A Patch of Blue (1965)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Guy Green

Writers:

Elizabeth Kata (novel)
Guy Green (written by)

Release Date:

10 December 1965 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

A man...a girl...captives in their own worlds...finding escape in each other...

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Park | Grandfather | Prostitute | Blind | Tenement

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 4 wins & 14 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Tue. July 14

5:45 AM

TCM

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

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #20966) | Canada:PG (video rating) | Finland:K-8 | Sweden:15 | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Filmways Pictures

Trivia:

'Shelly Winters' hated her role as "Rose-Ann" and was actually overwhelmed and speechless the night she won an Oscar for Best Supporting actress.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Throughout the movie, you can see the crew members and the boom mic reflected on Selina's glasses.

Quotes:

Selina D'Arcy: I know everything I need to know about you. I love you.
[touching Gordon's face]
Selina D'Arcy: I know you're good, and kind. I know you're colored and I...
Gordon Ralfe: What's that?
Selina D'Arcy: ...And I think you're beautiful!
Gordon Ralfe: [smiling] Beautiful? Most people would say the opposite.
Selina D'Arcy: Well that's because they don't know you.

Movie Connections:

Featured in A Cinderella Named Elizabeth (1965)

Wonderful, wonderful performances

What a surprise. It had been a long time since I saw such an honest, sensitively-made film, and it really brings to mind that old statement "They don't make 'em like they used to." How refreshing to see a film that handles potentially mawkish, TV movie-of-the-week style material (blind white girl falls in love with sighted black man) with sophistication, grace and lack of sentimentality. These are real humans that emerge out of the script, and the central performances of Sidney Poitier and the sadly forgotten Elizabeth Hartman take the tender screenplay and deliver beautiful, deeply touching performances. It is, simply put, a joy to watch them perform together.

Credit must also be given to a young Jerry Goldsmith's sweet, delicate score, and Robert Burks' (Hitchcock's favorite DP) rich black and white cinematography. Almost impossible to find in its original widescreen format, still very worthwhile rental material.