Dorothy Dandridge
...nts improved, the two girls became known as The Wonder Sisters. Soon after, they moved to Nashville to pursue their childhood careers. Upon moving, they were signed with the National Baptist Convention to tour churches throughout the Southern states. They toured for three years. The Great Depression had a deep impact on The Wonder Children's success. Ruby was planning their next endeavor and moved her family, along with her girlfriend to Hollywood. She enrolled Dorothy and Vivian into a dance school. The two girls made friends with Etta James and formed a trio. The trio became known as the Dandridge Sisters. They landed their big break in an unaccredited cameo in the film The Big Broadcast of 1936. Other small roles followed until 1938. In 1938, their manager booked them at The Cotton Club in New York City. Geneva, Ruby's girlfriend moved with Dorothy, Vivian, and Etta to New York to pursue their careers in dance. Their mother, Ruby, remained in Hollywood to pursue her acting career. In New York, the Dandridge Sisters became a success at The Cotton Club. While performing at The Cotton Club, Dorothy met Harold Nicholas of the Nicholas Brothers. They began dating shortly after their first encounter. Because of their success at The Cotton Club, they toured Europe. Their tour was cut short because of World War II. The girls returned to Hollywood, where the group broke up because Dorothy wanted to pursue a solo career. Throughout the years, Dorothy landed small roles, but she refused to portray stereotypical roles such as maids. During her career, she married Harold and became the perfect house wife. Harold was not an ideal husband for Dorothy. Dorothy thought that after the birth of their daughter, Lynn (who was born mentally retarded), that Harold would stop cheating, but this was to no avail. They divorced in 1949. In 1949, Dorothy tried to re-establish her acting career and she began to work with Phil Moore, and arranger she had worked with in The Dandridge Sisters. He helped Dorothy book some acts in night clubs in Las Vegas. Her shows were a hit, but she hated working in Nevada because of they treated her badly because she was black. Dorothy became known as the first black woman to perform at the Waldorf Astoria. Non-traditional black roles started to come in for Dorothy. MGM made and all black drama called Bright Road. This was film was based on a short story by Mary Elizabeth that dealt with teacher's experiences in Alabama. She co-starred with Harry Belafonte. Dorothy had the chance to work with Belafonte once more in the role that made her a star....