Crisis at Central High (TV 1981)

Story of the federally-ordered integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957.

Director:

Lamont Johnson

Writers:

Elizabeth Huckaby (memoir), Richard Levinson,

Stars:

Joanne Woodward, Charles Durning, Henderson Forsythe

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joanne Woodward	...	Elizabeth Huckaby
Charles Durning	...	Jess Matthews
Henderson Forsythe	...	Glenn Huckaby
Calvin Levels	...	Ernest Green
William Russ	...	J.O. Powell
Tamu Blackwell	...	Caroline Fuller (as Tamu)
Shannon John	...	Donna Kirby
Bill Morey	...	Virgil Blossom
Tony Frank	...	Hildebrand
John William Galt	...	Mr. Kirby (as John Galt)
Robert Ginnaven	...	General Thomas Woods
Lori Grupe	...	Marlene
Irma P. Hall	...	Lulu Richards
Jerry Haynes	...	General
Rosanna Huffman	...	Mrs. Farrow

Storyline

Story of the federally-ordered integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957.

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 February 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Crisis en las aulas

Filming Locations:

Central High School - 1500 Park Street, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

CBS Entertainment Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The interiors were shot in historic Woodrow Wilson High School (built 1928) in the Lakewood area of Dallas, Texas. Many students, including the late Lance Bircher, were used in the filming. The students had trouble understanding the concept of separate schools for blacks and whites and the resulting struggles as the school was cited by the Supreme Court as a model for natural integration during the Dallas desegregation case. They were thrilled to receive a visit from Miss Woodward's husband, Paul Newman.

User Reviews

High School Horror Stars in Racially Charged Film ****

The story of the efforts to bring about racial integration and the attempts to defeat it are well-defined in this excellent made for television movie in 1981.

Joanne Woodward has never been better as English teacher Elizabeth Huckaby. Her memoirs detail the emotionally charged academic year of 1957 when the school was ordered to admit black students.

Looking at Ms. Woodward, she represented the embodiment of an English teacher far outdoing the comical Eve Arden in "Our Miss Brooks."

Teaching became an absolute disaster that year with student minds concentrated on the picketing and racial taunts being hurled at black students attempting to enter. With it all, Huckaby attempts to conduct classes, as emotions run high throughout the school and country.

Woodward's success as Huckaby is depicted by her being a victim of the situation as well. Finally, we see her in a role where she is not emotionally entangled because of her own personal hangups. She is the way she is because of the situation around her.

Those black students who arrive face an awesome situation. Insulted, bullied and threatened, one decides to leave but the others will stick with it.

What an academic year in this engrossing film!