1949 was an incredible year for films when it came to race. Several movies that year were ahead of their time when it came to dealing with black America and prejudice. Up until I saw this film, I would have said the best of these is "Intruder in the Dust"...a film about a Southern town intent where the mob was intent on lynching a innocent black man. "Pinky" is a film about a very light-skinned woman who passes for white. And, "Lost Boundaries" is the sad story based on a real family where a very light-skinned black doctor faces discrimination from all sides.
When the film begins, Dr. Carter (Mel Ferrer) has just graduated from medical school. He's also just received an internship at a Southern black hospital (in those days, hospitals in the South were segregated)...but when he arrives, the internship is rescinded because he is so light-skinned. Having few other options, Carter finds himself moving to a New England town and eventually taking a job....and not telling anyone he's not a Caucasian (despite appearances)....though it pains him not to be publicly proud of his heritage. It's simply because he can't find work as a 'black' doctor. Eventually his understandable decision to pass comes to light.
This story is based on the lives of Albert and Thyra Johnston and is essentially true, but with a few change (such as names and places). It's interesting because this story and the real life folks were New Englanders...defying the stereotype that prejudice was just confined to the South in the old days.
While I had a few minor gripes about the story (such as how everyone back in the 1920s dress and look like folks from 1949), there isn't a lot to dislike about this film. It honestly deals with race in a way that is even, possibly, more open than we are willing to talk about it today. The film doesn't shy away from offensive language...which I think helps the story because it clearly shows how ugly racism is. A terrific and seldom seen film that needs to be seen. I particularly liked hearing from a black man in the story who said that he hated the way whites were 'overly polite' when around him...a strange and covert type of racism. Unflinching and exceptionally well made...and, not surprisingly, a film not made by any of the major studios.
By the way, some today might complain that the blacks posing as whites were all played by white actors. However, for 1949, this sort of thing simply wasn't very likely...and so, considering everything, I appreciate the casting decisions and understand this.
When the film begins, Dr. Carter (Mel Ferrer) has just graduated from medical school. He's also just received an internship at a Southern black hospital (in those days, hospitals in the South were segregated)...but when he arrives, the internship is rescinded because he is so light-skinned. Having few other options, Carter finds himself moving to a New England town and eventually taking a job....and not telling anyone he's not a Caucasian (despite appearances)....though it pains him not to be publicly proud of his heritage. It's simply because he can't find work as a 'black' doctor. Eventually his understandable decision to pass comes to light.
This story is based on the lives of Albert and Thyra Johnston and is essentially true, but with a few change (such as names and places). It's interesting because this story and the real life folks were New Englanders...defying the stereotype that prejudice was just confined to the South in the old days.
While I had a few minor gripes about the story (such as how everyone back in the 1920s dress and look like folks from 1949), there isn't a lot to dislike about this film. It honestly deals with race in a way that is even, possibly, more open than we are willing to talk about it today. The film doesn't shy away from offensive language...which I think helps the story because it clearly shows how ugly racism is. A terrific and seldom seen film that needs to be seen. I particularly liked hearing from a black man in the story who said that he hated the way whites were 'overly polite' when around him...a strange and covert type of racism. Unflinching and exceptionally well made...and, not surprisingly, a film not made by any of the major studios.
By the way, some today might complain that the blacks posing as whites were all played by white actors. However, for 1949, this sort of thing simply wasn't very likely...and so, considering everything, I appreciate the casting decisions and understand this.