A Patch of Blue

Drama | English| 105 minutes

Info

Selina D’Arcy is a blind teen-age white girl living in an apartment with a vulgar mother, who is ia prostitute, and her grandfather, Ole Pa. Selena’s mother is abusive and Ole Pa is an alcoholic. Selena has no friends, rarely leaves the apartment, and has never been educated. Selena has her grandfather take her to the nearby park where she meets Gordon Ralfe, an educated, compassionate Black man. They meet in the park frequently and a friendship develops. Since Gordon feels the only way Selena will have a chance in life he enrolls her in a special school for the blind. Selena’s mother is furious and tries to stop this plan. She does not succeed. Prior to leaving for school, Selena expresses her love for Gordon and proposes marriage. Gordon, mature and wise, persuades Selelna they must wait until Selena can know the difference between a strong friendship and love.

Cast

Sidney Poitier (Gordon Ralfe) / Shelley Winters (Rose-Ann D’Arcy) / Elizabeth Hartman (Selina D’Arcy) / Walace Ford (Ole Pa

Why Stream This Film?

It’s rare that such a worthy film, still running in theaters and nominated for 10 Oscars, is also available for streaming.

Rotten Tomatoes Score (Critics Consensus): 89%
Metacritic Score: 73

Accolades

Academy Awards: Winner, Best Supporting Actress (Shelley Winters); Nominated, Best Actress (Elizabeth Hartman)
Golden Globe Awards: Winner, Most Promising Newcomer, Female (Elizabeth Hartman)
Writers Guild of America: Nominated, Best Written American Drama (Guy Green)

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