Pinky is a 1949 American drama film adapted from the
Cid Ricketts Sumner novel by Philip Dunne and Dudley Nichols
and was directed by Elia Kazan.
John Ford was originally hired to direct the film,
but was replaced after one week because producer Darryl F. Zanuck
was unhappy with the dailies.
Lena Horne and Dorothy Dandridge were considered for the lead role,
however, Zanuck chose to cast a white actress instead.
Released by Twentieth Century Fox, the film starred Jeanne Crain,
Ethel Barrymore, Ethel Waters, and Nina Mae McKinney.
User Review
QuoteDisplay MorePinky- Gentleman's Agreement Part 2 ****
3 February 2010 | by edwagreen (United States)
Outstanding 1949 film with director Elia Kazan matching his 1947 Oscar winner "Gentleman's Agreement." A very belated kudos for Mr. Kazan in tackling social issues, in this case racial prejudice.
What performances are depicted here. Jeanne Crain is the trained nurse who returns to the south and is immediately caught up in its worst form of bigotry. She is the granddaughter of the kind, wisely, illiterate woman who takes in clothing and sacrificed all so that her granddaughter could get ahead. Ethel Waters was so adept in her performance here. She is equally matched by Ethel Barrymore, as a crotchety woman, never forgiven by Pinky for a childhood incident, but ailing now and as a favor to Grandma Waters, Pinky agrees to take care of her.
What a social problem erupts when the Barrymore character dies and it is revealed that she left her property to Pinky. A cousin and a cousin by marriage contest the will in court. Evelyn Varden, as the heavy set, bigoted cousin-in-law is terrific and a scene stealer in every scene she appears.
This is an outstanding film depicting racial inequity and ultimate redemption.
William Lundigan is memorable as the doctor who loved Pinky, but could not marry her. He could not accept her way of life.
The film showed that there was anything but racial harmony in America. Notice the musical theme throughout the film is exactly the same as the music played at the beginning of "Gentleman's Agreement." Am sure that Kazan and 20th Century-Fox had plenty to do with that.