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Where Did You Get That Woman?
| Length: | 28 min |
| Released: | 1994 |
| Ages: |
High School College Adult |
Buy Online Streaming
This engaging portrait of a 77-year-old African-American washroom attendant stands as a piece of social history. Richly illustrated with archival photographs, it documents the odyssey of Joan Williams from an Oklahoma farm to the wartime factories of Chicago. Not ready to retire to the loneliness of senior citizens' housing, she has forged a new career in the powder room of one of Chicago's night spots.
A spirited, enterprising woman who has rebounded from life's hard knocks, Ms. Williams takes pride in her profession. She provides towels and lotions at her own expense, as well as a sympathetic ear for the romantic misadventures of the women who freshen up in her domain. Her employer pays only her cab fare, and her clients hopefully leave tips. However, her real payoff is "being in showbusiness."
With archival photographs and blues music, Where Did You Get That Woman? represents the shared experience of a generation of African-American women during the Great Migration north.
An exhibition print is available.
A spirited, enterprising woman who has rebounded from life's hard knocks, Ms. Williams takes pride in her profession. She provides towels and lotions at her own expense, as well as a sympathetic ear for the romantic misadventures of the women who freshen up in her domain. Her employer pays only her cab fare, and her clients hopefully leave tips. However, her real payoff is "being in showbusiness."
With archival photographs and blues music, Where Did You Get That Woman? represents the shared experience of a generation of African-American women during the Great Migration north.
An exhibition print is available.
"This magnetizing reminiscence and touching commentary on human life and spirit offers memorable viewing." - Booklist
"Provides a fine visual and aural record of black rural history during the early part of the century." - Wilson Library Bulletin
"Beautiful and deeply moving, yet funny portrait of loneliness and feistiness. " - Studs Terkel
"Provides a fine visual and aural record of black rural history during the early part of the century." - Wilson Library Bulletin
"Beautiful and deeply moving, yet funny portrait of loneliness and feistiness. " - Studs Terkel
Blue Ribbon, American Film Festival, 1983
Certificate of Special Merit, Academy Awards, 1984
Best Social Sciences Film, Birmingham Int'l Film Fest., 1983
Margaret Mead Film Festival, 1983
Cinema du Reel, 1984
Certificate of Special Merit, Academy Awards, 1984
Best Social Sciences Film, Birmingham Int'l Film Fest., 1983
Margaret Mead Film Festival, 1983
Cinema du Reel, 1984
