This week’s entry is another post in honor of Josephine Baker, who was born this week in 1906.

I previously mentioned a BBC documentary that will let you find out more about the legendary performer, but for me, as a youth, my first exposure to the impact of her life and world (including that beyond the world of entertainment) was captured in the 1991 biopic made for HBO. Lynne Whitfield stars as the icon who escaped abject poverty in the racially-charged South to become the toast of Paris.

Here are the opening credits for the film:

Granted I have not seen it in a while, so I am not sure how well it plays in a contemporary context. But I think this is a good entree into learning more about Ms. Baker.

Be sure to check out other films selected as overlooked on Todd Mason’s blog, Sweet Freedom.