Ghost was directed by Directed by Jerry Zucker and released in 1990. The film is about the murder of Sam Wheat, who’s love for his partner enables him to remain as a ghost on earth. However, in his ghost form he cannot be seem or heard, Sam is only able to communicate to his loved one (Molly) through Oda Mae Brown, a psychic played by Whoopie Goldberg. It is the character of Oda Mae that I will use in the comparison. Whoopie Goldberg was the second Black actress to win an Oscar for best supporting actress, some 51 years later.
The characters played by Hattie McDaniel and Whoopie Goldberg have many similarities and differences. Subsequent to studying the two films it is clear to see the progress and changing representation of the Afro-Americans. In gone with the wind, there are several tracking shots of Scarlet, with Mammy scurrying on behind. The camera follows Scarlet, Mammy has to join. It is also notable that, when in shot, Mammy, despite having a large build, fills little of the screen. This reflects the way Afro-Americans were seen at the time, with much lower status than white Americans. Seen as unimportant and insignificant.
During a street scene Mammy is seen clearing the way for Scarlet, shoving free black men out of her way. She has a look of disgust, showing that she does not approve of the idea of free black American’s. She is happy with the way things are, and is perhaps afraid of change. This time, Mammy leads the way and scarlet follows behind on the cleared path. This contrasts with a street scene from ghost. In the scene Oda Mae and Sam are walking side by side. Whoopie takes confident strides, revealing her assertive personality. As they enter the bank, it is obvious Oda Mae is out of place, she is they only black person present and dressed in vivid costume. Sticking out like a sore thumb as an uneducated black woman in the white business world.
Throughout the bank scenes Sam has to feed her lines and correct her on several occasions. Oda Mae, although being confident, acts uneasy and jumpy in this unfamiliar situation. When approached by a guard, she does not know how to act, and makes jokes. The guard assumes a defensive stance, arms folded and rudely asks what Oda Mae wants. This is not how a guard would be expected to act to a White female, he is confused and unsure of Oda Mae. When she explains she is friends with ………. He drops his arms and alters his attitude, now thinking she could be important. In these scenes Whoopie is the focus, where as Mammy was always more of an extra in the shot. Mammy was not allowed in the prison or shop, where as Oda Mae confidentially walks into the bank. This illustrates change in the way black people were thought of in society. Another point is that Mammy is never given a proper title like Oda Mae. She was Scarlet’s Mammy and that’s how she’s known.
In Gone with the wind, it is Mammy that knows when Scarlet is doing wrong, acting as the voice of reason, even mirroring the audiences reaction of disgust as Scarlet lies to Rhett Butler. This concept is reversed in Ghost, where it is Oda Mae making the mistakes and Sam making the corrections.
