For Love of Ivy (1968)

A white family has had the same black maid for many years. When she tells them she wants to go back to school and will be leaving soon, the 20ish year old son decides what she needs is a ... See full summary »

Director:

Daniel Mann

Writers:

Robert Alan Aurthur (screenplay), Sidney Poitier (original story)

Stars:

Sidney Poitier, Abbey Lincoln, Beau Bridges

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sidney Poitier	...	Jack Parks
Abbey Lincoln	...	Ivy Moore
Beau Bridges	...	Tim Austin
Nan Martin	...	Doris Austin
Lauri Peters	...	Gena Austin
Carroll O'Connor	...	Frank Austin
Leon Bibb	...	Billy Talbot
Hugh Hurd	...	Jerry
Lon Satton	...	Harry
Stanley Greene	...	Eddie
Paul Harris	...	Dealer
Tony Major	...	Dealer
Clark Morgan	...	Dealer
Christopher St. John	...	Dealer
Bob Carey	...	Dealer

Storyline

A white family has had the same black maid for many years. When she tells them she wants to go back to school and will be leaving soon, the 20ish year old son decides what she needs is a change and begins searching for a man to wine her, dine her, but who won't marry her thinking that this will turn her aside from her plans. The man he finds doesn't entirely cooperate.

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Plot Keywords:

maid | cross cultural relations | hippie | love | extortion | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 July 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

Liebling

Company Credits

Production Co:

ABC Pictures International, Cinerama Productions Corp., Palomar Pictures (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Abbey Lincoln: You Gotta Pay the Band (1993)

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Soundtracks

"For Love of Ivy"
Vocal by Shirley Horn
Lyrics by Bob Russell
Music by Quincy Jones

User Reviews

The "Ivy" Leauge (In other words a smart film).

For film history buffs,this is the film that followed,"Guess Who's Coming To Dinner" in Sid's career. What a great choice it was too! I can't believe I'm only the third person to review this film. I bought a marked down copy of this on DVD and I'm glad I did.

Sidney plays Jack Parks,owner of a trucking company who is a client for Mr. Austin (Carroll O'Conner). This is not the somewhat "good guy" we're used to seeing Sidney play. He's got a secret,his company is a front for an illeagal "traveling casino",in the back of the semi.

The Austin family have a maid named Ivy whose worked for them since she was 18. ...but now she's 27 and wants to leave her job to become a secretary in the city and go to school too. The Austin family react like their whole world is falling apart! Especially Mrs. Austin,who hasn't kept house herself in those 9 years with Ivy. Mr. Austin seems to be the only voice of reason,as far as Ivy leaving is concerned.

Mr. Austin's spoiled hippie son concocts a plan to keep Ivy working for them. If she marries Jack,she'll "have" to stay! Even his usually level-headed sister goes along with it,making it clear that they have only their own selfish interests in mind and not what it is Ivy wants.

I wont spoil the movie for you by saying how it all plays out but it's well worth the watching. It's not strictly a question of race in this film but more about what anyone as a human being wants and needs in their life.

1960's or now,that message is still universal to all. The dialouge,acting and direction are smartly done,so without a doubt,10 stars. Buy it or rent it...but you have to see it. (END)