Do Black People Like this Movie? - A Patch of Blue (1965) Discussion

[–] noveltylibrary 18 years ago

That's an odd question, you assume they all have the same taste?

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[–] blzoe 18 years ago

*sigh*

Okay, do ANY black people like this movie? Do SOME black people like this movie? What, as a black person, is your take on this movie? Not YOU specifically, I realize I don't know whether you are black or not.

Not everything needs to be interpreted in a suspect light. I am not assuming that all people of ANY group have the same taste.

I'm white. I like the movie. I can't have the perspective a black person watching this movie has, so I'm inviting persons with that perspective to tell me their views.

And no, I'm not using "black" instead of African American as an insult. I assume people outside of America may have seen "A Patch of Blue".

"Come, sir, I have fair meaning". I'm just curious; no disrespect of any kind was intended.

de gustibus non est disputandum

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[–] maxcottle-1 18 years ago

I am a Black Man and I was not offended by your post I understood your meaning and didn't feel that it was in anyway racist. I see you just wanted the black perspective.

I love Sidney Poitier and love his films but feel that the racism portaeyed in this film is not representitive of the racism that would be experienced by black people in America today let alone back in the 60s.

The film is lovely and I feel so sad for Selina a bit of a sad Cinderella character she is so innocent and kind hearted a jewel surrounded by the scumb of her family. You dread to think of the life that she would have had ahead of her had it not been for Gordon.

The whole giving her glasses in the park I think was innocent as well. not so much to hide her disability but to give her confidence because she was worried about how she looked. I thought it was a very kind gesture if you take it as it was meatn rather than reading too much in to it after all you can read what you want in to anything really.

I really enjoyed the film it was sad and sweet.

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] axellaj 17 years ago

"Rose-Ann" was not an extreme example. She was very representative of ignorant white people at the bottom of the social ladder. They were called, "white trash" by other whites.

Many "white trash" saw black people as being even lower than them, because it gave them the only feeling of power they would ever have in society.

I remember as a young child in the mid 60s, I was walking to the corner store with an older relative. She most certainly was not "white trash", but a woman who had been reared for housewifery, with minimal education (Italian-American families, when she was growing up in the 1920s and 30s, didn't see a lot of value in educating their daughters beyond the legal minimum, if even that).

As we walked, I saw a shiny new plastic comb in the street, and I stopped to pick it up. For my effort, I was admonished with, "PUT THAT DOWN! A COLORED PERSON COULD HAVE USED IT!".

That's the way the world was in the mid 60s.

I think it was the same with a lot of immigrants and their descendants, especially from Ireland, and southern and eastern Europe.

Again, they were at the bottom of the pecking order in American society, with their strange accents and customs. They, and subsequently their American-born offspring, were not considered to be "real" Americans by Yankee bluebloods. By treating black people scornfully, the immigrants were able to feel superior to someone. It kept them from being at the "bottom" of society, so to speak, at least in their eyes.

I need a man, not a boy!
"Grown Up World"
http://www.axella.com

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[–] fbm72751 10 years ago

Well---good question to ponder on. I'm thinking nowdays yes black people would like it as it is quite accepted now days. I'm white but if a black, Hispanic, Asian or any girl of any race came along and if I felt she was the one, then so be it. But when this hit the theaters in late 1965-early 1966 blacks may have felt a little uneasy about it.

Sidney Poitier in his career laid a lot of groundwork for interracial relations on the screen. I recently saw "the Defiant Ones" about him and a white convict (Tony Curtis) on the run and never once did the race card come into it. Perhaps Sidney would be thrust into the limelight even more, a year after "Patch of Blue" when "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" came out. In my mixed race hometown of Phoenix, AZ, both films were well received.

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[–] dannieboy20906 9 years ago

I was also born (1955) and raised in Phoenix. Actually, I grew up outside of the city in unincorporated Maricopa County. My parents were both from New England, father from Maine and mother from Pennsylvania. They were progressive and raised me to look at people as individuals and to eschew racism.

When I was an adult I happened across the deed to the home I grew up in. My parents had purchased it in 1958 or 1959. I was shocked to discover that the CC&R's included prohibition of Jews, Hispanics, "Colored" (sic from the CC&R's) in the community. Owners were put on notice that they were not allowed to resell to such people.

The civil rights and voting rights laws passed in 1964 and 1965. Even before then the CC&R's were generally ignored. We did not have Black neighbors, but we had several Hispanics and a few Native Americans living among us. I found out that my best friend was Jewish when his older brother left to live on a Kibbutz in Israel following the Yom Kippur War (I hope I spelled the terms correctly). Since then the area has been mixed race.

Phoenix was just as racist as the rest of the country at one time, maybe worse than some places. We did not have 'Bull' Connor, but the territory was originally established in 1861 by the Confederate States of America. Notice how heavily Black and Hispanic the "South Side" of town is, the area south of Broadway Avenue. That did not happen by accident.

Nevertheless, I remember both movies being accepted broadly and that Sidney Poitier was popular among residents.

The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank.

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[–] travioli1976 18 years ago

interesting question... i'm white, so i can't give you the insight you seek. however i'm disabled (i use a wheelchair). i first saw this movie in college when i critiqued it for a group project for a disabilities studies course. there were several issues to discuss: gordon giving selina sunglasses to hide her disability, her dreams of being sighted, the halted romance. the first on-screen interracial kiss is often credited to the one in 1968's guess who's coming to dinner, but gordon and selina kiss in a patch of blue. desipte these "flaws" (i understand the movie's setting) i love this movie. i dated an african american man when i was 22. he was a 37 year old professional. i watched a patch of blue with him. he said he liked it. we discussed the similarities between us and gordon and selina. our relationship was brief like the one in the movie. from my own experiences the differences in race is not their greatestst barrier. the older more experienced person is reluctant to have a substantial realiontionship with the younger, disabled person. maybe out of fear of being judged as taking advantage--"what will people say?" again, i fully admit to viewing these issues in a different setting: 40 years later. i know interracial relationships were a very controversial issue then, nearly tabboo. i'm just offering a different perspective. i would like to hear what others took from this movie...

travis sexton
www.myspace.com/travioli1976

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[–] Browningdiva 18 years ago

This is definitely a great movie. What makes it worth watching is the fact that it was made during a time where interracial couples were almost non-existant, and if there were couples, they were probably treated like outlaws. To even attempt to make a movie like this in the sixty's took a lot of confidence. I'm almost positive it was very controversal and probably many people thought of it negatively when it first came out. There's no doubt that black people like this movie, the question is, did anybody else in that time era? I just saw this movie a few days ago and it shocked me, not because of the characters(they were perfect), but because of the date it was made.

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[–] dracokatan 17 years ago

Wow it seems there are still some humans abroad that use color as the only way to categorize the world.

Ha!

This movie (as were all of Mr. Poitier's) depicted an oppressed man who had over come the limitations imposed upon him to show a more confident, educated, and unwavering person.

In the Heat of the Night, Virgil Tibbs slapped the Sh*t out of a racist. Or in To Sir with Love, a teacher who delivered on morals and ethical behavior. And don't let us forget his award winning role as the caring, Homer Smith in Lillies of the Field.

To answer your question, Yes. WE love the movie and what the character and actor represents. For that day and time, Sidney represented his race, his craft, and us color blinded homosapiens ... very well. And still does it.

I mean no animosity or rudeness. The question of "What do we Call Ourselves Now?" always makes me smile. Terms of Color/Creed are like profanity; it is because we are not educated enuff to use our vocabulary to describe something with eloquence.

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[–] blzoe 17 years ago

Well, if your comments are directed at me, draco, either you did not understand my posts, or I don't understand yours.

I don't use color as the only way to categorize the world. I suppose I could have posed other questions, based on the differences between Selena and Gordon that I outlined in my second post: do women like this movie; do people of different socio-economic backgrounds like this movie; do people of different educational levels like this movie, etc. But obviously the movie's central theme is an interracial relationship, so I believe my question was valid.

I don't pretend to be color-blind; I've yet to meet anyone of any race who fits my idea of color-blind. However, I try my best to use a person's behavior when making my assessment of him/her.

To all who responded, thanks for your perspectives.

de gustibus non est disputandum

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[–] et72457 16 years ago

I think you asked a very interesting question. It sounds like the kind of question I would ask out of curiosity for the human race. I don't know why some people have to zone in on the black aspect. It certainly didn't seem to warrant any negative responses, & fortunately, there weren't many. Thanks for the question!

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[–] boxerrebellion 12 years ago

I understand your frustration, but could you attempt to understand the frustration of those of other races who are trying not to offend? I have known people of African/American descent who insist on that label, only to mislabel someone of similar skin colour from Jamaica who considers him/herself neither African nor American.

My son who is of African American descent doesn't like that label, but he also (even at the age of 15) considers the word Black to be just wrong. He uses the same argument that he did at the age of three: he's not black, he's brown. His sister is light brown. His Dad is pink (a red-head with fair skin) and I am beige or tan, depending on recent sun exposure.

Regardless of race, Mr. Poiter was a phenomenal actor. I can see how films that depict racial tension, discrimination, etc. could make people of any race uncomfortable - especially those of us who have never experienced it or had those thoughts.

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[–] monet2004 17 years ago

I can tell you that the movie appeals to many people regardless of race. It's simply a touching film. No, Selena was not cultured but you can see that she learned quickly once she met Gordon. I think they would have ended up together. The chemistry was there. It's touching to see that when society would not give this blind girl a chance, Gordon went the extra mile to help. It shows how one person can make a difference although it's a movie.

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[–] hodie 17 years ago

< I think they would have ended up together. >

I found Poitier and Hartman's characters ending up together a lot more palatable that Poitier's character and that annoying "Joanna" in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner."

I always thought Selina and Gordon would have lost touch with each other - after all, Selina was very young and inexperienced. But I saw the film today and I think that a year might have found the pair still in love with each other.

Maybe I just want that to happen.

And to me, Sidney Poitier was ALWAYS to die for. Oh, my, yes. Masculine and smart is pretty much an unbeatable combination.

I trust I make myself obscure.

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[–] madchen515 17 years ago

I just saw this movie again today and was reminded of how much I loved it. Sidney Poitier is simply beautiful. Everything about him is beautiful and he has such a way about him that I find hard to put into words. He is still that way today in my opinion.

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[–] indplsblk 17 years ago

I'm a 25 year old black male and I just saw the movie today for the first time. From the moment it came on I was hooked and couldn't change the channel. Sidney Poitier was his usual brilliant self and Selina reminded me of Dorothy from the Wizard of OZ. The way she talked and her innocence. Great movie. I thought Selina was going to end up staying with Gordon at the end.

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[–] SoleStar 17 years ago

I'm black.
Love this book, been waiting to see the movie.
& i'm not at all offened by your post.

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[–] Heff2001 17 years ago

Just watched on TCM today. Hadn't seen it in years. LOVE this movie still --- and all it stands for. A great cast. Sidney Poitier is awesome, as usual. Elizabeth Hartman (R.I.P) was, indeed, akin to Dorothy in a strange land now that you mention it (thanks for the analogy in a previous post). Their chemistry was great and totally believable.

As for the pair getting back together, I don't think he would let her get away without the music box. It doesn't matter if they get together anyway, you know they'll remain connected on some level.

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Fasten your seatbelts....

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[–] joeann_21 17 years ago

I watched this movie yesterday as well on TCM - it was very touching to me and enjoyed both Hartman and Poitier's very believable performances.

When I watched this movie, to me it doesn't matter what color you are, this was about two people reaching out for one another. Color didn't matter here, Poitier found Hartman and formed a friendship that Hartman so needed and deserved. One she found out he was black, it didn't matter to her at all, she had told Gordon she had another black friend, Pearl until her mean-spirited mother found out she was black.

SPOILER ALERT:

I am so glad that Poitier got Hartman in a school at the end and got her away from that terrible dysfunctional (I don't usually like using that term) family she was living with - That alone was a Happy Ending for me!

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[–] Heff2001 17 years ago

SPOILER ALERT:
Yes, and you know he will want to get that music box back in her hands... I think they'll remain friends at the very least.

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Fasten your seatbelts....

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[–] Hitachi01 17 years ago

I loved it, I saw it for the first time Jan. 21, 2008. And at the end I was kind of disappointed at first, because I wanted him to visit her at the school, return the music box, and take a long walk in the park! =)

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[–] Bonita_AppleBum 17 years ago

I'm black and I absolutely LOVE this film...i'm 20 but I remember me and my mother watching this when I was like 11. We have the DVD and just recently I have been watching it like everyday...LOL!!! I want a SEQUEL tho...too bad that would not be possible but still I want one. Sad to learn that Hartman(Selina) committed suicide decades ago...she sure was a talented lady. R.I.P.

I'm his Angie and he's my Jesse

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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] Emmjewels 16 years ago

I can remember the first I saw this movie, as a young girl in junior high school where every wednesday was 'movie day' in the school theather, and many years later I STILL LOVE it and consider it to be one of my "all-time" classics. It is now a part of my special classic movie library. I saw the 'updated' version but sadly was as impressed with that version.
From a very young age, I've looked for 'special meanings' in the films that I 'choose' to view, and the 'meaning' for this one still holds true today. I read sometime ago that Shelley Winters said it took alot for her to 'play' the role of Rose-Ann, because she'd been around black people for many years, and hadn't experienced anything like her character had.
As for Sidney Poitier (always at the top of his game) and Elizabeth Hartman, this was truly one of the 'best' match-ups for an extremely touching film on racism that I'd seen in my younger years, and at that it really left a quite indeliable impression on me and made me feel really sad and angry back then. I was also stunned and saddened to hear that Elizabeth Hartman had taken her life, because her career seemed like such a very promising one, especially her part in the 'Beguiled' with Clint Eastwood.

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[–] shaaronie 16 years ago

I am Black, Female and 49. I loved this movie. It is one of my all-time favs. I recently added it to my collection. Movies like this don't get made anymore. I also loved In Heat of the Night. These movies accurately reflect the various attitudes at that time. Notice at the end of the movie, when Old Pa and Selena's mother are confronting Gordon and they ask the all White crowd to do something, and they walk away. It showed the changing of the time.

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[–] MizhuB (165) 4 years ago

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