PINKY
US, 1949, 102 minutes, Black and White.
Jeanne Crain, Ethel Barrymore, Ethel Waters, William Lundigan, Basil Ruysdael, Nina Mae Mc Kinney, Frederick O'Neal, Evelyn Varden.
Directed by Elia Kazan
Pinky was a ground-breaking film of the late '40s and early '50s, especially in its depiction of racial tensions between black and white. In retrospect it might seem commonplace. However, in its time it was already too late for a just presentation of black characters in movies. However, in the atmosphere of post-World War Two and a greater social conscience in many movies (for example at the same time Intruder in the Dust, No Way Out) it was a striking drama. It had strength from its screenplay by Fox veterans Dudley Nichols and Philip Dunne. It was directed by Elia Kazan, who already had made such films as A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Gentlemen's Agreement and was soon to make A Streetcar Named Desire, Viva Zapata, Man on a Tightrope, On the Waterfront, East of Eden as well as his many films in the late '50s and in the '60s.
Ethel Waters is very striking as the black grandmother. Ethel Barrymore is her match as Miss Em. However, the central focus is on Jeanne Crain as Pinky, a negro of very light colour and hence the name. There was some criticism at the time for a white actress playing the role. However, Jeanne Crain was a top star at 20th Century Fox at the time and gives the role the edge of bitterness and sympathy. William Lundigan is the fiance who has to face prejudice in himself.
The film has an interesting plot, the well-educated black woman who returns home, the plight of blacks in the South, prejudice, local legislation and its prohibition of blacks to participate in full civic life. The film is interesting as well as emotional - and, with the limitations of its time, still stands up quite well as drama.
1.The significance of the film in the late '40s? A major studio producing a film about race relationships? The cast? The writers and director?
2.20th Century Fox production values, black and white photography, re-creation of the South? The significance of the cast?
3.The title, the focus on Patricia, her name, her racial status? The ambiguities of her situation?
4.Attitude towards race relationships at the time? Audiences' response to Pinky in its day, later? The contribution of this kind of film to breaking down prejudice - especially on the part of white audiences?
5.Jeanne Crain as Pinky - her story, return home, being mistaken for white - and then the police and the young men turning on her? Her love for her grandmother, her training as a nurse? The return home, bitterness, wanting justice for her grandmother? Her resentment towards Miss Em and the memories of the past? Her treatment in the town, the brutal attitude of the police first defending her and then knowing she was negro and turning against her? The police station, the kindly warning by the judge? Her planning to leave? Her compassion for her grandmother, the washing? Not telling her about Tom? The need for a nurse for Miss Em? Her resentment, the clash with her grandmother, her going because her grandmother asked? The dislike of Miss Em, doing her duty formally? Her care as a nurse, Miss Em's orders, her reaction? Her gradual growing in respect? Her amusement when understanding Miss Em and her cantankerous attitudes? The cousin and her chatter and Miss Em's comeuppance? The writing of the will? Miss Em's death? The arrival of Tom, telling him the truth, wanting to go away with him? His uncertainties? The will and her inheriting the house? Her decision to fight the case? Her winning the court case? The return to the house, wanting to fulfil Miss Em's will, do something with the house? Tom and his confrontation of his prejudice, his getting the position in Denver - and Pinky's reaction? Her decision to stay, accept the reality of her life, contribute? (And the previous clash with the doctor and his invitation for her to stay?)
6.The grandmother, her humble life, uncomplaining? Washing for people for decades, delivering it to their back doors? The hard work, the hard life, the poverty? Saving her money for Pinky's education? Glad to see her back? Her standing on her dignity and principles with Pinky? Her story of Miss Em's helping her when she was sick? Her devotion to Miss Em? The writing of the will? The meeting with Tom and her wariness? The inheritance and her being given the clothes? The court case and the lawyer trying to trap her - and her shrewdness about not reading private documents? The vindication of her belief in Pinky?
7.Miss Em, the cantankerous southern lady? Haughty, always happy to have her own way? The past and her treatment of Pinky? Her friendship with her grandmother, assisting her when she was sick? Dying, her friendship with the doctor, her attitude towards Pinky, commanding her to do things at whim? Pinky's reaction? The visit of her cousin and the chatter - and giving her bauble jewellery? Pretending to be tired? Not wanting drugs? Her writing of the will, the doctor's signature? Her death? The southern tradition - and yet friendship, compassion and understanding? Her gift to Pinky?
8.The cousin, the family, wanting Miss Em's inheritance, coming to chatter? Her haughtiness in the shop and demanding to be served before Pinky? The funeral? Her behaviour in the court, her arrogance, her memory, misinterpretations?
9.Tom, his love for Pinky, his not knowing the truth, coming south, the discovery, wanting to understand the prejudice in himself? His fears? His supporting her in the trial? His moving to Denver - and not wanting his parents to know about the inter-racial marriage? Pinky letting him go and his return home?
10.The people in the town: the police and their prejudice and brutality, laughing at the court case? The young men chasing Pinky? The kindly judge and his being persuaded to take her case, making the case in court? The people in the town - for instance in the shop and their serving the cousin first and charging Pinky extra money? The judge and his listening to the evidence, the performance of the prosecuting attorney? His strong decision in favour of Pinky? His wanting it to be just and it to be obeyed?
11.The portrait of the negroes in the South, the tradition, after slavery, lack of civil rights? A portrait of blacks in the southern states prior to the civil rights movement?
