DOES ANYONE REMEMBER "PRISSY," IN THE 1939 MOVIE "GONE WITH THE WIND?"

BIRTH NAME : THELMA(she disliked this name) McQUEEN STAGE NAME : BUTTERFLY McQUEEN(she eventually had her name changed to this officially) 8-1-1911 to 22-12-1995 Movie/Stage/Radio/TV Actress, Dancer, Singer, Pianist. Butterfly was born in Tampa, Florida, her father Wallace McQueen worked as a stevedore; her mother Mary Richardson was a housekeeper/domestic. They got married in 1911, the year of Thelmas' birth Then in 1916 Wallace decided to desert his family, it was a court decision that gave custody of the 5 year old child to her mother. Mary moved from job to job so she could support her daughter, she moved down the East Coast from Florida to New Jersey, finally settling in Harlem. In the meantime Butterfly lived in several cities before finding a seat in Augusta, Georgia. Here she lived and schooled at St, Benedicts Convent. Later she moved in with her Aunt Ida +Uncle James Richardson in Augusta, there she attended Walker Baptist Church School. Once mum had secured as a cook in Harlem, she sent for her daughter; once she arrived in New York City, she was enrolled at Public School 9, West 83rd Street. In 1924 Mary decided to move again to Babylon, Long Island, New York; where they remained until Butterfly finished High School. After High School Butterfly enrolled into The Lincoln Training School for Nursing, The Bronx. But she soon quit, distressed by the particulars of the nursing profession; she had also failed the chemistry course that went along with the training. She had worked as a childrens nurse, also employed in a factory briefly, but on the summary advice of 1 of her tutors she turned to acting. Thelmas' introduction to the theatre occurred after she had left the nursing programme. She was dancing in the Venezuela Jones Negro Youth Group, along with a membership in a dramatic club, further enhanced with a Works Progress Administration youth theatre project. The culmination of all this led to Butterflys' 1st acting opportunities. She studied dancing, music, ballet, with mentors such as : Janet Collins; Katherine Dunham; Geoffrey Holder; Venezuela Jones; Mabel Hunt; Adelaide Hall. Thelma appeared early in her career on the stage, as part of The Butterfly Ballet, in Venezuela Jones' adaptation of A Midsummer Nights Dream; which was performed at New York City College. She picked-up the nickname of Butterfly during this production, then it stayed with her for the rest of her career. Early in her career Butterfly found friends/community/equality along with more dynamic/enthralling roles. when she came to Greenwich Village; it also brought her into contact with The International Workers Order, of which Paul Robeson was a prominent member. It organised The Harlem Suitcase Theatre, to bring socially conscious theatre to the African/American audiences, throughout the Depression, led by Thompson Patterson. Butterfly was a member it is here she made her acting debut in Langston Hughes "Don't You Want To Be Free." Today the organisation and Theatre, are thought of as trailblazers of experimental community theatre. Years later in 1975, writer, director, Village Preservation supporter Barbara Kahn, cast Butterfly in her play "Gravediggers." "I came to New York just in time, to work with some of the pioneers of Off-Off-Broadway. The first play I ever did was Gravediggers, a spoof of horror movies and movie musicals co-written by me and Ray Hagen and, starring the wonderful Butterfly McQueen." Before her Brown Sugar appearance, Butterfly had been performing with the Katherine Dunham Dance Troupe Thelma made her Broadway debut on Thursday 2nd December 1937, at The Biltmore Theatre, New York, in the George Abbott production "Brown Sugar." It was a murder melodrama set amongst the African/American community of Harlem; with an all-African cast. Thelma played Lucille a maid, where she only had a single spoken line, which did not go unnoticed. New York Times critic John Anderson stated. "The extraordinary artistry of a high-stepping little dusky creature, with a piping voice who describes herself as Butterfly McQueen." Also amongst the audience was a certain talent scout named Kay Brown , who worked for David O. Selznick; it was she that saw Butterfly perform in this production, then recommended her to Selznick. The favourable review prompted Abbott to cast her further into "Brother Rat," "What A Life." When he decided to take "What A Life" on the road, Butterfly became part of his touring company. In 1938 while still working for Abbott, Butterfly auditioned for the part of "Prissy" in the movie "Gone With The Wind." At first Thelma was told she was too fat, too old, too dignified, to play the part of a slave girl half her age. Then later producer David O. Selznick reconsidered, as he preferred mature, seasoned actors/actresses. He chose Hattie McDaniel to play Scarletts' Mammy, then chose Thelma to play the maid Prissy. On the set there were misgivings, unsettled moments between production staff and acting crew. Butterfly was outspoken, when she disagreed she did not give-up without a verbal battle. There was the choice of headgear for Prissy, Butterfly would have preferred coloured ribbon in her hair, but the technical director wanted a head-wrap. As we can see on the film, the technical director won that 1. Thelma also asserted her individualism off-set as well. She joined a delegation of African/Americans who threatened to protest, if the restroom segregation was not abolished. She also spoke-out about the transport facilities : when all of the African/American actresses/actors were squeezed into a single car. But the white/European counterparts were treated liberally to limousines. The filming of "Gone With The Wind," started in January 1939, with the director George Cukor. Almost straight away Selznick disapproved of Cukors' script interpolations/interpretations, which led ultimately to Cukors resignation after 3 weeks into the job. Even so in the final version of the film much of Cukors original direction stayed. The film "Gone With The Wind," was premiered at Loews Grand Theatre, on Friday 15th December 1939, in Atlanta, Georgia. It was a segregated theatre which meant none of the African actresses/actors were allowed in to see the film. Mr. Clark Gable said he would protest and not go to the premiere, but it was Hattie McDaniel that told him as the leading man he would be expected to attend. Apparently she thanked him for his interest in his fellow thespians. Butterfly with all her setbacks and berated work, considered her part in the film her best work. The role brought Thelma instant international notoriety, along with temporary financial security. She later told film historian Malcolm Vance, thet the role of Prissy paid well. "I went through a full semester at UCLA on one days pay." As the original director of Gone With The Wind passed along the way, George Cukor resurrected a dormant project of his, a film version of Clare Booth Luces' "The Women." Butterfly played yet again Lolla the maid, she appeared in a single scene alongside Joan Crawford + Virginia Grey. Thelmas' recollection of working on this project brought back unpleasant memories, abrasions for the single scene she appeared in. Cukor used her to vent his frustrations/strain at any minor mistake caused by anyone on the set. Butterfly then returned to the New York stage as "Puck," in a 1939 production "Swingin' The Dream." An interpretation of A Midsummer Nights Dream." It premiered on Wednesday 29th November 1939. It was being shown at The Center Theatre and lasted 13 performances. During the 1940s Butterfly appeared a mix of movies which included : Affectionately Yours-1941-as a maid; Cabin In The Sky-1943-was a mammoth showcase of African/American talent of the time-Butterfly McQueen, Ethel Waters, Ruby Dandridge, Louis Armstrong, Oscar Polk, Duke Ellington/Orchestra, Hall Johnson Choir; during the filming Butterfly was at odds quite frequently with the other stars; Since You Went Away-1944-David O. Selznick film-but alas Butterflys' scene ended-up on the cutting room floor; I Dood It-1943; Mildred Pierce-1945; Flame Of The Barbary Coast-1945; Duel In The Sun-1947; Killer-Diller-1948. In 1946 Butterfly started taking liberal arts courses in Spanish, drama, dance, music. The 1950/60s were lean years for movie parts, as no films came her way. So Butterfly returned to the stage. In 1951 she produced her own 1 woman show in Carnegie Recital Hall. She also played Queen Elizabeth Victoria in the 1956 all-African production "The Worlds My Oyster." It was not a great success. This was followed by the 1957 comedy "School For Wives," which followed in the wake of the previous production. In the 1964 production "The Athenian Touch," Thelma was Ora a maid/cook; where once again Butterfly was trapped by the lack of plot/substance script material. In her next round of stage appearances the outcomes were a lot different and, far more appetising. The character "Hattie," was added to the Off-Broadway production of "Curley McDimple," expressly for Butterfly McQueen. She premiered the part on Thursday May 9th 1968. Then her own musical revue "Butterfly McQueen and Friends" which was staged on Saturday August 4th 1969. That same year she worked again with George Abbott, with "Three Men on a Horse." She played Dora Lee an elevator operator, which got very favourable reviews. The 1970s was a sparse time in the life of Butterfly McQueen, but she was saved with a cameo role in the film-flop "The Phynx-1970." She was Clarine in "Amazing Grace-1974," another cameo role. Perhaps due to her name charisma and dignified presence, she found work in musical theatre during the 1970s. She secured a part in the Broadway production of "The Wiz-1975," Butterfly presented another 1 Woman Show "Prissy In Person-1976." Butterfly McQueen was a member of the touring company that took "Showboat" on the road. She played the part of "Queenie." The picture at the beginning of this article is from that tour, 68 year old Butterfly stood on the deck, as it appeared in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at The Orpheum Theatre 1979. They also appeared at : The Coachlight Dinner Theatre, East Windsor, New Jersey on Sunday 30-9-1979. At the age of 64 in 1975, Butterfly continued with her education, where she attended various colleges/universities to catch-up with her education : (i) completed her nursing role at The Georgia Medical College (ii) gained her BA Degree in Political Science at New York City College (iii) City College LA (iv) UCLA (v) Southern Illinois University. Butterfly lived in New York City in the summer; then moved to Georgia in the winter; her neighbours knew her as "Thelma" or "Momma Mac." She liked to ride a bicycle with training wheels around the neighbourhood, she was a health food advocate. She usually lunched at the Belle Terrace Senior Centre, where she played/sang from an impressive repertoire of classical music, jazz, show tunes. In later years she adopted a public elementary school in her beloved neighbourhood of Harlem, where she patrolled the playground, picked up litter as well as looking after the children. Within her bounds of Community Service, she loved playing Santa Claus at Childrens Hospitals, where the children adored the arrival of an African female Santa, with a high-toned voice. The actress returned to the limelight in 1989, as a guest-of-honour at the celebrations that commemorated the 50th anniversary of the novel/film of "Gone With The Wind." With this Butterfly appeared in many showings of the movie; she signed autographs, also squealed Prissys' "birthin babies" line, to the great delight of all her admirers. In between her stage/film commitments Butterflys' contribution towards dramatic TV had begun. It started with the comedy Beulah-as Oriole-with 6 appearances between 1950-52. The Hallmark Hall of Fame movie "The Green Pastures-1957" where Thelma was just 1 of the cast. A guest on many talk shows which included : Mike Wallace; Virginia Graham; Mike Douglas; The Today Show. She had parts in childrens TV specials : The Seven Wishes of Joanna Peabody-1979-Butterfly played Aunt Thelma the fairy godmother; The Seven Wishes of Kevin Brundage-1979. Butterfly also appeared in the Public TV production of the film "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn-1986. Followed by the 1987 drama Our World. The actress took part in radio shows produced by Dinah Shore, Danny Kaye, Jack Benny. The radio show with Jack Benny, Butterfly walked out of, because she was tired of being cast/portrayed as a cook/maid, Thelma stated. "I would be disgracing my race. I am also tired of being looked down upon." It was also noted on Monday 31-7-1944, by columnist Leonard Lyon. "Butterfly McQueen the film actress who has been appearing on Jack Bennys' program, will not return to the show next season. Miss McQueen likes working for Benny, receives high pay and says, that her experiences with the show have been pleasant ones. She isn't returning because she refuses to play the role of maid, feeling that it is a reflection upon her race." Butterfly also supported herself when the need arose, with temporary employment, which she knew was all part of the parcel of her career path. (i) She taught at Southern Illinois University (ii) Sold toys at Macys (iii) Taxi dispatcher in The Bronx (iv) Was a companion for a white woman (v) operated a restaurant (vi) managed a theatre group (vii) Seamstress at Saks.. Much of her savings financed her 1 woman shows, they also paid for the 2 law-suits that she took out. 1968 : Butterfly won a decision with damages for unauthorised use of her photographs, in a promotion by Stone Mountain Park in Georgia. 1980 : Butterfly filed a $300,000 suit against Greyhound Bus Lines + International Security of Virginia for personal injuries/damages. The bruising/broken ribs were sustained in a scuffle that erupted, when a security guard at a Washington DC station, accused her of being a pickpocket. Butterfly had been thrown against a metal bench, which damaged/broke some of her ribs. It was not until 1984, that she got the court settlement of $60,000. Throughout everything that Butterfly had endured/suffered, community service occupied much of her time. "Community work comes first. I don't like people to call me a star. I'm not a star. I'm a community worker." She insisted. In her later years she enjoyed teaching at neighbourhood recreational centres with both your + older citizens. A tireless supporter of animal rights Butterfly became a life member of the Anti-Vivisection Society in the 1940s. She was also active in urban clean-ups/beautification projects/environmental protection. Butterfly never married; preferring the company of the Harlem residents she lived among, along with her many cats. A selfless individual who worked for racial equality along side her community. Butterflys outlook on life was summed up in her simple philosophy : Each of us is born perfect, we acquire habits of hate. The recognitions Butterfly received were : (i) being placed in The Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame-1975. (ii) Receiving an Emmy Award for The Seven Wishes of Joanne Peabody-1979. Butterflys' final feature film role was in "The Mosquito Coast-1986," with Harrison Ford. Her final appearance was in the TV movie "Polly-1989:" the Pollyanna story with an all-African/American cast. On the night of Friday 22nd December 1995, Butterfly was trying to light a kerosene lamp in her bedroom, when it malfunctioned. It blew her to the ground then started the fire in her home. The building was burnt to the ground, firefighters found Butterfly laying outside on the sidewalk, where 2nd + 3rd degree burns covered 70% of her frail body. She was taken to Augusta Regional Medical Centre, where sadly she died. A lifelong atheist she donated her body to medical science, also remembered The Freedom From Religion Foundation in her will, as she was a life member. She left the contents of her personal bank account to the group. Her personal sentiment was : "As my ancestors are free from slavery. I am free from the slavery of religion."

BUTTERFLYS BROADWAY STAGE APPEARANCES : (1.) Brown Sugar Broadway NYC Original Biltmore Theatre as Lucille(maid) Opened 2-12-1937 to 4-12-1937 4 performances (2.) What A Life Broadway NYC Original Biltmore Theatre as Mary Opened 13-4-1938 to 8-7-1939 538 performances(on August 2nd 1939 Butterfly went on the road as part of the tour company for this play. Apparently the 1st stop was Boston.) (3) Swingin' The Dream Broadway NYC Original Center Theatre as Puck Opened 29-11-1939 to 9-12-1939 12 performances (4) The Front Page Broadway NYC Revival Ethel Barrymore Theatre as Jennie replacement arrived 2-2-1970 Opened 10-5-1969 to 28-2-1970 222 performances (5) Three Men On A Horse Broadway NYC Revival Lyceum Theatre as Dora Lee Opened 16-10-1969 to 10-1-1970 100 performances (6) The Wiz Broadway NYC Majestic Theatre as Addaperle understudy to Clarice Taylor Opened 5-1-1975 to 28-1-1979 1672 performances

BUTTERFLYS OFF-BROADWAY STAGE APPEARANCES : (1) Butterfly Ballet performed at New York City College 1935 (2) Don't You Want To Be Free at Harlem Suitcase Theatre 1937-38 135 performances a record number of performances in Harlem at the time (3) The Worlds My Oyster Actors Playhouse as Queen Elizabeth Victoria Opened 31-7-1956 to 2-9-1956 (4) The Athenian Touch Jan Hus Playhouse New York Musical Original Opened/Closed 14-1-1964

BUTTERFLYS FILMOGRAPHY : (1) Gone With The Wind PG 1939 Romance/war as Prissy 3hr 44min (2) Affectionately Yours U 1941 Comedy/romance as Butterfly 1hr 28 min (3) Cabin In The Sky U 1943 Musical/drama as Lily 1hr 38min (4) I Dood It U 1943 Musical/comedy as Annette 1 hr 42 min (5) Since You Went Away U 1944 as WAC Sergeant 2hr 52 min (6) Flame Of The Barbary Coast PG 1945 Western/romance as Beulah 1hr 32 min (7) Duel In The Sun PG 1946 Western/romance as Vashti 2 hr 24 min (8) Killer-Diller U 1948 Musical/drama as Butterfly 1 hr 13 min (9) The Phynx U 1970 Comedy/music as Butterfly (10) Amazing Grace U 1974 Comedy/political drama as Clarine 1 hr 39 min (11) The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn U TV Family adventure as Blind Negress 4 hrs (12) The Mosquito Coast PG 1986 Family drama as Ma Kennynick 1hr 57 min (13) The Making Of A Legend : Gone With The Wind 1988 Documentary 2 hr 4min (14) Polly U 1989 Drama/adventure as Miss Priss 1 hr 40 min (15) Polly Coming Home U 1990 Family Musical as Miss Priss 1hr 40 min

BUTTERFLYS RADIO APPEARANCES (as far as I can tell) : (1) Jack Benny Show : Jack pretends he is going to Brazil 31-10-1943. (2) Jack Benny Show : Dennis wants raise 28-11-1943. (3) Jack Benny Show : Jack gets drivers license 5-12-1943. (4) Jack Benny Show : Dennis mother visits 12-12-1943. (5) Jack Benny Show : Jack and Mary go Christmas shopping 19-12-1943. (6) Jack Benny Show : Christmas at Jacks house 26-12-1943 (7) Jack Benny Show : Jack has pet camel 9-1-1944. (8) Jack Benny Show : From Camp Muroc 23-1-1944. (9) Jack Benny Show : From March Field 13-2-1944. (10) Jack Benny Show : guest Groucho Marx 20-2-1944. (11) Jack Benny Show : Hollywood canteen 27-2-1944. (12) Jack Benny Show : Dennis dreams he has radio programme 19-3-1944. (13) Jack Benny Show : Jack throws swimming party 26-3-1994. (14) Jack Benny Show : Split personality 21-5-1944. (15) AFRS(American Forces Radio Service) 8-2-1943 : Butterfly McQueen-Jimmie Noone-Ida James-Sister Rosetta Tharpe-Lucky Millender. (16) AFRS 12-7-1943 : Butterfly McQueen-Delta Rhythm Boys-Jimmy Lunceford. (17) AFRS 23-8-1943 : 5 Charioters-Rochester L Millander-Butterfly McQueen. (18) AFRS 26-6-1944 : Butterfly McQueen-Nat King Cole-Jimmy Lunceford. (19) AFRS 24-7-1944 : Lena Horne-Butterfly McQueen-Jimmie Lunceford. (20) AFRS 7-8-1944 : Elmer Fain-Tommy Dorsey-Butterfly McQueen. (21) AFRS 11-9-1944 : Butterfly McQueen-Count Basie Orchestra-Thelma Carpenter-Earle Warren-Jimmy Rushing. (22) The Danny Kaye Show : Court of Human Relations 25-1-1945. (23) The Danny Kaye Show : Guest Carmen Miranda. (24) The Danny Kaye Show : The wife of Oreilly 1-3-1945. (25) Amos and Andy Show : Charmaign Larue and her mother 16-10-1949 running time : 28min 59 secs. (26) Heres To Vetrans(15 min programme dedicated to the armed services) 1st song-Sioux City Sue : with Butterfly McQueen. (27) BBC RADIO 4 WOMANS HOUR 10.00 to 11.00 am. Friday 8-2-20078 : Jane Garvey talks to biographer Stephen Bourne about Butterfly McQueen.

BUTTERFLYS TELEVISION APPEARANCES : (1) Beulah TV Show Butterfly appeared 6 times. (i) Beulah : as Oriole : Series 1 Episode 1 Harrys' birthday 3-10-1950. (ii) Beulah : as Oriole : Series 1 Episode 12 Beulah meets the eel 19-12-1950. (iii) Beulah : as Oriole : Series 1 Episode 18 Beulahs southern cooking 30-1-1951. (iv) Beulah : as Oriole : Series 1 Episode 23 Bill the babysitter 6-3-1951. (v) Beulah : as Oriole : Series 1 Episode 34 Beulah and the stock market 22-5-1951. (vi) Beulah : as Oriole : Series 2 Episode 5 The camping trip 29-4-1952. (2) The Ken Murray TV Show : Series 2 Episode 11 23-12-1950. (3) The Dating Game : Butterfly appeared once in a 1969 episode (4) The Mike Douglas TV Show Butterfly appeared 7 times. (i) Episode 7.217 2nd July 1968. (ii) Episode 9.54 November 13th 1969 (iii) Episode 11.168 April 19th 1972. (iv) Episode 11.188 May 17th 1972. (v) Episode 12.94 January 11th 1973. (vi) Episode 12.121 February 19th 1973. (vii) Episode 17.222 25th August 1978. (5) Emerald City TV Show 2-10-1978. (6) Ossie and Ruby TV Show 29-4-1981. (7) Good Morning America appeared twice 8-2-1983 + 4-3-1983. (8) Our World : 1987 : The Making Of "Gone With The Wind." (9) Wogan a British TV show on the BBC : Episode 9.94 21st August 1989. see a very short clip at : youtube.com/watch?v=s6eQhsc_PqY (10) BBC 2 TV Broadcast the film "Duel in the Sun," where Butterfly McQueen plays "Vashti." : (i) Saturday 11-9-2010 at 2:25pm (ii) Thursday 24-4-2014 10.55 am

You can also watch Butterfly in 1 of her one-woman shows in 1987 at : youtube.com/watch?v=vbBRQF2AmBc

There is also a Butterfly McQueen Historical Marker number 227115. It was erected by The Augusta African American Historical Society. It lays at or near : 1324 Laney Walker Blvd., Augusta, GA 30901.

MEDIA CONCERNING MISS BUTTERFLY MCQUEEN

NEW YORK Magazine Monday 16-12-1968 Page 10 IN AND AROUND TOWN NY AREA Edited by RUTH GILBERT "Curley McDimple-in its second year, little Bayn Johnson interprets Shirley Temple to the hilt, in a swipe at Hollywood moppet movies of depression day; with Butterfly McQueen.

JET Magazine Thursday 13-3-1969 Page 63 NY Beat by BOBBIE BARBEE "Butterfly McQueen currently appearing in Broadway in Curley McDimple, has a cameo role in the Warner Bros-Seven Arts comedy film The Phynx.

NEW YORK TIMES July 28 1970 By Charlayne Hunter "Butterfly McQueen Has a Family Now."

NEW YORK Magazine Monday 11-11-1974 Page 23 MOVIES AROUND TOWN Edited by RUTH GILBERT "Amazing Grace-Moms Mabley stars as a scrappy lady who outsmarts corrupt blacks and white politicians, during the Baltimore campaign for Mayor. With Slappy White, Rosalind Cash, Moses Gunn, Stepin Fetchit, Butterfly McQueen."

JET Magazine Thursday 19-12-1974 Page 59 NY Beat by A. Peter Bailey. "Geoffrey Holder who designed the casts outfits is the new director of the musical The Wiz. The cast for the Black version of The Wizard of Oz includes Stu Gilliam, Butterfly McQueen, Clarice Taylor and Stephanie Mills as Dorothy."

JET Magazine Thursday 10-5-1979 Page 66 TELEVISION "Special Spirit" Butterfly McQueen Grants Wishes Butterfly McQueen is back as the "Special Spirit" from the Special Spirit Place, granting wishes that don't always turn out as expected in, "Seven Wishes of Kevin Brundage;" on the After School Specials Weds. 9-5-1979 4.30pm"

COURIER AND FREEMAN Potsdam NY Tuesday 11-9-1979 Page 6 "SHOWBOAT" In O'Burg. OGDENSBURG-The Ogdensburg Community Players will present "Showboat" at 8:15pm Sept. 18 in George Hall auditorium at Ogdensburg Free Academy in Ogdensburg. Tickets are available by calling 393-4470 at Franks Decorator Corner in Ogdensburg. Tickets are $8.50 for orchestra and $7.50 for balcony. Forrest Tucker will star as Captain Andy, in Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein II musical and, Butterfly McQueen will play Queenie. Showboat is presented by Gingerbread Productions.

THE JOURNAL Ogdensburg NY Wednesday 19-9-1979 Page 9 SHOWBOAT "Show Boat" Payers Delightful In Two Performances At OFA By KATHLEEN KIRSCH. "The cast of "Show Boat" starring Forrest Tucker and Butterfly McQueen, took their bows to a standing ovation Tuesday afternoon after performing a special opening show for local students."

JET Magazine Thursday 30-4-1981 Page 66 TELEVISION "Butterfly McQueen/Donald Bogle guests on "With Ossie and Ruby" Sat. 25.4.1981

JET Magazine Thursday 4-10-1982 Page 54 CELEBRITY BEAT. "IN A TRIBUTE TO BUTTERFLY MCQUEEN, Root a Black magazine published in London recalls how the actress sacrificed her career, by making a statement condemning roles that stereotyped Black people. Cast as Scarlett O' Haras devoted mammy in Gone With The Wind; Miss McQueen complained that the role reduced her to a stupid little slave. I'd do anything they asked but I wouldn't let Scarlett slap me and, I wouldn't eat watermelon. I was very sensitive about that. Of course thinking about it now, I probably could of had fun just eating the watermelon and spitting out the pips, while everyone went by ." She mused.

THE WASHINGTON POST "THE RELUCTANT BUTTERFLY" By Art Harris March 13 1989

NEW YORK TIMES Saturday 23-12-1995 "Butterfly McQueen Dies at 84; Played Scarlett O' Haras Maid." BY LIZETTE ALVAREZ

LOS ANGELES TIMES Dec 23 1995 12am PT Movies "Actress Butterfly McQueen Is Killed in Fiery Accident."

TAMPA BAY TIMES Saturday 23-12-1995 "Actor who played "Gone With The Wind" maid Prissy

JET Magazine Thursday 15-1-1996 Page 60 ENTERTAINMENT "Butterfly McQueen 84, "Gone With The Wind" Actress Dies From Burns."

VOGUE Magazine CULTURE Saluting Butterfly McQueen Who Paved the Way By LYNN YAEGER JAN 7 2017

THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE 10.7.2019 Theatre & Arts "Imperial film series brings to mind Butterfly McQueen." Don Rhodes Columnist. (((a lengthy piece on the unexpected arrival of Butterfly McQueen at the 50th anniversary celebrations of Gone With The Wind.))) read it s full length at : eu.augustachronicle.com/story/entertainment/columns/2019/07/10/rambli...

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