A limited series on the life and legendary career of Lena Horne is currently in the works at Showtime. It will be penned and executive produced by Horne's granddaughter and TV writer, Jenny Lumet.
According to S&A, Blackbird: Lena Horne and America will cover Horne's extraordinairy life from "dancing at the Cotton Club at age 16, through World War II and stardom of the MGM years, McCarthyism, the Civil Rights Movement and her triumphant return to Broadway." The film will also examine her relationships with some music, film and sports most fascinating icons including Paul Roberson, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Joe Louis, Billie Holiday, Hattie McDaniel, Ava Gardner and Orson Welles.
"Bringing my grandmother's story to the screen required a multi-generational effort," said Lumet. "Grandma passed her stories to my mother, who now passes them to me, so I may pass them to the children of our family. Lena's story is so intimate and at the same time, its the story of America - America at its most honest, most musical, most tragic and most joyous. It's crucial now. Especially now. She was the love o my life."
Listen to Ms. Horne performing one of my personal favorites, "FLY" from her Broadway album Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music:
