8.0/10
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87 user 27 critic

A Patch of Blue (1965)

Trailer
2:01 | Trailer
A blind, uneducated white girl is befriended by a black man, who becomes determined to help her escape her impoverished and abusive home life by introducing her to the outside world.

Director:

Guy Green

Writers:

Elizabeth Kata (novel), Guy Green (written for the screen)
Won 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 15 nominations. See more awards »

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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 Kelly Flynn ... Yanek Faber
Debi Storm Debi Storm ... Selina, Age 5
Renata Vanni Renata Vanni ... Mrs. Favaloro
Saverio LoMedico Saverio LoMedico ... Mr. Favaloro
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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. Written by alfiehitchie

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

Love is color blind. See more »

Genres:

Drama | Romance

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Elizabeth Hartman visited a Braille school for the blind before shooting in preparation for her role. See more »

Goofs

In the beginning of the movie, Rose-Ann comes home and sits on her bed. She is seen taking her shoes off twice. See more »

Quotes

[Gordon is shopping with Selina]
Gordon Ralfe: I almost forgot. I'm out of detergent. Now this is where I really need your help. There's Swish...
Selina D'Arcy: [Quoting advertising slogans] "Keeps your hands soft as velvet."
Gordon Ralfe: Good. Whizz...
Selina D'Arcy: "Retains your girlish skin."
Gordon Ralfe: Marvelous. Jiffy...
Selina D'Arcy: "Jiffy makes you feel like a princess."
Gordon Ralfe: Froth...
Selina D'Arcy: Froth? I never heard that one.
Gordon Ralfe: Froth is just for washing dishes, but that's the one we need.
See more »

Alternate Versions

Also available in a computer-colorized version. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Demo Reel: Blue Patches (2013) See more »

User Reviews

Not Enough Shelley Winters!
24 October 2004 | by bregundSee all my reviews

Shelley Winters's platinum-haired, overweight, foul-mouthed Roseanne D'arcy is as much fun to watch as her pouty, midwestern Charlotte Haze in Lolita. As sharp and horrible as a root canal, she marches around the tiny apartment she shares with her daughter and father, ordering Selina about like an indentured servant: "Where's my dinner?" she bellows like a foghorn. Classic. The fight scene between she and her father is not to be missed, as the one-liners fly back and forth like knives. When the neighbors try to intervene, Shelley launches into them like the assault on Normandy, gleefully turning husband against wife.

Sidney Poitier is wonderful as always, as Gordon. As an actor, Poitier can do no wrong; he glides into the room with that curious mixture of animal magnetism and precise diction, sizing up a situation with the efficiency of an accountant. His Gordon Ralfe is realistic and fatherly toward Selina, even as he tries to ignore the underlying romantic tension between Selina and himself.

Elizabeth Hartman's Selina is so fragile that she looks as though she will break any moment. I have a hunch that much of her excellent performance is mined from her real-life depression, if her IMDb biography is accurate.

This is an excellent film, and highly recommended.


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 February 1966 (Canada) See more »

Also Known As:

A Patch of Blue See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$800,000 (estimated)
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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