Pinky

Given the societal climate of 1949, “Pinky”, with its subject of race relations, was seen as a controversial film. Fast forward to the 21st century, and the movie’s topic is just as relevant and the portrayals are still thought provoking.Starring the lily-white Jeanne Crain, she plays a light skin African American who went north for school. There she learned she could “pass” and had little trouble moving about in society. She returns home to visit her grandmother and is reminded – to her disdain and discomfort – of the restrictiveness and unwritten rules that her community must endure. The movie dramatically shows how people’s attitudes and treatment of Pinky – both black and white – change in an instant once they learn of her true heritage. Movie viewers of the time were more aghast at how their favorite actress (Crain) was being treated, and not so much how her character – a fair skin African American – was being treated. Eventually, savvy (white) viewers began to realize that what was being done to Crain/Pinky was representative of what was being done to African Americans in the real world.Ethel Waters also had a major role, playing Pinky’s grandmother. Though some will say she was playing to stereotypes, it should be remembered that there were – and still are – economic divides and she was portraying a character in an area that limited opportunities for African Americans. With that said, no doubt the very capable Waters would have enjoyed playing a character from the other side of the divide!The grand dame of the Barrymore family, also named Ethel, played a cantankerous old lady in the latter days of her life. She was raised in a more divided culture than Pinky, but is wise enough to know that times are changing. She won’t live long enough to see the results of change, but she is able to hasten it through Pinky (you have to watch the movie to see how!).As controversial as this film was in 1949, it would have been interesting if someone like Lena Horne or Dorothy Dandridge was given the Pinky role. Furthermore, I wonder if this storyline could be told today with an actress who is of mixed heritage. Would it carry the same message? For full effect it would have to be an unknown actress. The “is she” or “isn’t she” would be real.“Pinky” was one of the most successful films of 1949. It did very well at the box office, and Crain, Waters, and Barrymore all received Oscar nominations. Its lasting impact was not only evoking conversation in 1949, but also stimulating conversation today. It’s a good case study of the perceptions of race.

must confess that I am not fond of watching movies that has to do with racism because it makes me uncomfortable. PINKY is a movie that tells the story of a mulatto young lady should I say that was raised by her African American grandmother in the deep south. Those were the days in which racism was at it heighest peek in the deep south. I know what I am talking about because I've been there and had hand to hand combact with it. It is very unfortunate that there are many human being on this globe that are naive to the vital rool that every race, color, creed and national origin play in our world. People need to be taught that no race or color is better that each other they are just different. when we go to the flower shop to buy a boque of flowers most of the time we get a variety of flowers because it makes it more attractive right? yes it does the same is true when we go to the Dept. store to buy a new set of linnens. My friends variety is the spice of life that what makes our world beautiful in the sight of God and man. Pinky was just a young lady caught in the throws of an unfriendly world of people that think that only they have the rights to exiest on this globe. Almost every white person that she encounter upon her return from medical school had a problem with her been connected to the black race. Pinky was so frustrated with the condition that exiested in the small town that she wanted to serve as a nouse that she wanted to go back to the place where she was trained as a nurse.I have a word of advise to all my friends out there that are controle by the spirit of racism, no one was born a racises, racism is something that is learned or taught. If a baby is raised by a person be it black of white, that child will grow to love that person regardless of the person's color until some one of his kind inculcate evil into the mind of that child. If Pinky was left alone to live comfortable with her grandmother undisturbed Pinky's life would not have been miserable like the way it was. I am happy that at the end of the day she defied all odds including the doctor that wanted her to abandone her grandmother and the people that turned their little town into a living hell for black people to stay and fight back. My friend I want to make something very clear, I don't have one drop of blood in my vain that is prejudice. I was sent to school in Texas by a white man that I loved dearly with his family. I have white friends in the south that were willing to die for me if push had come to shove, what I am saying is that not all white people are bad the same way not all black people are bad. I love every one the only thing I dislike about people of any race is their bad attitude. Therefore my advice to those that read this review is to watch PINKY and I am sure you will learn something from it because you will see

To me, the difference between a movie and a film is that a movie is something you can get up and walk away from for 5 or 10 minutes and not miss much of anything if anything at all. In Pinky the viewer can't afford to miss a minute. Jean Crane plays the role of an African-American who is so fair skinned that when she leaves The South to go north to become a nurse, that she learns she is able to pass as a white person. When she returns after completing college she is quickly reminded of what it means to be a "person of color" in The South circa 1930. Therefore she wants to leave but circumstances keep her from running away. And then an unexpected legal/courtroom drama becomes the center pieces of this great film.

This was a a VERY controversial movie, banned in much of the South, when it was released. This is a "Turnerized" version, with some of the parts Turner's people thought "too controversial" and "too politically incorrect" edited and some language "blipped-out".It is based on a true story.This movie has been unavailable in any form for nearly 20 years. Turner knows what's best for us to see as long as his copyright is in effect.You may or may not LIKE the story, but it happened, and happens today.The un-edited version is far sadder and even tragic. As far as I can find, it is no longer extant.

Arrived in excellent condition. Note to self: remember to select English for audio.

I watched this film as a child...and through the years have tried to watch it every time it is on. I like to buy friends dvds of movies I love so that I can share them with them...This time I have two friends in Scotland that I wanted to give PINKY to because it is a "good ole Southern" movie with such phenomenal acting...three favorites of mine: Jeanne Crain (in her best rold and one of the most beautiful women I feel to ever grace the screen), and Ethel Waters (love her in MEMBER OF THE WEDDING also)....and Ethel Barrymore (love her in just about everything)...some would consider it slight...but all three received Oscar nominations and I find it riveting (even though a little far fetched)....please watch and keep it alive!!!

Very good film a little dated now but worth a look Jeanne Crain lovely as ever in this dramatic role supported by the great Ethel Barrymore

Very Pleased

A film classic and good transfer