HATTIE The Life of Hattie McDaniel<i> by Carlton Jackson (Madison Books, 4720 Boston Way,Lanham, Md. 20706: $18.95; 221 pp.) </i>

Best known as Scarlett O’Hara’s mammy in “Gone With the Wind,” Hattie McDaniel played in about 300 films. It was not until after she received the Academy Award--the first black person ever to win the honor--that she was automatically given screen credits, although she was at the time no newcomer to the screen; her previous appearances had included “The Blonde Venus” and “I’m No Angel.” “Hattie” draws on the actress’ personal papers to tell the story of her life and career. A detailed chapter on the filming of “Gone With the Wind” gives insight into her professional relationships with fellow cast members Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh and Butterfly McQueen.

McDaniel’s portrayal of stereotypical black roles earned her the criticism of Walter White, executive secretary of the NAACP. A performer from age 15, the first black woman to sing on radio and among the first to appear regularly on television, McDaniel was proud of the advances she had made in her career, and deeply resented White’s accusations. A chapter detailing this feud--”The Crusade Against ‘Mammyism’ “--gives insight into the inner workings of Hollywood negotiations, and airs the contemporary arguments on the role of film in promoting or combatting racial stereotypes; it is interesting to see how little has changed.