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With the current racial unrest between blacks and whites spread- ing ugly violence across two nations, I thought I would take a look at Hollywood's treatment of the various issues. Sadly, it really has not hey that long since blacks were tredted as equals on the movie screen, an incident that came about largely due to the gift- ed actor Sidney Poitier. Until Poitier's explosion onto the film scene in the late 50s, black men ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Stereotypes being broken formances of the.cast are first rate. Katherine Hepburn won an Oscar as the flustered mother of the young bride, and Spencer Tracy gave his last great performance as the gruff father trying to find some sense of the mess. Once again, Sidney Poitier gave a solid perfor- mance as the bridegroom-to-be, although by this time, his was a very familiar face to audiences. It seems he was the ONLY black actor working! and women were often portrayed as stereo- types. What is equally. john h. foote sad, is the fact that the] feelings of whites towards blacks was at the flicks equally stereotypical. Let me be clear as to why I am writing this article. It is in no way a political statement of any kind. The incidents in Los Angeles and Toronto may have begun as a protest (which I admire and respect), but they quickly boiled over into a rash of pathetic crimi- nal activity. Those riots were not about black or white, but about looting and theft, and in some cases, murder. This article is sim- ply to give you a look at how film treats the issues, and what films have turned the situation into great art. I certainly have no answers as to how to stop «acial prejudice or stereotyping, but perhaps the fol- lowing great films will help you understand the ugliness of preju- dice, and beauty of living in har- mony. The Defiant Ones (1958) Director Stanley Kramer' s In The Heat of the Night (1967) In The Heat of the Night won an Academy Award for best pic- ture just one day after the murder of Martin Luther King. A gutsy, powerfully acted and directed film, it faces the vileness of racial hatred as no film before ever had. The exciting, tense drama turns into a battle of wills as a black Philadelphia cop, again Poitier, is sent to Mississippi to hunt down a murderer. There, he is faced with the morales, manners and ugliness of the situation of the blacks in the, «deep south. Through it all he maintains his dignity, earning the respect of the small town sheriff, he eomes to call his friend. Rod Steiger won the best actor, Oscar for his riveting performance, but somehow director Norman Jewison was passed over. Sounder (1972) great film about the rel between two convicts, one black," one white, who manage to escape, yet are chained together. The film offers a provocative look at the racial problems of the situation, having the courage to face the problem head on, allowing the deep hatred to become a deep, true friendship. Superbly acted by Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis, the film still packs quite an emo- tional wallop. Filmed in the deep south on location adds to the gritty realism of the movie; the best movie of 1958. Guess Who's Coming To Dinner (1967) This is a wonderful comedy- drama that looks at the potential problems when a young woman brings her fiancee home to meet her parents. Problems arise from the fact the young man is black, marrying into a staunch WASP family. The film had timing going for it in the '60s -- it admittedly seems a trifle dated, but the per- Ea § . Et ra ET el Lay 8 % EB) Sounder is a brilliant, compas- sionate film about a poverty stricken black family in rural 3. Mr. Big - LEAN INTO IT 4. Soundtrack - WAYNE'S WORLD Louisiana in the Depression. The father is Sent away to prison for stealing food to feed his children, leaving the oldest son and his strong willed mother to keep the family together. Audiences responded strongly to the film, particularly to the astounding per- formance of Cicely Tyson as the woman striving to keep her family in one piece. 1 am not sure audi- ences of the '70s were aware of the difficulties of life for the blacks in the Depression, but this film "certainly jopened their v eyes. Never d ding, the film expl the everyday struggles of the fami- ly, yet always captures their loyal- ty and love for one another. Paul Winfield and Kevin Hooks are magnificent as the father and son, but it is Tyson's masterful perfor- mance that dominates the film. One of the finest films of the '70s. Crv Freedom (1987) This movie offers a sometimes honest look at the situation in South Africa in the late '70s, when a young activist named Steve Biko was brutally murdered by the Secret Police for his views on apartheid. His story would never have been told had it not been for his friend Donald Woods, a white journalist who risked his life to get his family out of the country to tell Biko's story. While the first half of the film ig powerful, it loses steam after (he death of Biko, probably because Denzel Please see MOVIES, page 12 5. Kriss Kross - TOTALLY KROSSED OUT The Music Students of Port Perry High School SUMMER BREEZE '92 WEDNESDAY, MAY 13th 7:30 PM in the GYM Admission: $3.; Students & Seniors $2.; Family $8. CLUB i Ho ET il Fabulous show! Ralph Price Isn't just a family doctor -- he's also a talented the | artist, as he proved day during g of his one- man show at Scugog Memorial Public Library. His collection of wooden sculptures can be seen until May 29 --- make a point of stopping by and seeing them for yourself! 1 a Meals on Wheels @ Transportation ® Foot Care SCUGOG COMMUNITY CARE Information Scugog General Meeting Latcham Centre, Port Perry THURSDAY, MAY 14th at 1:00 PM Everyone is Welcome to Attend. Please RSVP 985-8461 DESSERTS - MEETING - ENTERTAINMENT Information & Referral ® Luncheon Date ® ViSiting, etc. XDOE OIF < QZ=-------0 --HArco» SPECIAL THISWEEK! | $1.00 Off Coupon The CHRISTOPHER PIKE or FEAR STREET SERIES Buy One Paperback at Regular Price and Get $1.00 Off your 2nd Book of Either Series. =Riigr ends May 16th, 1992. BOOKS GALORE Af & MORE 175 Perry Street, Port Perry 985-8645