Lena Horne - The Incomparable Lena Horne (2004)

Elegant and iconic vocal artist and film star Lena Horne is legendary for her sultry voice, striking looks, and her talent on both screen and stage. An African-American performer who came to prominence during the civil rights movement, she was politically active, and blacklisted from Hollywood during the Red Scare. Nonetheless, her career boasts a stunning array of successes, with multiple Grammy Awards, an NAACP Springarn Award, and a Tony Award, among many others. Many of her songs have become classics of American music, including her theme song "Stormy Weather," and during WWII she became a pinup girl for countless GIs serving abroad. This documentary delves into the historical and cultural figure that is Lena Horne, telling her story through television and video clips, live performance footage, rare early photos, and scenes from her films. The latter include THE DUKE IS TOPS, her first filmic appearance, as well as her roles in musicals such as PANAMA HATTIE, and her masterpieces, CABIN IN THE SKY and STORMY WEATHER.