Bright Road (1953) User Reviews

The teacher

[jotix100 · 7/10 · 24 May 2006]

"Bright Road" is a film that Hollywood decided to present with an almost all black cast, something that was not done often prior to the fifties and the arrival of such stars as Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte, and the man that would make it all possible for other performers of color: Sidney Poitier! The film is based on a story by a real teacher and Gerald Mayer, the son of Louis B. Mayer, the famous head of MGM, directed with a light touch. Gerald Mayer, who had been romantically linked to the star of the film, used the right approach for this movie.

The story is simple, and yet, it speaks volumes of what a good teacher can do to inspire the young people in her charge. Jane Richards is such a person. She sees the good bottled inside C.T. Young, the rebellious poor boy that, deep inside, is a wonderful young who has had no luck with other teachers in the school, who have made him repeat two years and haven't really seen the potential in him.

Dorothy Dandridge makes a sweet, yet firm Jane Richards. She was a star that could do anything, as proved by her other films, most notably in "Carmen Jones". She was a beautiful presence in this film, who with her positive attitude changes and inspires her students. Harry Belafonte is seen as the Principal in his screen debut. Of course, the film star was Ms. Dandridge, and he had limited chances in which to show how good he was. Philip Hepburn played C.T. Young with conviction for such a small child.

"Bright Road" is a charming film thanks to Ms. Dandridge and the direction of Mr. Mayer.

Great Movie

[princecharmin107 · 8/10 · 5 January 2005]

I just seen this movie and although this can not compare to the dynamic duo performance of Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte performance in Carmen Jones, this was indeed a great family film with a powerful message. What is most important is that this movie showcases black actor and actress that are educated and didn't talk with nonsense like actors Stephen Fitchit and the ignorant Amos and Andy and Beulah Show. Dorothy and Harry really stood out in this movie, but we all know what she is remembered for.This movie dealt with real situations, even though it seems a little watered down at times , this movie is truly special and should receive a lot more recognition.This movie should be on everyone's to watch list.

A very underrated and overlooked Gem

[ecapital46 · 8/10 · 9 May 2005]

It is no coincidence this movie was written by a seasoned School Teacher. What this award-winning story essentially does - in the unusual context of a Hollywood movie - is to present an "outside-the-box" approach to dealing with the disciplinary and behavioral problems of a young male school student. By tapping into and encouraging the talents and interests of young rambunctious C.T., school teacher Ms. Richards (played by Dorothy Dandridge), is able to show how superficial negative classroom behavior can be evaluated and properly re-channeled to achieve positive results. Where the typical reaction to the student in our school system today by teachers and school administrators is to issue non-rehabilitating disciplinary action or suspension, the constructive approach demonstrated in this movie results in a "win-win" solution for all involved. Not a bad lesson for both our overcrowded and dysfunctional school and judicial systems to learn some 50 years later as they both still routinely devour the C.T.'s of the world without a care to the horrendous social cost-benefits resulting from excessive or unnecessary punitive action.

Harry Belafonte (in his first film role) also stars as the supportive school Principal. In a poignant scene beautifully worked into the story, he premieres one of his original compositions, "Suzanne."

Another film celebrating education

[SHAWFAN · 6/10 · 29 May 2012]

This film falls into that genre of movies which celebrate education and the power of great teaching to influence and develop young minds and hearts especially through the medium of the fine arts. Besides the several films which your other reviewers cited I could add How Green Was My Valley, Renaissance Man, Konrack, Mr. Holland's Opus, The Chorus, etc. In this film the arts were represented by the students' staging of Tchaikovsky's The Sleeping Beauty, just as in Renaissance Man by the Shakespeare plays, in Mr. Holland's Opus by the ensemble music they all performed together, in The Chorus by all the music the students sang together, etc.

The CT character was admirably strong. Since he was by age a 7th grader in a 4th grade class he had already reached the stage of disillusionment and could strongly insist on the non-existence of Santa Claus as well as of a god in whose image they were all supposedly made but who had failed to solve the conundrum of two different images: white and black. CT wasn't having any of that and walked out.

I discovered that this was Harry Belafonte's first movie. Indeed he seemed rather stiff in his acting and delivering his lines.

I was surprised that the segregated school the students attended was a smart looking brick building. I always imagined them as wooden shacks. Was I wrong? A jarring note in the film was the white doctor at Tanya's bedside. It implied that black people weren't smart enough to become doctors, or more likely were prevented from being so.

I found the movie a rather sugar-coated version of black life in the south, but still, all the African-American characters were treated with respect and without condescension which I found admirable.

Bright Road was an interesting initial teaming of Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte

[tavm · 7/10 · 9 August 2015]

After more than 15 years of reading about this movie from Donald Bogle's bio of Dorothy Dandridge, I finally watched this on YouTube. She plays a newbie teacher at an elementary school who has a troubled student named C.T. Young (Philip Hepburn). Her eventual co-star in the groundbreaking Carmen Jones, Harry Belafonte, debuts here as the school principal. Unlike in the latter where their singing voices are dubbed by classically trained opera singers, their natural musical voices are heard here. I found the whole thing pretty compelling though it seemed to be holding back somewhat dramatically much of the time. I did think the death of C.T.'s friend Tayna Hamilton (Barbara Ann Sanders a.k.a, Randolph) very touching. And finding out on the cast list that a fellow student named Booker T. Jones was played by Rene Beard, Our Ganger Matthew "Stymie" Beard's younger brother, was a nice surprise especially since I previously saw him in the Our Gang-inspired feature Who Killed Doc Robin? So on that note, I recommend Bright Road.

A very beautiful and positive story about a young Black boy

[arifltatem · 10/10 · 30 May 2006]

This is the most beautiful story I've ever seen about a young Black boy in America. I could definitely relate to C.T. Young, who is played by Philip Hepburn. Hepburn really captivates me to no end. I would love very much to have this movie in my collection of favorites. It's Number One. What I especially enjoy about this movie is that it takes place in a schoolhouse setting. Dorothy Dandrige plays the teacher, and she's fabulous. She is a new teacher in the district, and the attention that she gives to pupil C.T. Young is an excellent example of what a teacher should be, which is one who encourages a student, and not discourage a student. She takes her time with C.T. Young and it pays off, because Young is such a beautiful and intelligent young man. Dandride plays a teacher who gives a lot of positive reinforcement to her students. I really really really love this movie. It's a very positive movie, which is quite refreshing.

Scrubbed-clean scenario is a variation on a way of life long since passed...

[moonspinner55 · 6/10 · 4 January 2006]

Dorothy Dandridge downplays her gorgeousness as a determined young schoolteacher in the South who tries to help a struggling student; Harry Belafonte, in his film debut, plays the school principal who encourages her sincere feelings and enthusiasm (he also sings a little with his guitar). Based on Mary Elizabeth Vroman's short story, "Bright Road" is a sweet and well-meaning family film, but hardly deep or profound. It's also somewhat Anglo-ized; with 95% of the cast black, the picture surprisingly pays very little attention to race (it's the opposite of stereotyping, the scenario has been scrubbed clean). Director Gerald Mayer's tone is dreamy (some might say muted), but the kids are engaging and Dandridge exceptional. Cinematographer Alfred Gilks gets a fresh, homespun look for the picture. A minor effort that might have stood some dramatic tension, though it stays in one's memory. **1/2 from ****

Excellent Family entertainment and positive black history

[gandywilson · 10/10 · 15 April 2006]

This is an excellent family movie. It is also an excellent tool for promoting positive black history; how education was and should continue to be today. I would highly recommend that this movie be considered each February during Black History Month. It is a rare movie in which there is no other agenda except wholesome positive self-affirmation. It is also an excellent role model of an example of how teaching should occur - without damaging a child's creative abilities. To say this is an excellent film, is in my opinion, an understatement. It is an excellent slice of a gentler time; a time when a village banded together to shape the development of children. Anyone who is interested in promoting black history will find this an excellent lead in for future media communications. It receives a 10 in my view. If given the opportunity, I would readily purchase it at a reasonable price - and encourage my circle of friends to do the same.

Squeaky clean and sanitized story of black youngsters and their teachers.

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 18 January 2003]

This 69-minute drama comes from the Louis Mayer/Andy Hardy school of family drama. Even a year after Mayer's dismissal from MGM, it wreaks of his influence. Young teacher Dorothy Dandridge, a year before her sensation in "Carmen Jones", had only a minor few film roles to her credit, and this "B" drama probably seemed like a good idea at the time. However, was it irresponsible for Hollywood's biggest studio at the time to present a dramatization of the lives of young black students with none of the grit of their real lives? Of course, this was a few years before the civil rights movement really took off, so it is a step above the Stepin Fetchits and Willie Bests of eras past.

There's a lot to like in this sanitized tale of a black elementary school. Dandridge is joined here by her future "Carmen Jones" co-star Harry Belafonte who plays the principal; I pictured the same roles being played by June Allyson and Van Johnson, because that is exactly how they are written, and white child stars Dean Stockwell and Donna Cocoran as the students. I also picture such character performers as Margaret Hamilton and Sara Haden as the snooty teachers who won't give under achiever student C.T. (Philip Hepburn, obviously no relation to the other two more famous Hepburns) a chance. In other words, MGM had something really important to say regarding the education of black youth, and they simply blew it by giving them an overly white script. The young children, even C.T., speak as if they just came out of finishing schools, while Dandridge, whose character is obviously educated, is allowed to be so sweet and concerned that she just isn't believable. Even a moment of frustration over C.T.'s underachieving and the other teacher's attitudes towards him would have added some grit and reality to her character.

Taking away the racial view of the storyline, there is a lot of sweetness to be found here, from watching young C.T. overjoyed at the sight of a caterpillar (which becomes a butterfly in a metaphor style conclusion) to his knowledge of bees which ends up saving the classroom from an attack. Realistically, the character is portrayed as having a learning disability even though he has the desire to learn without the benefit of being a good reader. He also has an objection to the song "Three Blind Mice" and becomes violent after hearing it repeatedly. This makes him an outcast in the classroom, sitting in the equivalent of the dunce's corner, one unpleasant factor which took away from me some of the sympathy towards Dandridge's overly emotional character whose only real flaw is caring far too much.

We should be grateful in historical perspective, however, that this 60 year old film, made in the days of TV's "Amos and Andy", does show black life in a more positive light. And with Sidney Poitier then a rising star thanks to films such as "No Way Out" and "Cry the Beloved Country", it seemed that at least attempts were being made to change things. Look for Maidie Norman (the housekeeper in "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?") as the mother of an ailing student.

So much promise unfulfilled

[LadyJaneGrey · 5/10 · 21 January 2006]

This movie had so much to offer but ultimately disappointed. The storyline was an interesting one, but the execution was poor. Like the inhabitants of the play the children enact, "Sleeping Beauty," these people are not living in reality. Everyone is pretty happy, including the "troubled" young boy, C.T., who has repeated grades multiple times and the young, inexperienced teacher on her first assignment. The acting is fine, both Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge are attractive and engaging, but the story tries to go in divergent directions. The teacher puts the boy on the free lunch list because his student card says his father is not working. We do, however, see him in a clean, well-appointed home eating a nice big dinner. He is portrayed as troubled and alone, but he has a supportive, loving family. He seems isolated from his peers, yet he has a loving bond with a girl in his class. He does not complete school assignments, yet he clearly knows his math and is interested in the world around him and the mysteries of nature. The only real true chord was struck for me when C.T. asks the teacher (also teaching Sunday school), why, if God made man in his own image, black and white people cannot get along. She gives a rather stock answer which he absolutely doesn't buy and walks out of class.

It is also interesting to note that Dandridge had a mentally handicapped daughter about the same age as the children in her movie class. It must have been painful for her to see all these interactive, bright children and know her own was never going to be like them. Perhaps this contributed to her pained performance.

It is not clear what this movie was trying to say. It did not address any of the serious racial problems of the time with any realism. It seemed to want to portray these African-American people as fighting against insurmountable problems (as indeed was reality at the time) but did not actually want to show any of these problems, as if trying to avoid the historical portrayal of blacks as downtrodden and oppressed. But you can't have your cake and eat it, too.

Don't expect much from this movie. There is some nice singing by Belafonte and Dandridge. The children are entertaining. But ignore the story and simply enjoy the surroundings.

Quietly Wonderful

[movingpicturegal · 10/10 · 24 May 2006]

Dorothy Dandridge as a young teacher, Miss Richards, on her first year of teaching and the relationship she has with a student named C.T. C.T. is from a large, poor family, he's slightly troubled, won't study, arrives late his first day, and just doesn't care about school - yet he is kind, bright, and always seems to have a smile. Now in the fourth grade, he has spent most of his school years flunking and spending two years in each grade. Miss Richards tries to help him and meantime has a small flirtation (yeah, really quite small) with the hunky, guitar-playing, school principal (Harry Belafonte). C.T. has a soft spot in his own heart for his pretty little schoolmate, Tanya, and the two have a sweet little romance with walks home from school hand in hand.

Well, this film is really a sort of hidden little jewel - how'd I manage to miss it all these years?! They also manage to fit in a few singing spots for Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge, who gives a very sensitive portrayal of the new teacher (with interesting voice-overs of her inner voice speaking to herself). She also looks quite lovely in plain make-up and clothing. A special and different film.

Bright Road-Inspirational 'Dull' Education **1/2

[edwagreen · 10 September 2011]

Films of school generally fall into the trap of being unrealistic for our times. This film is no exception. In fact, with the exception of "Blackboard Jungle," as well as "Goodbye, Mr. Chips," and "Good Morning, Miss Dove," this seems to be true for films.

Taking place in the deep south, the film stars Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge, a year before their smash-hit of "Carmen Jones."

Belafonte is a subdued principal of an all-black public school and Dandridge is a first year teacher, with much inspiration. Naturally, she confronts CT, a difficult child who has given fits to his previous teachers. With the usual idea of love and understanding, Miss Richards is finally able to win over this recalcitrant child. The movie explores how she does this even when a fellow female student dies during the film. The death of that child affects CT who loved her dearly.

How she finally wins him over is silly at best. Familiar themes with the basic idea of understanding have always been explained this way in Hollywood. Get real please.

Adventures on the Bright Road

[higherall7 · 7/10 · 24 November 2020]

Funny how much this film seems like an episode of 'FATHER KNOWS BEST', which ran from 1954 to 1960 for six seasons on various television stations. There is no doubt that the story could have used a little more grit as one reviewer remarked, and comes across as so well-intentioned that it is saccharine in spots. Wholesomeness can be a hard product to sell as people take so much delight in being bad! People speak about this film having its 'heart in the right place', much as Charles Bronson's television series 'MAN WITH A CAMERA' did in attempting to right wrongs by holding the affairs of the community up to the lens of the photographer so that it could really see and scrutinize itself in one episode. The problem is seeing people on their best behavior while they accumulate goodie points can get tiresome after awhile.

The great thing about this film is that there is no hint of minstrelsy in the performances. Dorthy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte make for compelling and attractive leads, but the range of emotion that they display is simply not comparable to what they achieved in CARMEN JONES (1954), some time later. While it may appear that Dandridge and Belafonte are performers of exceptional charisma, I remember as a youngster encountering African American teachers both male and female who were just as or even more physically attractive and of darker hue to boot. My Art Teacher Miss Price comes to mind as well as a Gym Teacher called Mister Singleton. I'm sure they possessed no desire to be movie stars, but I could easily see them in this movie without its quality suffering one bit.

This film is based on a short story by Mary Elizabeth Vroman entitled "See How They run". It was published in the Ladies Home Journal in 1951. I was fortunate to come across it in an anthology edited by Langston Hughes called THE BEST SHORT STORIES BY BLACK WRITERS. There is no doubt in my mind that had the writer Emmet Lavery and the Director Gerald Mayer stuck more to the story as it was written it would have been a better product. Also, the musical score by David Rose leaves a little something to be desired.

BRIGHT ROAD makes you want to root for it, as it is about something more than drug dealers trying to extricate themselves from the clutches of the mob, or superstud private eyes using Sam Spade as a role model, or whorehouse porn stars on the run from the law and screwing their way to freedom, and most of the black folks I know are more or less like Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge. That is, peculiar people of particular gifts doing what they can to develop them to the greatest dimension. BRIGHT ROAD starts out with high hopes and the best of intentions, but despite breaking new ground, devolves into something less than expected. In the end, it is a good idea for a movie, as indeed THE WORLD, THE FLESH AND THE DEVIL (1959) was a good idea for a Science Fiction film, but steps back from the challenges it presents at crucial places during the course of the story when it should boldly go where no race has gone before.

BRIGHT ROAD is a wonderful little film with engaging performances by its leads and young actors such as Phillip Hepburn playing C. T. Young and Barbara Randolph playing Tanya. You can easily see it as the precursor to such films as LEAN ON ME (1989), and AKEELAH AND THE BEE (2006). Adopting this perspective, one can easily see why it deserves its place in film history. I just wish that Belafonte had gotten the kids to sing along with him and that C. T. had displayed more of the mechanical aptitude he demonstrated in Vroman's short story.

Sickly, syrupy sweet

[gbill-74877 · 3/10 · 26 July 2018]

I was certainly pulling for this one, but it quickly became a chore to sit through, even at its 68 minute run time. Its heart is in the right place, and it provides a good role model in showing these African-American kids at school, just as squeaky clean as Beaver Cleaver, but it's very simple, and sickly, syrupy sweet. I confess I watched it out of loyalty to Dorothy Dandridge, but the real highlight was Harry Belafonte singing "Suzanne (Ev'ry Night When the Sun Goes Down)" simply beautifully. This was his first film, and it interesting that his second would also be with Dandridge, and in the decidedly more saucy film 'Carmen Jones'.

There are moments when 'Bright Road' asks some interesting questions (What color is God? If all men are brothers, why don't white people and black people behave that way towards one another?, etc), and I appreciated it showing how a troubled boy just needed some encouragement, but it's all done under wooden, sunny pretenses, and nothing about it seems authentic. The film has religious overtones as well, though it was interesting to see the kids recite the Pledge of Allegiance in 1953, because the words "Under God" would not be added to the Pledge until the following year. I wish I could give it a higher rating out of sympathy.

Disappointing

[Michael_Elliott · 26 February 2008]

Bright Road (1953)

** (out of 4)

A new school teacher (Dorothy Dandridge) at an all black school tries to save a troubled student (Philip Helburn), although the principle (Harry Belafonte) has his doubts. Even by the "good teacher tries to save bad student" stands, this one here is pretty dull and lifeless. I'd also say the thing is just downright weird with some incredibly stupid voice overs that bring more laughs than anything. This was my first time seeing Dandridge and I found her very good in the role. Belafonte was also good in his film debut.

all black cinema

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 28 March 2024]

In rural Alabama, Jane Richards (Dorothy Dandridge) starts her first day of teaching her first class. C. T. Young is her troublemaking student who keeps having to repeat each grade. She sees through his bravado right away and struggles to connect with him. Mr. Williams (Harry Belafonte) is the Principal.

This is adapted from a Ladies' Home Journal award-winning story. It is very sincere. This is Harry Belafonte's first theatrical acting credit and he gets to sing. For good or for ill, the most notable aspect is its lack of white people. At times, this film does touch on the racism of its day. It could also be seen as soft-peddling or ignoring the rising civil rights movement. My take is that this is looking at life behind the headlines although it is an idealized world. There is a shocking turn. The ending feels a little abrupt. The 69 minutes movie could use another 20 minutes to flesh out the closing section. Maybe there could be a push to suspend the kid or even expulsion. That could add some drama.

A Great Film Classic to View

[whpratt1 · 10/10 · 26 May 2006]

Enjoyed seeing Dorothy Dandridge,(Jane Richards),"Carmen Jones",'53, in this picture which was directed by Gerald Mayer,a relative of Louis B. Mayer. In this film Jane Richards starts her first year of teaching at an all Black School and enjoys each and every student. However, she does take particular notice to a boy called "CJ" who is a sort of daydreamer and manages to be left back for two(2) years in almost every grade in school. The entire school has given up on this young boy and even the principal of the school begins to think it is a good idea to dismiss him from school. Dorothy Dandridge was a great African American actress and very talented and was a big success in "Carmen Jones", where she gave a fantastic performance. Dorothy's career soon started to disappear because her race was not portrayed on the Silver Screen in the 50's along with other great Black Entertainers. It is sad when you think that Dorothy Dandrige could have gone on in her career and given us many years of great entertainment.

What A "Bright Star"

[yendorbeave · 8/10 · 5 January 2006]

I really enjoyed seeing this "Gem" of a movie the characters were okay but Dandridge was out of sight as a prim and proper teacher. as a former educator, I loved to see her concern for young C.T. and her going beyond the call of duty for poor Tanya. It was a tear-jerker and an inspirational film. Being a minister, I also liked the Sunday School scene and the quips by the P.K.(preacher's Kid)...Lil' Miss Know it all!! I have one just like that Ha Ha Ha!!!Middle kid. Boyd and Lloyd were a scream!!! Belafonte wasn't realistic. But I will give him props this being His debut film. I felt that I wanted to see a sequel what ever happened to C.T. and his eight brothers and sisters? Did he ever get over Tanya? this film was good for its time. Check this one out.

Why so poorly directed?

[KayMack23 · 5/10 · 27 February 2021]

Nice, sweet, and mostly happy little black cast film, that is unfortunately another victim of all-black cast films of history: Miserable Direction. I don't know what the director of this cute movie was doing during filming, but I don't think it was directing! He may have been busy hanging out in Ms Dandridge's trailer :) This film could have been so much more, if only the actors were directed properly. Belafonte's performance was wooden, unbelievable.

Innocent and enjoyable movie. Great actors.

[RANDERAVEN · 10/10 · 10 September 2001]

I really enjoyed this movie. It included a few well known stars as Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte and also Stymie Beards little brother Rene. Well put together for the time. Positive movie for the whole family.

A movie every teacher should see!

[msladysoul · 9/10 · 18 January 2010]

This was really a good movie. I wish there was a sequel. I wish more teachers were like Dorothy Dandridge's character. Obviously we have many problem children now and we need more understanding teachers who are willing to have a heart, instead of just going to earn a paycheck and bark out orders and schoolwork. No wonder we have so many angry children who grow up to be angry adults, they get no love at home nor at school. I feel if you want to be a teacher, you got to realize you're more then a teacher, you got to be a parent too. You got to find a special gift, hobby, or talent in a problem child and make that child feel special and in that way, that'll help them be better in other activities and schoolwork.

Everyone in this movie touched my heart, especially the children, for kids who never acted before they were so natural and believable. In those days work for black children in movies was rare so I'm not surprised most of the black children in the movie didn't appear in any other films but I want them to know their appreciated for their appearances and I hope some of them will post on this forum to let us know what became of them.

The girl who played Tanya (Barbara Ann Sanders) had such a sweet face and tears came to my eyes when she died. I can't help but think what could have became of all these children if their were acting opportunities for black children. The boy who played C.T. (Phillip Hepburn) was amazing and his acting was so believable. Even in today's era there are many boys just like C.T. who are misunderstood and just need extra tender, loving, and care.

I noticed many black dancers/actresses who had been in Hollywood films as dancers and maids for years in this film, that weren't credited but had small parts, such as, Louise Franklin, Doris Ake, Jeni LeGon, Vivian Dandridge, Dorothy's sister. Maidie Norman was wonderful as Tanya's mother. All these black actresses didn't have the fair chance to really shine in films. They were left out because of Hollywood not wanting to give too many black women a chance in films. Lena Horne and Dorothy got a chance, but even they struggled.

Last but not least, Dorothy was wonderful as a caring teacher who won't give up on C.T. Dorothy is very pretty but not overly glamorous, she's very believable as a teacher.

See this movie if you get a chance, with all the junk out today, you can spare 66 minutes to see an inspirational film about not giving up on anyone. Sometimes people will be a problem just to test you to see if you really care. There's a scene where C.T. shows he really knows the answers to his math but he won't reveal he's really smart to the teacher. He wants her to show she cares first.

If you like this film, you will love "Take A Giant Step" starring Johnny Nash and Ruby Dee, made in 1959 or 1960. After seeing "Bright Road," I feel "Take A Giant Step" might have been a sequel to this movie. Take A Giant Step is about a troubled teenage black boy trying to find acceptance and his place in a unfair world. It's very good. Johnny Nash even resembled what an older C.T. might have looked like. There's an actress in the film who the teenage boy is in awe of and I think because he reminds her of Tanya, but that's just my take.

Anyways, you'll love both films. Why don't they make films like these anymore?

To Live And Die A Princess

[bkoganbing · 9/10 · 18 January 2010]

If quality of film is to be measured by the size of the budget than Bright Road is pretty inconsequential. But a big budget production would have overwhelmed the beauty of this story about a dedicated black school teacher in rural Alabama of the Fifties. Dorothy Dandridge is nothing short of brilliant in the part of the teacher.

As much as the story is crucial to the film, so is the location. Remember this is Alabama right before the Civil Rights era and Bright Road gives you a really good look at what the kids there have to endure to get any kind of education. It paints a very good picture about just what the related integration cases that were compacted into Brown vs. the Board of Education were all about, that separate is inherently unequal. Still principal Harry Belafonte makes do with what he has and staff like Dandridge don't come better.

The juvenile leads of Philip Hepburn and Barbara Ann Sanders are real kids and not Hollywood kids. Hepburn is the slow kid in the class, but Dandridge sees something in him. She works to get him out of his shell, but then the death of young Ms. Sanders who he was close to, threatens to blow up all the progress she's made.

For Dandridge's character the writers and director borrowed the not often used technique from Eugene O'Neill's Strange Interlude with her thoughts being voiced over the dialog, especially when it concerns young Mr. Hepburn. It was effectively utilized in this film.

Children do have dreams and they pretty much run the same regardless of race. The wonder of Sleeping Beauty especially with music by Tschaikovsky knows no boundaries. Young Ms. Sanders dreams of being a princess and so she is in a class production of Sleeping Beauty. One of the most effective displays of the unequalness and yet the beauty of the film situation is the badly tuned rickety school piano being utilized for the Sleeping Beauty production. This rural black school probably hasn't had a new piano in decades or can afford a piano tuner for the one they have.

When young Ms. Sanders is discovered to have viral pneumonia, she's lucky to find a doctor, any doctor to treat her. Robert Horton is brought in, probably too late and more than likely because there is a scarcity of black physicians and finding a white doctor to treat a black child in 1953 Alabama was rare indeed. Yet there is beauty because the young girl really does die the princess she dreams of being. I defy anyone to stop the tears watching this film.

Bright Road is a beautiful and sadly accurate picture of a troubled place and time in America. But like Tschaikovsky's music it is a timeless work.

The Teacher Becomes The Taught

[Ainsley_Jo_Phillips · 10/10 · 20 January 2010]

I just happened to stumble across this movie by being in front of the TV at the right time, and it made a great impression on me.

I'm involved with an organization called Invisible Youth Network (an outreach for homeless and/or otherwise at-risk youth), and C.T. would fall under the category of "otherwise at-risk" in deciding his place in our mission.

This movie came out when I was just a baby, and I'm 57 now, and it goes to show that there have been children who are in danger of falling through the cracks of society even way back then just as there are now--and that the choice is constantly being made re: what choices we have to remedy the situation--or not.

C.T. had been repeating each grade ever since he had started school (meaning that he should have been in seventh grade instead of fourth grade), and the principal and teachers were about to give up hope on his making much of his life.

Not so with the school's brand new teacher. She believed that C.T. had potential that just hadn't been tapped into yet. This came partly from, also, being his Sunday School teacher where she had observed that he could be a deep thinker who wasn't afraid to ask hard questions. I assume that this also came from the fact that she was still new at teaching and had yet to experience any teacher burn-out and was, instead, eager to excite and educate young minds.

The thoughts going through her head as she began to deal with C.T. as a student in her class were expressed in voice-overs--and those voice-overs expressed concerns that, perhaps, she had been expecting too much. Yet, something kept her from completely giving up on him.

Perhaps, it was because that--even though he was doing very poorly in all of his studies and didn't seem to be at all interested in getting with the program--she was won over by his smile, helpfulness, artistic talent, and how he was sweet on one of his classmates even though he didn't really relate that well to any of his other classmates.

His unique views on a children's game and the familiar song that went with it also struck a chord with his teacher.

I'll leave it to the viewer to find out just how, but I'll say this much: In the end, C.T. became the teacher and even the authority figures became the taught! How this one brand new teacher who didn't insist that C.T. would fit perfectly into a mold but, instead, tuned herself into him ended up making the difference between his continuing to be an invisible youth and one who was empowered with vision, visibility, and voice!

Surprisingly good.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 5 November 2015]

"Bright Road" is a remarkable film for many reasons. It is the story of an old fashioned school back in the day when black students were sent to their own schools. However, the film is not really overtly about racism but instead shows the black teachers and students as humans--normal folks with the same values and aspirations as anyone. In this movie, a new teacher, Miss Richards (Dorothy Dandridge) is concerned about one of her children, C.T.. This young man has been seen as 'slow' by his other teachers and he's been failed repeatedly in school. However, throughout the film, it becomes obvious that there is some real decency and non- traditional intelligence in the kid. But when his little girlfriend dies, C.T. falls apart as does his school performance. What is Miss Richards to do?

This film has a lot of nice acting. Philip Hepburn is surprisingly good as C.T.--as so often kids are not particularly good actors. Additionally, the writing is lovely and the viewer really comes to care for these people. Well done and well worth seeing...and a highly unusual film for its time---especially coming from MGM studio.

Great Movie

[colbertadrian · 10/10 · 9 April 2020]

Great family movie, should be a must watch for potential teachers, Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte were great together.