown and Fats Waller in "That Ain't Right," (followed by Waller singing and performing "Ain't Misbehavin'") Sadly, Waller died of pneumonia a few months after the film. It's also Bill Robinson's last film, and Horne's film career stalled for some reason after the film, though she did have relatively minor parts.

Far be it from me to weigh in on forum etiquette, YAMBU, but I think Knox asked you a question. I hesitate even now to say anything, but I've been noticing a sort of, erm, nonresponse mode for several years and...well, it may not show a website in the best light as it tries to maintain vital signs or at least a detectable pulse. If I'm overstepping, sorry.

I remember thinking The Man Who Wasn't There was a big nothingburger. Just kind of an empty exercise in neo-noir style. I had been looking forward to it, but felt rather disengaged when I saw it. It's been quite some time, so maybe I'll revisit it at some point.