"In playing the part of Mammy, I tried to make her a living, breathing character, the way she appeared to me in the book"

Hattie McDaniel's quote speaks to her commitment to properly portraying the character of Mammy in the 1939 movie adaptation of Gone with the Wind. McDaniel was the very first African American to win an Academy Award for her performance in the film. She was identified to bring the character of Mammy to life in a way that was true to the character as she appeared in the book. McDaniel wished to make sure that Mammy was portrayed as a real individual with her own unique character and motivations. She wished to ensure that the audience could connect to Mammy and understand her struggles and victories. McDaniel's dedication to her craft and her commitment to accurately depicting the character of Mammy is a testament to her skill and her passion for her work.