A Patch of Blue (1965)

A blind, uneducated white girl is befriended by a black man, who becomes determined to help her escape her impoverished and abusive home life.

Director:

Guy Green

Writers:

Elizabeth Kata (novel), Guy Green

Stars:

Sidney Poitier, Shelley Winters, Elizabeth Hartman

Won 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Sidney Poitier	...	Gordon Ralfe
Shelley Winters	...	Rose-Ann D'Arcey
Elizabeth Hartman	...	Selina D'Arcey
Wallace Ford	...	Ole Pa
Ivan Dixon	...	Mark Ralfe
Elisabeth Fraser	...	Sadie
John Qualen	...	Mr. Faber
Kelly Flynn	...	Yanek Faber
Debi Storm	...	Selina, Age 5
Renata Vanni	...	Mrs. Favaloro
Saverio LoMedico	...	Mr. Favaloro

Storyline

Accidentally blinded by her prostitute mother Rose-Ann at the age of five, Selina D'Arcey spends the next 13 years confined in the tiny Los Angeles apartment that they share with "Ole Pa", Selina's grandfather. One afternoon at the local park, Selina meets Gordon Ralfe, a thoughtful young office worker whose kind-hearted treatment of her results in her falling in love with him, unaware that he is black. They continue to meet in the park every afternoon and he teaches her how to get along in the city. But when the cruel, domineering Rose-Ann learns of their relationship, she forbids her to have anything more to do with him because he is black. Selina continues to meet Gordon despite Rose-Ann's fury, who is determined to end the relationship for good.

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Plot Keywords:

park | grandfather | prostitute | beads | blindness | 

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Taglines:

Love is color blind.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 December 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cuando solo el corazón ve

Filming Locations:

Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$800,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to director Guy Green, many girls auditioned for the role of Selina. However, as soon as Elizabeth Hartman walked into his office, he knew she was the one.

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Goofs

When Selina whistles "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" she stops whistling to breath in more air but we can still hear her whistle even though her lips aren't together.

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Quotes

Selina D'Arcy: Hello Sadie.
Sadie: [ignoring her] Man, dig that crazy ghost! Hey, you hear a ghost tellin' me "hello" Rose-Ann?

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Connections

References The Americanization of Emily (1964)

User Reviews

A Patch of Excellence.

One of those genuinely moving and emotional films that toes the line to excellence and almost succeeds. Young Elizabeth Hartman (Oscar-nominated) is blind and has been a part of a household where she has been treated like a second-rate stranger and outcast by her cold mother (Shelley Winters is a smashing Oscar-winning turn). One day Hartman meets professional businessman Sidney Poitier in the local park and they become quick friends as Hartman is treated with love and respect by Poitier while Hartman's handicap means she does not know that Poitier is really African-American. Two pure hearts are able to overcome the cruelty of others in this fine American motion picture that is well worth one's time. It is one of the better films of the 1960s. Sidney Poitier was at the top of his career here. 4.5 out of 5 stars.