Marpessa Dawn ~ the very secretive & mysterious Black Orpheus Star!

[@KarineAlourde]

Watch my Vintage Black Hollywood starlets playlist if you liked this video kzbin.info/aero/PLjQibLG11RaGyAVqWeFaGk-RqloDs2bBd

[@nietah325]

Love your content ..I'd like to see content on French beauty And Parisian secrets

[@AdrienaSamuels-g8t]

Can u do. A story. On. Cyntoia. Brown

[@AdrienaSamuels-g8t]

She. Doesnt. Look like pylicaa rashade. To. Me. Phicha rashade is. 3 shades lighter

[@SaharaColeman]

Marpessa is so beautiful and criminally underrated. I have her pic up on my wall next to Dorothy Dandridge, Pam Grier and Lena Horne. I call it Wall of Fame “Old Black Hollywood”

[@jonessathomas809]

Why not wall of queen ?

[@danavixen6274]

Lovely. Glad you included Pam Grier. For some reason, beauties Karen Alexander and Tracey Edmonds remind me of the great Marpessa. 🤔

[@ermmshister7994]

@@jonessathomas809 a play on words for walk of fame

[@dertoyer21]

sahara Coleman, i see a lot of Garcelle Bouviar in Marpoosa Dawn then i see Phylicia Rashad

[@bf1822]

Bugs me when folks say someone is underrated, such a ridiculous term...

[@lawrenao2939]

I literally freaked out when i saw the notification for this video. She’s all over my Pinterest.

[@KarineAlourde]

I’m definitely now a fan girl of hers ✨

[@Kwesi-Nimako]

Me too girl, me too! That’s where I first saw her with her husband. But it wasn’t this year though, the girls have been obsessed since!

[@AdrienaSamuels-g8t]

​@@KarineAlourde can u do. A story. On. Cyntoia. Brown

[@toughflowers5088]

Ok ,so she's the original Blasian! She's drop-dead gorgeous, wish they had more info about her life

[@cannonstreetstudios8167]

Wow...I'm so glad she had a full life. Very determined, world traveler, and smart - multi-lingual. Five kids and four grand kids and the second marriage was the one! She seemed like she was a simple, happy person. Very beautiful woman too.

[@alexiswaller3065]

She was natural beauty

[@lorenjones3491]

Omg she’s my grandmothers idol. I grew on listening to her and can speak 2 languages fluently because of her just to understand what she would say in her music

[@kjohnson8483]

any language learning tips? Im trying to learn how to speak spanish and yoruba fluently

[@angeljar2012]

That's impressive for motivation

[@estherabraham1590]

If you could give some tips, I’d be nice ! No worries, though :)

[@QuickWorksBeauty]

That happened with me and Sergio Mendes & Brasil ‘66.

[@chubbybunnie2163]

@@kjohnson8483 watch your shows in the language u want to learn

[@Fruitimami]

Orfeu Negro is my favorite film of all time. It really reminds me of growing up in rural Jamaica. Marpessa Dawn is gorgeous in the film and harmonically balanced with costar Breno Mello. The soundtrack is also beautiful! Thank you for doing this breakdown, theres only a few that gives spotlight on this sacred beauty.

[@JesekahJaeAmaniOfficial]

💞💞

[@ayd7330]

Same

[@myriamreynaud5683]

COMMENT FAIRE POUR A CHETER LE FILM ORFÉO NÉGRO

[@myriamreynaud5683]

comment puis-je procéder pour acheter le film ORFÉO NÉGRO

[@craigberg1942]

Did you watch it with English dubbing with Jamaican actors? It was well done. I speak Portuguese, so that is my preferred version, but the English dubbing is very good.

[@breakingbadgoddess]

I remember Black Orpheus playing very late at night and I happened to catch it. I was I awe of her beauty and the fact it was a black woman as the object of desire in a non stereotypical fashion. It was a breath of fresh air to see that image. One of my all time favorite actresses is Judy Pace. I would love to see a video on her.

[@bonitahobbs2374]

Truly Judy Pace, and so many more!!!

[@cherbecker3710]

OMG, my mom loved her. When i was a kid i saw her in a magazine. I always thought she looked like a barbie doll. So beautiful.

[@littlecatfeet9064]

I’ve never heard of her or Black Orpheus but she’s such a stunning and elegant natural beauty. I need to see it! So glad she had a happy marriage; of course it would have been wonderful if she’d had more career success.

[@nancybreaux9684]

It's a good movie that's how I knew about her.

[@kymmieg6110]

They have the movie on YT! It’s reallly good. She was a beautiful actress.

[@a.thomas501]

I've never heard of this lady b4. I have heard of Black Orpheus. I love old Hollywood especially the 1940' s. My granny always reminded of an old Hollywood star. Her grace and style was impeccable. I even decorated my bedroom in 1940's Hollywood decor. Everything is sheer, white, glass and silver. My granny would have loved it.

[@lisaellis2593]

@@a.thomas501 Beautiful! you have great taste.

[@EDUARDOCONG]

The music is very soothing

[@amjemison]

Most definitely go and watch the film. For black cinematography it culturally is fantastic and shines magnificently for black Americans. For me, the way the Cosby show came on when they had the tribal band music and dancing intro puts you in the mind of the era of the film. It’s golden.

[@danavixen6274]

Ooh! That was my FAVORITE version of the Cosby intro! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Ayinde65]

"Tribal" band music, what season was this? I only remember the Afro Cuban jazz intro.

[@Dominican1923]

Black Orpheus is Brazilian although she was half Black American the movie is centered around Brazil 🇧🇷 and the black people in Brazil but as worldwide African descent people we can relate in some ways I'm afro Latino

[@iamemancipate]

She was absolutely beautiful 💐 (As were all of the women in Black Orpheus, the woman who played Serafina was stunning! And of course, Mira.)

[@reimourrpower9357]

Yes! All the women especially Mira were incredibly gorgeous.

[@everybodytalkstodemons5892]

Mira was crazy lol

[@kaleahcollins4567]

Absolutely, I agree that all the women were gorgeous. The difference of shade glowing like the sun . I never understood why it was so hated by Brazilians. But then I guess it was because it showed the beauty of Afro Brazilians also showing them in a real human and positive light.

[@vpoetic]

I remember watching Black Orpheus when I was in college and I loved it. She was a very beautiful person and I was surprise that she didn't have a bigger career. I would love if you could do a breakdown of Francine Everett.

[@cuteyalexia]

I discovered her on Pinterest. She’s so beautiful. She looks as if she could pass for one of my cousins.

[@destinysade4230]

Yess she resembles my mom.

[@MeMe-ht2hd]

GIRL, YES! I love Pinterest 📌

[@teddyruxbin9300]

She was a natural beauty! Thanks for introducing me to her! 💕

[@SandraSilva-gj5kb]

Her behavior and demeanor matched her beauty. Not wearing makeup is also very courageous. She did not need anyway! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@peggystoutemorin4529]

She didn't even shave her pits. 😀

[@peggystoutemorin4529]

She didn't need makeup. Beautiful complexion. A natural beauty.

[@ricagreyhorse6102]

I remember seeing the cover She was stunning never a ton of make up she didn't need it Flat out gorgeous And so talented..her death was mysterious

[@ambriahughes2855]

She died of a heart attack and old age

[@OhHenry2024]

A very talented & stunning beauty! She has a very sweet & humble air about her. Thanks for putting her in the spotlight, she deserved so much more.

[@Pearlruby718]

I own a copy of Black Orpheus. That Movie got me into Carlos Antonio Jabem, who wrote the music score. I am very glad you did this video🙌🏼👍🏼

[@CarlyzClozet]

Oh my goodness, why have I never heard of Marpessa Dawn 🤷🏽‍♀️. What a beautiful, talented woman. I'm glad she was able to live a private life filled with love

[@stefanieperez1863]

I loved this movie, cried at the end and fell in love with the music AND the language! I identified with the main characters and felt that Marpessa Dawn was radiant. We kept the Ebony magazine featuring her on our coffee table for some time. Seeing her image on the screen as a dark little girl was gratifying. I still occasionally watch the film on KZbin.

[@PapaEli-pz8ff]

I saw Black Orpheus in 1959 as a 9 year old!Very enchanting then.. still enchanting now! The excitement, the scenery, the music..

[@lindalewis9053]

I have the movie on video. I just wish it was in English but I cherish it anyway.

[@itsW00DSWRLD]

She is so beautiful, ethereal and captivating all around! I’m glad I learned more about her. Thank you yet again 😊

[@lizzettetemple9744]

I love love the movie Black Orpheus and the actress Marpessa. I had no idea that she was American, always thought she was Brazilian. She was definitely a beauty. She reminds me of Halle Berry also. Would like to see her children if it were at all possible. Thank you for this video. So appreciated.

[@Loni91]

She looks East African, or Afro-Indian, Never would’ve guess she half Filipina just breath taking

[@errolmaloney2819]

Definitely looks afro-indian,what we call "dougla" in the Caribbean.

[@rai2423]

She looks Somali

[@sourgrape_s]

Definitely! She really does look East African esp the northern/horn parts. Heck there's even a good number of Rwandan women with very similar facial features.

[@sasha48189]

she is so be@utiful,,,@@@@

[@TheTruth7340]

We were oraginaly all over the world

[@EnlightenedFemme]

Thank you for this Karine!!! I have been curious about Ms. Marpessa for the longest time ❤️❤️❤️

[@ptlovelight2971]

Omg she stole my heart in Black Orpheus....sadly I also hadn't heard much of her since then. But she must be amazing, to amass such a following off of one core film

[@zoskalanders6742]

thank you for choosing Marpessa Dawn. It brought back the memories of the movie Black Orfeus for me. I immediately recognized her as a heroine of that movie even before you mentioned it. I saw the movie when I was in middle school back in Poland and I remember when I mentioned it at school, my male teacher was quite disturbed that my mother allowed me to see it since there were some "erotic" scenes in it. It was almost 60 years ago! She was such a beauty! Thank you again!

[@cassandralyris4918]

What a name, Dawn Butterfly, what a beauty, and what a lady! 🤩 Definitely underrated in the US. I'm so glad she found real love.

[@riverbanzachamploo9725]

My dad showed her to me. He said he had a crush on her when he was younger. And we can all see why. Before Dorothy Dandridge she was my black poster girl. That I'd look up to everyday to remind myself that I am pretty just like her.

[@reggaelove7223]

She was absolutely enchanting in Black Orpheus. Highly overlooked actress. I loved her!🇯🇲🇺🇸🇯🇲💚🖤💛

[@R.A.A.]

I really appreciate how you’re using your talented brother music in the background, I know this will fly over most viewers heads including me. And I’m a classically trained pianist for 25 years, your brother’s music so soothing I nearly missed it. Your mention in the video snuck up to me like a jump-scare 😂

[@Maderlololohio]

It gives such a unique classy vibe. Combined especially with the glamorous pictures of stars of different eras.

[@R.A.A.]

@@Maderlololohio Hey Pris, thank you. Apologies for taking 2 weeks to respond ! I just remembered I was actually writing a few interesting points about this particular subject to share it with you, suddenly got busy then lost it. What’s bizarre I remember it has something to do with our unconscious ! I was praising the brain apparently mine is unreliable LOL!

[@Maderlololohio]

@@R.A.A. no worries. I can relate to all you said. And whenever you remember do share :)

[@R.A.A.]

@@MaderlololohioGlad to know. Never mind. This is brief ‘cause I’m running out of ink ;)

[@lilpretzel5629]

I am smitten by her presence and beauty💜

[@lydiamakuto6896]

Thank you for creating this- such a gem!! This is a beautiful example of a different kind of femininity, (especially as a black woman), that is not always seen in the mainstream today.

[@zarario4444]

What? There are plenty of "feminine" Black Women in mainstream today. Beyonce being one of them. Get outside the bubble.

[@stylebyiris4302]

She is a natural beauty. ✨️

[@AppleofhisEyel6551]

Absolutely Beautiful. I have NEVER heard of her. Thank you for this beautiful gem💜

[@thetruesoulofanaquarius9302]

I remember when Quincy Jones stated in an interview some years back he use to date her. Of course I did some research because I never heard of her. Omg she is definitely one of the most underated beautiful woman ever.

[@chrystianaw8256]

Quincy was lying

[@thetruesoulofanaquarius9302]

@@chrystianaw8256 lol I think so too.

[@joyfitzgerald9878]

@@chrystianaw8256 whew!

[@kaylao.3326]

He’s lying. He only said that because he was being grilled for only dating white women

[@KenyaRandall_Jaquenette]

Marpessa reminds me of American film and television actresses, Monica Calhoun, Phylicia Rashad and singer Tracey Edmonds (Pebbles) as well as Canadian singer, model, and actress Denise Katrina Matthews, known professionally as Vanity of Vanity 6.

[@KishBish]

Tracey Edmonds is not the singer Pebbles.. Tracey is Babyface's ex-wife, and she's a producer.. but you are right, they do resemble each other.. all very beautiful women! 💗

[@gwadkarukera]

She spoke French very well!! She really master the language pour une Americaine. Vraiment impressionante.❤️

[@Catelyn7744]

I’ve never heard of her before - but she really was gorgeous and mysterious. Loved finding out about a hidden gem. Thanks for sharing. I would definitely love a movie breakdown since I’ve never seen it before.

[@tuveuxquoimonami]

Black Orpheus is one of my favourite film ever, thank you so much for mentioning it and especially her :)

[@rubychew6535]

Sharon Leal should do a biopic on her since she is of the same combo mixture. Please cover Barbara McNair.

[@danavixen6274]

Sharon Leal is criminally UNDERRATED! Loved her in Dreamgirls and Addicted! 💕

[@mizzjacquettaxx6974]

She also “why did I get married 1, 2 and soul men” .

[@jasminemurry4654]

Sharon Leak doesn’t look like her nor are they the same complexion

[@judygedmistergaines7578]

❤❤❤❤

[@kimt4565]

Thank you so much for this video on Marpessa Dawn. I never heard of her before this video. She was beautiful, talented and smart. I like that when she realized that America was not going to allow her to achieve her goals she went another country, learned the language and made her dreams come true herself. Thanks for giving me another inspirational woman to look to.

[@kensmile9433]

She was a natural beauty. I'm glad she had a long, quiet enjoyable life. Can you try to do a spotlight on the actress Ellen Holly?

[@sirharry3051]

This sistah was fine as hell and I never knew that she was this talented!! I bought Black Orpheus a couple of tines along with the sound track! I fell in love with this Sistah!!!

[@joycici3674]

Finally!! I love Marpessa Dawn. Definitely an underrated starlet.

[@tonisumblin2719]

Beautiful movie, gorgeous actress. It won many awards at the Cannes music festival.

[@Asia9898]

Bravo 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 I love her sound I listen to Bassa nova also her sound is similar and I didn't know who she was till your video I definitely going to find her music thank you

[@0nly.bhadbby40]

Bossa *

[@DearMsFabulous]

I first saw Black Orpheus. My older sister had me watch it with her and she had the album. I was in grade school and fell in love with this movie instantly. I have been telling people for 40 years to watch it. The music at the end is so beautiful and get me out my seat every time. I thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world. So happy, finally someone is talking abt Black Orpheus. Everyone should watch it. Thank you so much.

[@paulbenn4103]

She was absolutely stunning!!! and you get the eminence and grace in her performances and interviews ...just amazing💐😍😍😍

[@kymmieg6110]

Marpessa was such a gorgeous woman. I finally watch Black Orpheus on YT because I heard about but never could find where to watch it. I wish she did more films. Love natural beauties like her.

[@nicolesherman8974]

She’s so pretty ❤️❤️❤️

[@pitbullqueen07]

Hi Karine! Could you do a breakdown on Waris Dirie? She’s a model, actress, author, and human rights activist from Somalia and was a survivor of fgm. She has a book and movie about her life called desert flower. I think she’s be great to do a story on.

[@bollytwazzi]

Great idea! The movie was ok, but the book was so good!

[@mariastewart9820]

Yes,Waris is beautiful 😍

[@misst3016]

👍🏽

[@mrsmatthews5943]

*She was a Capricorn too... like Aaliyah* She also passed away on 8/25.... very mysterious.

[@Aquarian231990]

Wow

[@assianeu197]

Capricorns are really private and self controlled, that plays a lot in their charisma

[@DreamyTee123]

Capricorns are VERY captivating and enchanting Ryan destiny, Lori harvey and Nicole Murphy are a couple Capricorns to name a few

[@judygedmistergaines7578]

👑👑❤️❤️🌹🌹

[@Coco-fi4mv]

@@DreamyTee123I would replace Nicole Murphy with Sade…

[@guruuvy]

I was like ‘Marpessa Dawn?!’ Then you showed the snippet of Black Orpheus, and I was like, ‘Oh yeah! I remember her!’

[@prosquatter]

I tried finding her on a US census, but she's not listed anywhere under the name Marpessa Dawn. There's a girl her age named Gypsy Dona Bailey in her hometown of Redstone Township, Pennsylvania. I wonder if that's her.

[@dulcebartira7211]

Her birth name was Gypsy Marpessa Dawn Ménor. However she enrolled in school as Gypsy Dawn Bailey. Bailey was the name of her mother's side of the family.

[@prosquatter]

@@dulcebartira7211 yeah, I found a family tree on ancestry after posting the comment. Her maternal aunt Roberta Bailey Lewis was a successful businesswoman and Ebony magazine had a story on her on several pages. She sold hors d'oeuvres to airline companies.

[@ambriahughes2855]

Woooow I never knew this about her…… how did y’all find this about her?

[@Liz-qq5bh]

She kind of favors her aunt.

[@orafranc]

Filipino and Black is such a beautiful mix. and her gentle humbleness, adaptiveness, and mystery makes her an incredible diamond 💎🌟 i wish i would of heard of her sooner.

[@Imissyoulou]

Black and Black, is a beautiful mix also.

[@privatedonut2914]

@@Imissyoulou Yeah, obviously. Black is beautiful. No one is denying that. Don't see where they said black and black wasn't a beautiful mix. Not really sure where that came from.

[@BlackButterFlyTongue]

@@Imissyoulou period 😃

[@zarario4444]

@@Imissyoulou Stop being so sensitive. Filipino are also people of color.

[@Imissyoulou]

@@zarario4444 I don't know what people of color is. In my life time, I have been referred to as colored, Negro, Black, Afro/Africian American, now people of color. I am not falling for it. I am Black, not people of color.

[@ginastar4502]

She’s really majestic. I love the mystical aura around her. She reminds me of a mermaid

[@arorandrianarivo8741]

Indeed she is

[@ambriahughes2855]

Yesss I was just thinking about this and especially now we have Halle Bailey playing Ariel idk why I connected those two tho

[@irenedontoh9692]

She looks like a work of art. So beautiful.

[@carole2024]

Thank you for this episode on Marpessa Dawn! She is truly on of the most beautiful women ever to grace the screen. She was so intelligent, elegant and amazingly fluent in foreign languages. Her life story is remarkable. I hope someone writes a definitive biography about her. Thank you, Karine, for another great bio video.❤

[@lynzypooh80]

Anytime I come across a woman who is super private, I automatically assume they’re a Capricorn.. and I’m right again. Love that about us😊what a beauty she was💫 Edit: A minute & a half into the video & I see who Sade got her style & sultryness from. How charming they both are.

[@natalierichards5183]

I knew she was a Capricorn by the way she responded to being a star. That is the answer I would've given "I just do my job as an actress, I don't know what other people see"

[@OzanaDivine]

Capricorn woman are Magical.

[@lynzypooh80]

@@OzanaDivine aren’t we tho?!🥰

[@drgoodwell1082]

Capricorn women here on earth to tell other Women what tycoons they can be in provate

[@broughmar]

This flick was shown on PBS Channel 13 in NY in the 1970s. Not a huge fan of PBS but at that time, it was one of the few TV outlets for foreign films, a genre I've always liked. I enjoyed this film - it's exotic local, sights, sounds and this actress was very attractive.

[@broughmar]

Locale...

[@JBlingBling03]

Yes! That is how i first saw it as a kid.

[@peggystoutemorin4529]

I first saw it on Channel 13 as well.

[@cellaraine2]

Omg!!!! So happy you did this on her. I absolutely love her and wished there was so much more on her.

[@7474cv]

thank you for doing this story on marpessa dawn. black orpheus was one of the 1st black films i saw as a child. i remember watching it on a public channel station. i was enraptured with it, the music, the people that looked more like me than anything i had viewed previously. i fell in love with all of it. you brought back wonderful memories.

[@rc-darkangel774]

Thank you so much for opening this world of unsung Black women! Maybe if our younger people were more aware of the wonderful Black woman she would be respected more!!

[@QueenIs100]

That's a fact❤

[@queenerrybody]

A timeless beauty

[@purplelove3666]

You kind of look like her

[@Sydney-jt5bu]

You look beautiful similar to her

[@prettyminaj5268]

You're beautiful 💓

[@brooklynhomesteader3721]

Yes a breakdown on Black Orpheus. I fell in love with that movie at 10 years old and still remains one of my favorites.

[@betc293]

Oh I was waiting for this one👏🏼👏🏼💚💚💚

[@wendibrown8317]

I was not familiar with her ….so thank you so much for educating me. One of your best work!

[@le2800]

I totally agree with you about Island In The Sun, it was probably one of my favorite old time movies. I also loved Paris Blues. It had my two most favorite leading men of that time starring in it, and the classy Ms. Diahann Carroll. Movie stars were actually movie stars back then and even though I have never heard of Marpessa Dawn she was a very beautiful woman and it makes me curious to see if I can find this movie Black Orpheus. Thank you for all your entertaining contributions. It is great being able to learn more or have our memories freshened about some of our more famous celebrities and even those we have never heard of before. Job well done!

[@PieShiido]

Omg love her in Black Orpheus love that movie ❤️✨ thank you for this!!!

[@klarken7710]

I’ve been waiting for this one! Thank you for uploading;I’ve been a fan of Marpessa Dawn for years

[@br1aNm105]

Yassss i wanted to know more about her. Thank you queen.

[@rojosik9385]

Thanks!

[@EMC1986Hobi]

I own the Black Orpheus DVD and I never thought to research the actors in it. She was perfection.

[@kiss101love]

OMG Karine I sent you a dm about doing this breakdown IM SO EXCITED!!! 🤗💖

[@veteranbroad8802]

I never heard of her but, I enjoyed your/her story.

[@kitwanatyhimba5247]

Wooooow 😮❗️ Thank you for writing and sharing this! This film produced a few years before I was born and made an enormous impact on my life. My parents loved this film and owned the soundtrack of Black Orpheus. I was mesmerized by the music and the photos on the album cover. As a little kid, I found Marpessa stunning 😍. What I didn’t realize until watching this video was how much my older sister favored her. It wasn’t until a decade later that I saw the film, and another 15 years after first seeing it, I was able to grasp the spiritual, cultural, and political nuances, in addition to the profound meaning of this work. I am not sure I would be the person I am today, if not for this masterpiece ✨.

[@jazzyangie9294]

Very beautiful women, phylicia Rashad favors her a lot. I was actually writing this right before you said it..lol it's uncanny. I remember seeing her on that cover as a little girl, because my you save a lot of the black magazines... Love it Thank you for sharing💛

[@juliem1674]

thank you, learned about her through this video. More content on the black stars of the golden Hollywood please.

[@nnbb2763]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for this fantastic information. I would have never known about Marpressa and her accomplishments if not for your efforts. Please continue to keep up such good work. You are helping to educate a lot of people .

[@TheHomegirlHealer]

She is gorgeous and kinda favors Maia Campbell

[@mizzjacquettaxx6974]

I just thinking the same thing too!

[@freshsox7052]

Huh Maya campbell born way after her

[@Coco-fi4mv]

@@freshsox7052omg that wasn’t the point!!!!

[@evaphillips2102]

Yes Karine! Keep it up with the obscure queens!

[@Fatima-kp8hi]

Oh never hear of her but she is sooo BEAUTIFUL

[@cindychristian1700]

Such a class beauty! She just glowed on screen! Such a great star!

[@indriadrayton1132]

Black Orpheus brought my Mother and I to tears after watching it on t.v. Only saw it once and my heart still chokes on the memory....

[@deeb2000]

Thank you for showcasing Marpessa Dawn! You did a fantastic narration on her. Black Orpheus was one of my favorite movies. My first time seeing I was probably about 11 years or so. I don't know anyone personally who liked or even saw this film. It really left an impression on me. I do have the VHS as well. It could be too that I was "born" multicultural so it was easy to be drawn into foreign films even till now. Years ago I tried finding info on Dawn and the main characters of the movie but found very little. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@beverlyrhett3515]

I have the movie, Black Orpheus on DVD. In my youth, when I first saw this movie on television, I thought it was quite eerie and haunting, but intriguing. It became a favorite of mine. I also felt the two leads, Marpessa and Breeno were two very attractive people. I had no idea Marpessa was American. As far as look-a-like actresses, I actually see more of Halle Berry than Philicia Rashad. That's my opinion. I would love for you to profile her co-star, Breno M. so I can learn more about him.

[@Epaminondas371]

Interesting. Thanks. I came to the film through studying and playing the music. Stunning music and STUNNING lady.

[@darrylhayes3662]

I adored her in Black Orpheus ( only film I’ve seen her) several times many times with the sound muted bc I didn’t know the language. Nevertheless as they say a picture says a thousand words . Great 🍿 movie 🎥 in my opinion.

[@pebblesmonroe3894]

I have never heard of her she was so beautiful thank you for this!❤❤❤

[@mindconcept]

Génial !! You always do hidden gems that I love, thank you beauté ❤️❤️❤️

[@artemisnectar7]

Ty 4 postn awareness! I'm familiar with the "soundz, vybz, etc" Sounds like Samba or Bossa Nova (Stan Getz & the like) 💃🏽🎶 2 cute gyal yuh dunno 🙏🏽🌻🌻🌻

[@MsObsidianReloaded]

She is stunning, I wont deny it. Beauties like Marpessa, Lena Horne, Pam Grier and others are more palatable due to colorism, featurism and texturism in society, especially Black society.

[@kaylao.3326]

Marpessa was dark skinned, she didn’t benefit from colorism. Her skin tone is one reason why she isn’t as known as Dorothy, Pam and all those other light skinned actresses you listed. “Featurism” and “texturism” didn’t matter if you were dark skinned, especially back in those days

[@jasminemurry4654]

A black woman can’t ever be great or simply just attractive without y’all claiming it’s because of some type of “ism.” It’s frustrating to say the least

[@MsObsidianReloaded]

@@kaylao.3326 if texturism and featurism wasn't a thing in the past, why was there a thing called "passing"? Where do we get the terms "good hair"?

[@MsObsidianReloaded]

@@jasminemurry4654 I am NOT in any way implying a Black woman's success is dependent on the "isms", however, I refuse to look at those things through rose colored glasses. For example, Lupita N'yongo and Viola Davis are stellar in their beauty and talent, however, they have acknowledged the flack they've received about their skin tone and overall features...yet, they are very successful. I am dark skin, with a TWA, a little overweight but getting in shape, and with phenotypical Black facial features and that hasn't deterred my career advancement. However, I have caught the brunt of attacks about my hair, skin tone and facial features from mostly Black people and of course the racially confused and ambiguous Latinx community. For example, when I was on dating sites most of the men liking my profile or reaching out to me where mostly white men, followed by some Black men, and subsequently others (Asians and Latinx). Yes, a Black woman can be successful in any way she desire, however that doesn't negate the "isms" she will experience along the way...whether it's negative or benefits her.

[@kaylao.3326]

…Also, Marpessa didn’t have a career in the US because of colorism. She had to travel abroad and even then she had been overlooked (aside from her big role in Black Orpheus). She is one of many dark skinned black women (mixed or not) who hadn’t been appreciated in Hollywood the same way as Dorothy and the rest of them. When you look back at old Hollywood black actresses, Marpessa is probably the only one of her skin tone you would see. The rest of em was lighter than a paper bag. If her hair texture and “Eurocentric” features (I’m guessing that’s what you meant by featurism) was enough for Hollywood then there wouldve been tons of dark skinned black actresses back in those days that looked like her (soft hair and narrow nose) but there weren’t. They all look like Dorothy and Lena Horn, which is sad. And shows you how strong the colorism was back then compared to all the other “isms”

[@creativeliberdade]

I have Black Orpheus on video tape & DVD, it's a great film. Thank you so much for this video. I had no idea Marpessa Dawn was American. She comes across as a sincere, secure and grounded woman. I'm glad she found true love. This is my favourite video that you've made. My next one to watch that you've reviewed is Island In The Sun. When I first saw that film I was shocked at how honest & good it was, I'm also glad I didn't listen to the critics. Today I've finally subscribed. Keep doing what you do.

[@kimberlyannayiebonyskinner6577]

I’ve really enjoyed this iCam....the tragic Greek love story of Orpheus & Eurydice has always been my favorite. Marpessa Dawn was also a professional modern dancer for the legendary Catherine Dunham theatre troop....you’ll see a few cameo shots of her in 1958 Carmen Jones.

[@kweenliquidwatasb360]

Love her. One of my favorite movies. The Orisa Bembe Ceremony at the end of the movie gave me chills. I had to buy the remake Orfeo. THank you much for this deep dive of her life. Asé.

[@thebeasfamily]

I never heard of her wow she’s gorgeous 🤩. She’s very soft spoken ❤️

[@ivysflow]

Thank you for doing this because you are always introducing me to some great people!

[@durandparkerjr9502]

Ms. Marpessa soo beautiful & absolutely gorgeous and her skin tone is everything 😍😍❤️‍🔥, this is my first time hearing about her 🫶🏼