Editor, writer, flâneuse. Latest book: "Soundies and the Changing Image of Black Americans on Screen: One Dime at a Time." On Twitter & IG @soundiesbook
New York City
Joined March 2009
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My fave in the #meretoppenheim show opening this Sunday @MuseumModernArt: “X-Ray of M.O.’s Skull” (1964/1981). With the necklaces, rings & earrings that were essential to her persona, even as a skeleton. My @WSJ story from the show's Swiss debut: on.wsj.com/3W5wfPM #art
Opening 10/30 @artbma, "A Movement in Every Direction: Legacies of the Great Migration" presents 12 contemporary Black artists' creative meditations on their families' histories & more. Here, a work by Jamea Richmond-Edwards. My @WSJ story: on.wsj.com/3yXrIoh #blackartist
David Hammons, "Untitled Reed Fetish (Flight Fantasy)," 1978. In "Just Above Midtown: Changing Spaces," the long-awaited show on the pioneering Black-artist-focused gallery, opening Sunday @MuseumModernArt. Kudos to the artists, founder Linda Goode Bryant & MoMA's T. Jean Lax.
So where did John Singer Sargent go for a break from all the portrait-painting? "Sargent and Spain" traces his 7 sojourns there. Opening Sunday @ngadc. Here, "Pomegranates, Majorca," 1908. Perfect for Jewish New Year, too. Shana Tova. My @WSJ story: on.wsj.com/3DTQV6x #art
Back again on @tcm! With favorite Soundies like "Hot Chocolate (Cottontail)," shown here, "Swing for Sale" & more. @davekarger and I open tomorrow evening 9/21 at 8 p.m. ET. Then back at 9:30 or so, closing around 11:30 ET with that Soundies gem, "When Hitler Kicks the Bucket."
Soundies tomorrow night on @tcm! See Whitey's Lindy Hoppers in action w/ Duke Ellington & His Orchestra. I'll be talking Soundies with @davekarger--swing music & dance, big bands & more. We kick off at 8 p.m. ET, then back with more around 9:30 and 11:30. @sdelson #soundies #film
Hope you can join us tonight for 3 sets of Soundies programs--"Before They Were Stars," "Battle of the Band Leaders," and "Country Classics." @tcm @davekarger #soundies #1940s #film #bigbandswing
Tomorrow night! Join @tcm host Dave Karger and me for “Introducing the Soundies,” an evening of three-minute gems and related classic movies—including Dorothy Dandridge in the Soundie “Cow Cow Boogie,” airing in our first Soundies set at 9:30 p.m. Eastern time. @soundiesbook
Thanks for the shout about the TCM programs! And to @iupress for publishing the book.
There is so much happening this month to be excited about! @sdelson will preview a selection of Soundies with @tcm on 9/7 beginning at 9:30 p.m. (EST).
Never fear, if you can't make it next week, she'll be back 9/21! More info on the events here:
tcm.com/articles/Programming…
#readUP
Kudos to Doris Berger + @rhea_combs for "Regeneration" @AcademyMuseum. @WSJ calls the exhibition “a potent corrective to our notions of American film history, amplifying our understanding and appreciation of black performers and filmmakers, both in and out of Hollywood." Brava!
Excited to co-present @tcm's terrific selection of Soundies next Wednesday evening 9/7. Starring Dorothy Dandridge, Cab Calloway, Liberace, Doris Day, and many more. First program @ 9:30, after an 8 p.m. documentary on Soundies. #1940s #film #music #musicfilm #TCM #watchparty
One week from tonight! On @tcm on 9/7, join @davekarger and me for Soundies & classic film. Catch “Soundies—Before They Were Stars” @ 9:30 ET, “Battle of the Bands—Part One” @ 11:30 ET, and “Country Classics” @ 1:30 a.m. ET. Here, “Cabin in the Sky” (1943), from the 9/21 program.
Thanks for the shout, @MAAHStoneBook. Proud to be part of this prestigious shortlist. @MAAHMuseum @iupress @soundiesbook #soundies #BlackHistory #blackfilm #blackfilmhistory
#MAAHStoneShortList2022 Susan Delson takes a deeper look at these fascinating films ("soundies") from the 1940s, focusing on the role of Black performers in this little-known genre. Part I, The Introduction. @sdelson @iupress
As background extras they were never credited, but Vivian and Hibby Brown added sparkle to NY-produced Soundies. I write about them in "Soundies and the Changing Image of Black Americans on Screen." But for now, save the date! @tcm @davekarger #soundiesbook #twinsduo #blackfilm
Another Soundies GIF from @TCM, where @davekarger and I will present 2 evenings of Soundies on 9/7 & 9/21. Here, Hibby and Vivian Brown, background extras in many NY Soundies, in "Swing for Sale" airing 9/21. More info: susandelson.com #soundies #twins #twinsisters #film
Soundies on Turner Classic Movies! So excited to be part of this presentation. Mark your calendar for 2 Wednesday evenings, Sept. 7 & 21. More details at susandelson.com. @tcm @davekarger #blackfilm #blackmusic #blackdance #1940s
Save the date! Soundies are coming to @tcm, and I'll be there with them. On 9/7 and 9/21, @davekarger and I present 3 programs each night. Here, Marie Bryant & Paul White in the 1941 Soundie "Bli-Blip,' screening 9/21. More info: susandelson.com. #soundies #film #1940s
Great to see the Soundies book on this distinguished shortlist. I've read and appreciated titles on this list, and am honored for my book to be included among them. @MAAHStoneBook @MAAHMuseum #maahstone2022shortlist #africanamericanhistory #americanhistory
Excited to report that my book, "Soundies and the Changing Image of Black Americans on Screen: One Dime at a Time" made the 2022 @MAAHStoneBook shortlist. Honored to be among these 16 outstanding titles. @MAAHMuseum #maahstone2022shortlist #africanamericanhistory #americanhistory
“Power dressing” wasn't a catchphrase in colonial Spanish America, but it was a familiar concept. @BlantonMuseum, “Painted Cloth: Fashion and Ritual in Colonial Latin America” looks at fashion, the self, and the sacred. My @WSJ story: on.wsj.com/3RBfCcp
ALT Detail of "Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple," 18th century, artist unknown, on view at the Blanton Museum in Austin, TX.
A major achievement for all involved. Can't wait to see the exhibition.
Congratulations to @RheaCombs and #DorisBerger on the catalog for their upcoming exhibition"Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971," opening next month @AcademyMuseum. With essays by @sholalynch, @profjstewart & other essential writers, it’s a major contribution to the field.
Rents were cheap, lofts were big, and Manhattan was raw material. @TheJewishMuseum, “New York: 1962-1964” surveys the art of a city on the upswing. Here, Claes Oldenburg’s “Braselette,” 1961, for sale in his Lower East Side storefront. My @WSJ story: on.wsj.com/3ALjUrL
Tomorrow night I'll be @MayslesCinema for the final program in the "Home to Harlem" series curated by Ina Archer and Emily Apter--including the incomparable Nina Mae McKinney in "The Black Network." Join us for screening & conversation @ 7:30. #blackfilm #Harlem #soundiesbook
A terrific submissions list this year. Looking forward to the award announcement in October.
28/111 In the 40s, folks at bars & restaurants gathered around a movie machine to watch 3-min films called Soundies, precursors to today's music videos. @sdelson takes a deep look at these films focusing on the role of Black performers in this little-known genre. #MAAHStoneAtoZ
This screening will be fun! A book-signing too, for "Soundies and the Changing Image of Black Americans on Screen: One Dime at a Time." @FilmForumNYC #PrideMonth2022 #1940s #WorldWar2 #glamour
Got your tickets yet? This Monday 6/20, 6:30 p.m., I’ll be at Film Forum with “Glamour, Gender, & A Little More Libido,” showing Soundies that play with and push back on all sorts of expectations, with some ruffles and sequins thrown in. Info and tix: bit.ly/3QvSnQy
