Plot: Shelley Winters won an Academy Award for her searing performance as Rose-Ann d'Arcy in A Patch of Blue. The star, however, is not Winters but Elizabeth Hartman, cast as d'Arcy's blind, sensitive daughter, Selina. A venomous prostitute, Rose-Ann treats both Selina and grandfather Ole Pa (Wallace Ford) like dirt.
Fortunately, Selina finds a way out via the kindly Gordon Ralfe (
Sidney Poitier), who befriends
Hartman and tries to open up doors for her previously closed by her selfish mother. Despite the objections of the bigoted Rose-Ann and of Gordon's brother Mark (
Ivan Dixon), a bond stronger than physical love is forged between Gordon and Selina. Brilliantly avoiding gooey sentiment throughout,
A Patch of Blue was adapted for the screen by director
Guy Green, from the novel
Be Ready with Bells and Drums by
Elizabeth Kata. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide.
