Nina Mae McKinney (1913-1967), known as the Black Garbo, would have been 91 yesterday. A great actress, singer, and dancer, she was the first and only glamorous sex symbol in an era when Black women were limited to maid roles. When I interviewed Lincoln Perry (Stepin Fetchit) in 1984, he told me Ms. McKinney was the most beautiful, vivacious and exciting woman in Hollywood when she starred (at age 16!!) in MGM's "Hallelujah" in 1929. After seeing her performance, she became my favorite film actress. We should all look forward to a biography of her life currently being written by a relative of the late film star. Happy Belated Birthday, Nina Mae!
