Now largely unheard of, blackface is a style of theatrical makeup that alters an actor’s appearance of race and/or gender. The style is practiced by any actor or actress who is asked to portray a character of a different skin color or gender. Film critics at The History Bluff have discovered that the blackface style was used for five of the six seasons of the hit television series Green Acres.
The actors from “Amos ‘n Andy,” pictured above, used the blackface makeup style – identified by an exaggeration of the eyes and lips.
In 1965, producer Jay Sommers created Green Acres, starring the beautiful Eva Gabor alongside Eddie Albert in the roles of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas, a couple who moved to the countryside from the big city. The show enjoyed much success in the first season, but Gabor refused to appear for a second season because Sommers would not meet her increased salary demands.
With little time to find a replacement for Gabor, Sommers had his makeup team blackface a little Jewish man, the show’s light technician, as Eva Gabor. The technician, Harim Batsva, did so well in the second season that Sommers signed him through the remaining seasons. The television audience was unaware of the change in cast because Gabor had always worn heavy makeup. The switch to Batsva was quite easy for an experienced makeup team.
Harim Batsva as Lisa Douglas
With the positive progression of America in terms of racial policies, the name blackface fell out of favor with the public in the 1960’s. Even though the makeup style itself was not wrong, it too became defunct for several decades.
Wally_Lamark
1 year ago
It's amazing what happens when those fickle actors and actresses won't come back for the next season.
TheHistoryBluff
1 year ago
Wally,
We can't agree more. In the end her departure was a good thing because Batsva took the opportunity and was able to put his kids through college with the well-deserved money he earned. His two sons are now jewelers.
Rob,
As you know we at The History Bluff are a serious bunch, and we often read our reader comments in the library. Our librarian shushed those of us on the editorial staff because we could not stifle our raucous laughter at your comment. Well done. It's readers like you who keep things funny on this site as we only cut loose on our Top Ten Lists and Caption Contests.
Rob
1 year ago
I hate to speak ill of the dead, but I have to draw a connection with this bit of historical news you've provided. The now deceased Tammy Faye (Bakker) Messner also wore extremely heavy makeup.
Do you know what they found when they took off Tammy Faye's makeup?
Jimmy Hoffa