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:

Scenes of Poitier and Hartman kissing were excised from the film when it was shown in movie theaters in the southern states of the USA. These scenes are intact in the DVD version.

Goofs:

Continuity: In a number of interior shots where Selina is wearing sunglasses, you can see her eyes and it's apparent that the actress playing the role isn't wearing the foggy contact lenses that made her look blind in non-sunglasses scenes.

Quotes:

Selina D'Arcy: [Gordon kisses Selina on forehead] Was that a kiss?
Gordon Ralfe: [Nodding] It was a kiss.
Selina D'Arcy: Kiss me again.
[Gordon kisses her forehead again]
Selina D'Arcy: [Grabs Gordon's face and kisses him on the lips] Oh Gordon... Gordon... oh I wish I'd never been done over.
Gordon Ralfe: [Pulls her away] What did you say?
Selina D'Arcy: Nothing.
Gordon Ralfe: I'm sorry. You were much sinned against.
Selina D'Arcy: Are you angry with me. Do you think I'm bad... dirty?
Gordon Ralfe: No.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Edited into Afro Promo (1997)

Sensitive portrayal by Elizabeth Hartman

A very well-cast film version of Elizabeth Kata's novel. Jerry Goldsmith's score blends beautifully with the film's poignancy. Outstanding debut by the late Elizabeth Hartman; she is unforgettable as the blind Selina D'Arcy. Poitier is terrific as the insightful Gordon, and Shelley Winters gives a blistering portrayal as Selina's abusive, bigoted mother (Winters won Best Supporting Oscar).