Pinky (1949)

67% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(947 ratings)

Elia Kazan directed this, one of Hollywood's early attacks on racism, starring Jeanne Crain as Patricia "Pinky" Johnson. Patricia is a light-skinned black woman who is studying nursing at a New England medical institute. A white doctor, Thomas Adams (William Lundigan), has fallen in love with… More Elia Kazan directed this, one of Hollywood's early attacks on racism, starring Jeanne Crain as Patricia "Pinky" Johnson. Patricia is a light-skinned black woman who is studying nursing at a New England medical institute. A white doctor, Thomas Adams (William Lundigan), has fallen in love with Patricia and wants to marry her, but Patricia refuses his proposal. Convinced their interracial union would never work out, Patricia believes Thomas would never be able to endure the acrimony that would be heaped upon their marriage. Patricia leaves New England to return to her childhood home in the South, where her grandmother (Ethel Waters) works for rich widow Miss Em (Ethel Barrymore). When Miss Em takes ill, Patricia cares for her. Upon Miss Em's death, it is discovered that she has bequeathed her entire estate to Patricia. Miss Em's family disputes the will because Patricia is black, and a courtroom battle ensues over the estate. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Elia Kazan
Written By: Dudley Nichols
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Sep 29, 1949 Wide
On DVD: Jan 10, 2006

Critic Reviews

Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Vivid, revealing and emotionally intense.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
The results are uneven, though fitfully interesting.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Kazan's liberal tale of a black girl passing as white is rather simple and Jeanne Crain is weak in the lead, but it's worth seeing Zanuck's message picture for the strong acting of the two Oscar-nominated Ethels (Waters and Barrymore).
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
This is a groundbreaking film despite its absurdly stiff way at looking at how blacks and whites interact.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This is a mature film, with great respect for the humanity of people who are able to transcend social barriers and care for one another.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
Pinky is 1949's Patch Adams, doing for half-breeds what that film did for assclowns.
Diana Saenger, About.com
An excellent film of important historical significance and still enjoyable to watch.
, Film4
Made at a time when racial discrimination was as much a part of the fabric of American life as apple pie, this is an early stab by Hollywood at countering racism.