Emily Santos

Emily Santos was one of the most beautiful showgirls, chorus girls, and models in the late 1930s and 1940s during the Golden Era of Harlem. She was a tall beauty who had poise, class, and allure that was so noticeable even in extra parts in the Black Cinema films she appeared in. Her beauty always got her mentioned in the black newspapers of the time and like most beauties, her beauty got her into movies. She appeared in 3 race films, the first being "Keep Punching" she was one of the beauty contestant in a beauty contest in the nightclub scene, she was the first beauty who alluring looks into the camera and turns and looks over her shoulder, the second film "Sunday Sinners," Emily was an noticeable extra in different scenes and she also was one of the chorus girls in a dance number, the third film "Murder on Lenox Avenue," Emily finally got a real part, a part with more to do, in the film she showed she was more then just a gorgeous face, she played a nose in the air, sort of snooty, wanna be more then what she was showgirl and in the role she also showed comedic flair. "Murder on Lenox Avenue" was surprisingly her last film. Since there wasn't much movie work for black actresses in Hollywood, especially ones who didn't fit the stereotypical image, Emily wouldn't have had much of a chance, but through race films she was able to display her beauty and her acting abilities for the world.