Sunday, April 1, 2018

CAFTAN WOMAN'S CHOICE: ONE FOR APRIL ON TCM


The Christophers, the Christian inspirational group founded in 1945 by Father James Keeler established their awards to honour writers who "affirm the highest values of the human spirit" in 1949. The ongoing awards recent winners include the pilot for the popular series This Is Us.


Educator and writer Mary Elizabeth Broman (1924-1967) was awarded in 1951 for her short story See How They Run. which was published in the Ladies Home Journal. Its subsequent adaption for the movies by MGM made Ms. Broman the first African-American female admitted to the Screen Writers Guild.

Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte
Jane Richards, Mr. Williams

Dorothy Dandridge stars as Jane Richards, a rookie teacher at a rural school. Jane is filled with her newfound knowledge, and a mix of assuredness and worry as she approaches her first class. Harry Belafonte plays Mr. Williams, the school principal who is supportive while tempering Jane's enthusiasm with reality.

Special among Jane's students is troubled student C.T. Young played by Philip Hepburn. C.T. has spent two years each in his previous classes and Jane hopes to discover what makes C.T. click and make this his first class to successfully complete in one year.

Philip Hepburn, Dorothy Dandridge
C.T. and Miss Richards

C.T. may not be a happy student, but he is a very good boy; helpful at home, an entrepreneur who raises bees to sell honey, a talented artist. Nothing Jane tries seems to reach C.T. as the only person he relates to is lovely Tanya Hamilton played by Barbara Ann Sanders (Randolph). The kids are sweet on each other and their devotion is a charming thing to observe. 

Through the course of the school year, including Sunday School, we get to know the class with all their cliques and quirks. The funny kids, the silly kids, the well-to-do and the have-nots. All are impacted by the joyfulness of holidays and treats, and an unexpected tragedy. The ensemble of child actors playing Miss Richard's students is outstanding and truly touching.
Dorothy Dandridge, Philip Hepburn, Barbara Randolph
Miss Richards, C.T., and Tanya

Bright Road has a brief 68-minute running time and the movie features musical interludes from our talented leading players. Dorothy Dandridge leads her class in a version of Church in the Wildwood, and Harry Belafonte's principal relaxes after hours with his adaption of the folk song Suzanne. The score by David Rose is light-hearted and vivacious, and once the movie is seen, is an integral part of the memory.

The director, Canadian born Gerald Mayer (a Louis B. relative) directed few movies (Dial 1119 and The Sellout are often on TCM), but a lot of episodic television from Mission Impossible to Mannix to Room 222, etc. The cinematographer is Oscar winner for An American in Paris, Alfred Gilks.

Chief among the supporting cast are Maidie Norman as Tanya's mother and Robert Horton as a doctor. Their roles are small, yet important and both take their opportunity to shine. 

Bright Road is a "little" movie that makes its way into the viewer's heart and becomes one of those cherished film experiences. You can't help but come to love the children of the class, and admire the caring Miss Richards.


TCM is ringing the bell for classes at 9:45 am on Friday, April 13th for their screening of Bright Road. Don't be late.


Bonus:


The following year our leading players co-star in Carmen Jones for which Dorothy Dandridge would receive an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.








8 comments:

  1. I wish I still had TCM. This sounds like a lovely film. Dorothy Dandridge deserved so much more and better. An utterly beautiful and talented actress.
    If you haven't already, watch Carmen Jones. I might write about that, talk about the ultimate femme fatale.

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    Replies
    1. I have seen Carmen Jones, a couple of times, and it is even more impressive when you see the sweet characters Miss Dandridge and Harry Belafonte play in this little movie.

      I like your take on Carmen as the ultimate femme fatale. When folks talk about the first film noir, I can't help but think of the first time I saw DeMille's 1915 version of Carmen with Geraldine Farrar and Wallace Reid. My reaction was, "This is film noir! A guy takes the wrong road because of a girl and it leads to murder. What else would you call it?"

      Perhaps Bright Road is on some online site. Fingers crossed.

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    2. Wow, I didn't even know there is a 1915 version. An opera, without music.:) I'd love to see it.

      While we're at it, the opera film Carmen (1984) with Plácido Domingo and Julia Migenes is good, and so is the 1983 Flamenco version, a Spanish film.

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    3. Any time I get to see or listen to Domingo, I am in Heaven. Yes, a silent Carmen! And it stars a famous soprano. It really works. The story is told in about an hour and folks like us can imagine the arias in the appropriate spots.

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  2. Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte are magical together. I like this movie maybe even a little more than Carmen Jones. I didn't know any of the backstory, so I really enjoyed your article.

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    Replies
    1. There's nothing particularly likable about Carmen and Joe, and their tortured relationship, no matter how brilliantly presented. On the other hand, what's not to like about Miss Richards and Mr. Williams? If we have time to spend with Dorothy and Harry, I'd give Bright Road a notch above Carmen Jones without denying the performances.

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  3. Lovely heartwarming review Paddy, adored your review and you make this one sound such a treasured find. Thanks.

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