Discover
Young (19-year-old) reggae and rhythm-and-blues singer Johnny Nash stars in this conventional coming-of-age story about a well-heeled, Afro-American teen trying to find his way in a white-man's world. The realities of that world hit Spencer (Nash) hard, and at first he looks for solace and comfort in the black community, especially since like most teens his age going to his parents for support or consultation is out of the question. In his search for identity and meaning, Spencer comes to see the family maid Christine (Ruby Dee) in a way he never did before, and an implied sexual relationship with this kind-hearted, older woman begins to awaken in him a different, more adult viewpoint on life and its traumas.
Original Release
12/01/1959
US Release
12/01/1959
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Johnny Nash | Spence Scott / Spencer Scott |
Estelle Hemsley | Gram Martin / Grandmother Martin |
Ruby Dee | Christine |
Frederick O'Neal | Lem Scott |
Beah Richards | May Scott |
Paulene Myers | Violet |
Frances Foster | Poppy |
Royce Wallace | Rose Thompson |
Sherman Raskin | Alan |
Frank Killmond | Gussie |
Directors
Writers
Louis S. Peterson, Julius J. Epstein
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Johnny Nash | Spence Scott / Spencer Scott |
Estelle Hemsley | Gram Martin / Grandmother Martin |
Ruby Dee | Christine |
Frederick O'Neal | Lem Scott |
Beah Richards | May Scott |
Paulene Myers | Violet |
Frances Foster | Poppy |
Royce Wallace | Rose Thompson |
Sherman Raskin | Alan |
Frank Killmond | Gussie |
Joe Sonessa | Johnny |
Del Erickson | Bobby |
Dee Pollock | Tony |
Bill Walker | Frank |
Lester Dorr | High School Janitor |
Roy Glenn | Minister / Minister at Gram's Funeral |
Bernie Hamilton | Bar Sharpie / Sharpie in Bar |
Smoki Whitfield | Bartender in Strip Club |
Gyuri Dévényi | The Girl in the Bar |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Burt Lancaster | Executive Producer |
Julius J. Epstein | Producer |
Editors
Year | Type | Category | Won |
---|
1960 | Golden Globe | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
1960 | Golden Globe | Best Film Promoting International Understanding | Nominated |