Pinky

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Cast & Crew

Jeanne Crain

Patricia "Pinky" Johnson

Ethel Barrymore

Miss Em

Ethel Waters

Pinky's Granny

William Lundigan

Dr. Thomas Adams

Basil Ruysdael

Judge Walker

Kenny Washington

Dr. Canady

Nina Mae McKinney

Rozelia

Griff Barnett

Dr. Joe McGill

Elia Kazan

Director

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Critic Reviews for Pinky

Audience Reviews for Pinky

• Feb 07, 2020

  "What's rational about prejudice?" This question, asked by "Pinky's" titular character to her fiancé summarizes the conflict, internal and external, of this excellent message film. In honor of such a ground breaking film, I wish I had more ground breaking commentary, but suffice to say this is a wonderful film dealing with such a negative repulsive subject and still worthy of consideration today. Now, many if not most of the technical aspects of Pinky would be different if filmed in this era, but those do not detract from the film's powerful message. As for messages, Pinky's tagline, "The poignant story of a girl who fell desperately in love," doesn't encapsulate the film at all. At its core, "Pinky'"s message concerns being true to who you are and standing up to bigotry no matter the consequences. The title character returns to the rural south in search of her true identity, despite a marriage proposal from a white doctor and the promise of a cushy life. In the end though, she becomes a tragic figure who regains her racial pride but loses the man she loves, who cannot understand Pinky's internal struggle. Its racial theme is treated in a fairly milquetoast manner by today's standards, but 1949 Hollywood was much more squeamish. I admit, though this go may far as any studio could go in 1949-so kudos to Daryl F. Zanuck. The choice of Jeanne Crain to play the title role is questionable to me, but the studio had to calculate white audience's attitudes. Dorothy Dandridge and Lena Horne, more authentic choices for the role of the mulatto Pinky, auditioned for the role. Both Ethel Barrymore as the aged white dowager and Oscar-nominated Ethel Waters, as Pinky's grandmother and conscience, are outstanding. DVD reviews must necessarily comment on the transfer's quality, and I assess this one to be very good. Many of the movie's sets will appear cheap to today's audience, but that standard of quality was acceptable in 1949 and does not detract from the film's message. In the final analysis Pinky deserves a 5 for its message and a 4 for casting and production values. It doesn't have the impact that "To Kill a Mockingbird" does, nor in my humble opinion does it quite measure up to "Gentlemen's Agreement" or "Crossfire" for 40s films depicting the evils of prejudice. It must have struck a chord with moviegoers; Pinky was Fox's top box office draw of 1949 and second-highest grossing film of that year.
  

  Super Reviewer
• Nov 28, 2018

  The title character, Pinky, is a woman returning to the south after going to school and getting her nursing degree up north. While sheâ(TM)s been light enough to â~passâ(TM) while away, sheâ(TM)s soon reminded of just how differently white people treat her once they realize sheâ(TM)s African-American. The film is thus a study in racism and a good one at that, with powerful early scenes giving us the minority perspective in incidents ranging from casual condescension to outright harassment â" and these come from all sides, including the men of the town, society women, and the law. Lest you think youâ(TM)ve seen all this sort of thing before, the film isnâ(TM)t always predictable, and Director Elia Kazan does a great job of finding a balance between making his points and telling a story. The resulting impression we get of the attitude of most of the white people includes a haughty feeling of superiority, distrust, and anger, and it feels highly realistic. Beneath it all we feel simmering danger, one that might be unleashed in horrible ways if the African-Americans donâ(TM)t keep in line, or otherwise reject the proposition that theyâ(TM)re simply inferior. There are several instances of this, including a near-rape, but the scene where Pinky and her grandmother have to walk through a group of sullen white people in a courtroom really stands out, and Kazan makes it all the more ominous by exercising restraint. Itâ(TM)s not all bad though; for example, we get this lovely, nuanced, and honest reaction from her fiancà (C), a white doctor who finds out about her racial identity only after coming south: âWhy I donâ(TM)t think Iâ(TM)m prejudiced. Iâ(TM)m a doctor and I hope Iâ(TM)m enough of a scientist not to believe in the mythology of superior and inferior races. It is a tricky business though. You never know what exists deep down inside yourself. I want to be absolutely sure that nothing like that exists inside of me.â? Regrettably, the role of Pinky is played by Jeanne Crain, a Caucasian, when both Lena Horne and Dorothy Dandridge were apparently interested. I say that for the obvious reason, that itâ(TM)s another instance of whitewashing, but also because Crain is a little wooden, and doesnâ(TM)t have the necessary spark to completely pull off the part (Oscar nomination notwithstanding). Dandridge would have been amazing. There is a small possible silver lining in the casting choice, in that in seeing how ludicrous it was for someoneâ(TM)s attitude to flip based on Pinkyâ(TM)s âblacknessâ?, perhaps it would take a shorter mental leap for some to extend that realization to the entire premise of judging others based on the color of their skin. The rest of the cast is stronger, with Ethel Barrymore leading the way. I also liked Frederick Oâ(TM)Nealâ(TM)s performance as a lazy but perceptive neighbor, and Ethel Waters delivers a lot of heart as her grandmother. The film also has elements of feminism. We see it in the older generation, with Barrymoreâ(TM)s character acerbic but tough as nails, and Waters as a hard worker and survivor who sacrifices for others. We also see it in Pinky when her fiancà (C) tries to take her away from it all. How she asserts herself is wonderful â" she doesnâ(TM)t want to lose her identity, her self â" both as a person of color and as a woman - even if she is in love. The bravery and the strength displayed is heartwarming. The film feels ahead of its time for 1949, presaging the Civil Rights movement of the 1960â(TM)s, and the continued struggle all the way up to the present day. As Pinkyâ(TM)s lawyer puts it, âYour honor, this is a small country town. We've always thought that what happened here was our own private concern. This is no longer true. Just as it is no longer true that our country as a whole can exist entirely to itself.â? What a nice message this is, this acknowledgment of something larger to consider, and a signal that the times needed to change.
  

  Super Reviewer
• Feb 05, 2014

  An early and slightly dated look at racism. It was probably great for its time and kudos to the maligned Kazan for bringing it forward. Don't expect too much and you will enjoy it.
  

  Super Reviewer
• Nov 08, 2012

  Sad to see a white actor play the part of a light skin black women, But excellent story line showing life in the United States, most people think it was limited to the south which it was not. A movie that will never be seen on TV today and should be watched by all. Any film lover should enjoy this. 4 stars
  

  Super Reviewer