Ship's Reporter Interview: Josephine Baker

Interviewed by Jack Mangan aboard the SS Liberte, October 3, 1950.

[@caseykunz7800]

You can tell that reporter has such reverence and appreciation for her....

[@bluesrping]

She had the best smile

[@kamaratee5462]

I love the way the used to speak during the early 1900. I feel like I’m watching a movie

[@shany3287]

It is crazy how the English language in the United States changed so drastically!!?

[@thesaturnsound]

It’s called the trans Atlantic or mid Atlantic accent

[@grammaticalchainsaw7318]

@@shany3287 they did not actually speak with that accent its a made up one

[@grammaticalchainsaw7318]

They did not speak like that in real life, its made up for the sake of television although by the 1950s people wanted more realism and it was no longer required and thereafter it fell off…

[@grammaticalchainsaw7318]

@@thesaturnsound yep

[@elaineclarke5576]

Good interview. Ms Baker seemed to enjoy it. She was very modest considering all she'd achieved. Josephine Baker was a great and inspirational goddess.

[@aminahshabazz8689]

What an alluring gaze she has, only having eye contact when necessary! 😘

[@LindseyWoolsey]

Yess noticed also. 🤗

[@lauriel.4667]

Honestly, he was so close, eye contact would have been a bit weird and/or uncomfortable 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@dangelicious1546]

Wow she was soooo charming…. No wonder the people adored her. One interview and I’m so enthralled by her….

[@cittaromap4163]

Thank you for this rare interview. So humble so cute and adorable just simply Josephine . Just the way I remember her 46 years ago. I had the immense privilege and the honor to have worked with Miss Baker in 1975 @ Bobino. I was the youngest dancer in the cast . The show was called “ Josephine “ It was based on her life story celebrating her 50 years in show business from her humble beginning in St Louis to her triumphant comeback in Monte Carlo ....She used to call me “ her little page “ (Son petit page )cause of my age ! I just turned 18 th on April 1st 1975. luckily for me I have tons of memorable pics from the show as well as unforgettable stories of this short but amazing Run . ! She was extremely engaged with all of the dancers like a second mother . Wanting to know everyone ‘s names Josephine really truly care about people She was a true legend immensely talented beautiful ,elegant ,generous , humble & kind . She would bring oranges for the entire company saying “ My children you need lots Vit C for strength and energy “ She was so right cause the rehearsals were long and grueling ,,,. Bobino ‘s stage was too small to accommodate a cast of 8 boys 12 girls 3 comedians 1 little girl (who played young josephine ) and 1 gorgeous dancer who performed the famous banana dance ....so they had to transformed the stage by expanding it ; including putting additional seats in the theater and building brand new dressing rooms to accommodate such a big cast all while we were practicing in the lobby of The theater. ! It was bit chaotic to say the list & quite cold being mid -February But no one seemed to care cause it was so exciting to be part of this legendary show ! None of the big Paris music ‘halls like Le Casino de Paris ,Le Moulin Rouge or les Folies Bergére wanted to take the risk producing Miss baker mostly for insurance purposes There were already rumors circulating of her failing health but finally a small theater on Paris left bank called Bobino took a chance ...Josephine liked to rehearsed late at night after we were done .She even enjoyed having her favorite dish Spaghetti bolognese around 1 am at a restaurant right across the theater. I will never forget the 1 st time I saw her performing once the stage was finally ready. That night She was in the audience watching us dancing with huge smile on her face applauding many times throughout being so proud of the cast. After all she was watching part of her whole life story in front of her eyes. ... In fact during the promotion of the show a French journalist asked her. “ How does it feel to be the starring in a musical retrospective of your own life story ? She replied “ it’s wonderful ..At least i will get to see what they think of me when I am still around !!!! I When we were done the director Andre levasseur said “ josephine c ‘ est a vous “ she jumped on stage and belt a song from the Brazilian number called” Que c‘est bon de vivre” She seemed to be completely possessed by the rhythm of the Afro Cuban sound very reminiscing of “Princess Tam-Tam “ all those years earlier Her moves were so unbelievable. Her body was in perfect shape specially in her Chanel suit !!!! There is No way you would have guessed that this beautiful lady was in her late 60 ‘s. A goddess still !!!! What thrill for me. A true MASTER CLASS ,,,,,,, ❤️ . We rehearsed the show for about 1 month and half . We actually did more than 4 performances. We started with one week of previews on March 25 th with a special Press night on march 31 st to glorious reviews ! We had another full week of performances with a big opening gala on April 8 th with stars like Grace Kelly Sophia Loren & Alain Delon among many however neither Jackie ‘O ,Diana Ross Shirley bassey or Liza Minelli ever attended any of performances . We had another show on the 9 th . She felt into a coma the 10 th and past in the early hours on the 12 th. We were invited VIP at her funeral ..Miss Baker had full military honor at la Madeleine church She reposes at the cemetery of Monaco. I went recently to pay my respects 46 years later. Josephine paved the way for Diana Ross Madonna Beyoncé and many other artists. A true legend. Unparalleled. ❤️❤️❤️.check Photo of Bobino with La Baker et moi. Just Type. . “Josephine and me Bobino 1975 Cittaroma P “. Enjoy

[@bettybelete4874]

this is such a beautiful story! i have loved josephine since i was 14 and it’s always exciting to hear first hand accounts of her. have you read the book about her written by jean-claude? also i tried looking for the image online and i couldn’t find it

[@cittaromap4163]

@@bettybelete4874 Hello Betty thanks for the gracious reply. I knew JC Baker very well. He own a restaurant in NYC called “ Chez Josephine “ who is still operated. I am actually in his book in the Bobino chapter I do mention the oranges story . To see my clip with many pics of Miss Baker and me. Just type. “ Josephine Baker and me Cittaroma P “. Thanks again. Enjoy 🕺💃🍌😘

[@louisatoland2383]

Ah gosh thank you for this beautiful detailed story of your life and experience dancing, with this gorgeous woman😍💃🎶 i just discovered her properly on sunday. Whoh she really was magnetic, so nice to hear she was humble and kind too🤗 i am learning astrology i will look at her chart and maybe check out any autobiographys. I know little about her.. Only that she was a trailblazer 💃🔥☄️

[@cittaromap4163]

@@louisatoland2383 Bonsoir Louisa Thank you so much for your kind reply. I am so glad you recently discovered “La Baker. “. Her story needs to be told again and again more than ever specially at this crucial time. She was an incredible legendary performer. Une.très Grande Dame ....De Coeur of course ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Please check on KZbin there are many clips and most importantly lots of documentaries on her . One is called Josephine Baker : “The First Black Superstar “ the other “ Josephine Baker portrait “. Many books were written on her fascinating life. Check also “the Josephine Baker Story “ a biopic produced in early 90s by HBO. And do not forget to watch my clip dancing with Miss Baker many pics of Josephine and me at Bobino. Type. “”josephine baker and me Cittaroma P “”. Enjoy. Be well. 🕺💃😘

[@louisatoland2383]

@@cittaromap4163 ah thank u, i fancy to study her, her very essence is super inspiring, and not an easy life either. Thank u for the references, i will look.. Have u read any of the books?? Blessings and love to u from windy north west Ireland x x x be well too😘

[@CameronCourts]

Bring back the transatlantic accent! Her speaking voice is as marvelous as her singing voice.

[@waynegruber9122]

Gosh I love the transatlantic accent

[@jordynsimmons1107]

It was dying during this time

[@aloweshaaa5022]

One thing I love about old videos is u see how human we used to be, real teeth , real bodies, real personalities. U forget how individual and unique ur supposed to look since plastic surgery and social media has taken over.

[@NickiOutsoldUrFave]

U do realize that surgery has been around

[@mskimthewarrior6113]

This man wouldn't turn her loose didn't want to and he looks like he has been crushing on her his whole life. She looks like back up and get your hands off me. Such a beautiful soul and woman ❤️

[@dondee8214]

If it was today he would be meetoo-ed and called a sex predator . It would be said that he made her space uncomfortable by getting too close. Notice that he has his arms around her back. She is fine with it. Man woman chemistry of human beings nothing to do with sex. Meetoo Ustoo himtoo fuckyou!

[@dondee8214]

If it was today he would be meetoo-ed and called a sex predator . It would be said that he made her space uncomfortable by getting too close. Notice that he has his arms around her back. She is fine with it. Man woman chemistry of human beings nothing to do with sex. Meetoo Ustoo himtoo fuckyou!

[@GoddessOfMagi]

Facts

[@jimgordon6629]

Wow, she has such grace and almost aristocratic bearing. It’s pathetic that he thinks that her wonderful life could have been improved by “one big break.” She was a universal star, couldn’t beat that. Obviously she was a bit irritated by her interviewer but she didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Thank goodness she didn’t beat him off, it was the best look at her I’ve ever seen!

[@educationalquoteslifewisdo3528]

An outstanding personality who died far too early. Josephine Baker captivated with her charisma, determination, willingness to perform and humanity. She was a visionary, a trailblazer who ventured into untrodden territory. Until her death, she prepared a path for other women, and of course especially for those who were discriminated against, for all to follow.

[@charleskristiansson1296]

What a lady

[@NAJErEa91]

I AM CURRENTLY STUDYING HER📝 SO INSPIRED BY HER LIFE'S WORK. SHE ONCE SAID, "I LOVE PERFORMING. I WILL PERFORM UNTIL THE DAY I DIE." 🙏💕🎶💯 GOD REST HER BEAUTIFUL GIFTED SOUL! 💃🤸‍♀️💃

[@NAJErEa91]

SHE IS EFFORTLESSLY ELEGANT! 🤩 A TRUE STAR IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD! 🌠

[@NAJErEa91]

@1:35 SONGBIRD!

[@NAJErEa91]

@2:23 I LOVE GREAT PASSIONATE INTERVIWERS! HE IS REALLY A SWEET SOUL! HE IS FLATTERING HER AND BRINGING OUT THE BEST IN HER! SUCH A SWEET SOULED MAN. ITS AMAZING WHEN U THINK OF HOW THESE PEOPLE WERE ONCE WALKING THE FACE OF THIS EARTH AND NOW EVERYONE HERE IN THIS FOOTAGE HAS NOW PASSED ON. ITS TURLY INCREDIBLE. WE MUST LEARN TO NUMBER OUR DAYS! LIFE IS BUT A VAPOR AND SUCH A PRECIOUS AND FRAGILE GIFT THAT I THANK GOD FOR EACH AND EVERY DAY! 🙏💕🎶💯

[@chiefbrody75]

Currently reading Damian Lewis's book on her. She was amazing. So beautiful, cute, courageous, talented. What a personality. I'm in love with her

[@PaulTasker]

What an amazing woman. Her story is fantastic and I have been studying her life though French texts and You Tube videos.

[@simuloremus]

Elle est tout simplement adorable ! Même si on ne parle pas sa langue, rien qu'à la voir, on sent que c'était vraiment une bonne personne. Madame Baker, vous resterez toujours dans nos coeurs.

[@michelmuller7270]

❤❤❤Joséphine baker éternelle le sourire et ses yeux plein de charme...une grande dame universelle..

[@danilang3504]

He was rather close to her but she didn't seem uncomfortable nor creeped out about it. It's like she was chatting with an old friend.

[@jackgrant9301]

Thats probably partly to get their faces in frame, but I think he is a bit creepy.

[@bobbbxxx]

He is a close talker.

[@marialeach8960]

LOL!!!!! Loved the Seinfeld show!

[@Good-Win2015]

He just wanted her)

[@butterbean3892]

She is my all out heroine, amazing woman!!

[@wisammoeali]

she is 44 years old at this interview .

[@VincentWilliams007]

Wow! She looks great.

[@mariachipande]

He is close to her. They were probably friends. I don't find it creepy, if you look into his expressions and how he talks you realize he really likes her in a respectful and lovely way

[@timdean1033]

That's exatly the truth❤️ you have analysed the situation perfectly!!

[@buffalogal9139]

I agree, she seems like someone you would enjoy knowing.

[@fu6817]

He's practically glued to her

[@mikeFolco]

My guess is that it's a camera framing restriction. These old bulky cameras take a lot of space on a boat deck.

[@VincentWilliams007]

Great quality.

[@dusanblagojevic4430]

she was a role-model to humanity ❤❤❤❤💖💖✨✨✨✨

[@garybrockwell2031]

Top lady, very talented, love watching her stuff, and she speaks lovely..resting with the Best now.... Bless.💓🇬🇧

[@deepikaartist92]

And That is how you flirt and work at the same time ...

[@kindell1]

Her smile was so pretty and pearly

[@LindseyWoolsey]

What a Delightful beautiful spirit. 💯. ❤️❤️❤️

[@secretagentpasta4830]

He needs to back up a few feet 👀👀

[@JD-yu3dk]

Lol! He’s creepy.

[@shany3287]

COVID-19 distance lol

[@monicarichardson2086]

Really!

[@VincentWilliams007]

He's in love, let it be.

[@TheMindofSuccessalah]

Right !!!!

[@dynamict4722]

I love her voice

[@ForPetesake552]

Why is this dude all up on her like that? Let the woman breathe, damn...

[@LindseyWoolsey]

She was on him nudging and all also... Josephine seemed very comfortable ❤️❤️❤️

[@mikeFolco]

A single film camera, on a boat, with a complex ambient light situation, omnipresent background noise of a busy cruise ship in a major American Port. I suppose it limits the quality shots you can get out the the venue. The film making is definitely a success.

[@VincentWilliams007]

@@LindseyWoolsey I don't see why people are freaking out because Josephine was quality woman and didn't seem to have the sexist mentality. She was a free spirit.

[@LindseyWoolsey]

@@VincentWilliams007 Yes I agree she was Certainly ahead of a lot of ppl during her time 💞 😊

[@nmo3148]

American, being fresh, when America never treated her as good as Europe.

[@BohemianRhapsody324]

WOW 😁...... Thank you for posting this video! What are treasure this is! As far as a reporter I'm going to need him to back up and give her at least 6 ft!!!

[@kimberlybusby5632]

Im still in awe of Her!

[@LugalsWorld]

I’m from St. Louis sad most people here don’t know of her.

[@Aaronbegerttt]

What a shame

[@beanfriend9534]

She is so Charming and delightful a flower 🌹 that bloomed into a incredible woman

[@sumoni]

He is probably close to her for sound quality reasons. He might need to get her voice and his closely to block out all the noises surrounding them.

[@jsamc]

Gosh she's beautiful !!

[@victorsilvester78]

She is glorious.

[@zengseng1234]

Who wouldn’t leave St. Louis for Paris? I mean...

[@ulyssesgrant2782]

Now there's a man who knows what he really wants in life.... A Black Woman!

[@richardhumphreys3264]

Ship’s reporter is a bit too physically familiar with the icon and she is a bit too gracious about preserving her physical space.

[@maxwilson4748]

Richard Humphreys Her husband is standing right behind them. Creepy reporter.

[@maryemtarek8704]

@@maxwilson4748 he did the same thing with Carson McCullers very creepy.

[@mediterraneanworld]

recording technology from over 70 years ago - likewise different concepts about personal and public space and they obviously knew each other.

[@henryquenin6580]

She was so charming.

[@janetmaury]

A REAL GORGEOUS & SWEETY LADY❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@wTrevorh]

What a lady!

[@jenniferhaynes8625]

Love the video

[@coconutorange7609]

Wtf in old days they do not respect the personal space of female entertainers but she look comfortable and had funn with him,and he was really nice ti her ,supporting,and real fan he seems liked her and really enjoyed talking to her

[@Furry67]

What a flirt she was!

[@rogerwinters9856]

She did so much doing the war and tried to help so many kids, this man is rude with his hands.

[@AaronT129]

Pioneer!

[@freeshpriincetv4882]

He said in AFRICA …. She said NOOO that took me out. That was cute. And he was telling the truth.

[@AL-eu8ro]

why he all up on her

[@jv-ep2tc]

in the US at this time she would not have been served in most establishments in the south and would have been unwelcome in the rest of the country. did she really find France and the French to be less abusive?

[@willietarkington1628]

The French treated Black people much better than the US did. I remember seeing it discussed in a documentary, and she was mentioned in it. A lot of Black Americans moved to France (if they could) in those days.

[@anyaw340]

The French WERE less abusive. For instance, during WWI, the American government threw Black American soldiers away to the French to serve under French command - which was unheard of for American soldiers. Under American command, black soldiers were relegated to menial physical labor. It was important work, but beneath what so many of them were capable of. Black soldiers thrived under French command, however, because the French didn't assume that black people were inferior, and those units thrived and became heroic. See the Harlem Hellfighters. My uncle was a Black American soldier who served under French command during WWI.

[@sarahssentongo2587]

GIVE HER SOME ROOM JESUS

[@lesliz1109]

Gorgeous ❤

[@louisatoland2383]

Creepy head move off, jes, what successful woman had to deal with.. 😬

[@chiefbrody75]

I'm in love with her lol

[@jonsmith848]

Actually this is mid 1950's

[@pandaamachine]

Creeeepy clutching dude. He’s like three inches from her face looking at her like she’s a happy meal.

[@VincentWilliams007]

Please stop...how about think about clutching and instead think that it's just human affection?

[@Aaronbegerttt]

I feel like they had a passionate affair. Lol. Just get the feeling.

[@sclogse1]

Show biz...You just wanna get off the boat...

[@dawndawn45]

BACK BACK GIVE HER 50FT!!

[@greenonions5296]

Is he trying to hug up on her or is he that chummy with everybody?

[@ooops4064]

Lol why he grab her like that

[@soneil]

She was lovely. He was seriously creepy!!!

[@joma3835]

He seems VERY creepy! 🤨😐

[@juulcat5737]

She look uncomfortable asf. Bro back up

[@KC-xg9yf]

Beautiful