Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? (1967) * FIRST TIME WATCHING * reaction & commentary

[@grahamers]

Ashleigh at the start; So does the title mean there is an unwelcome or unexpected dinner guest? Me: You might say that. Ashleigh: Since this came out in 1967, was there a stink about an inter-racial couple? Me: You might say that. Ashleigh 30 second later: "Did I guess the plot of this movie?!?!?!" Me: Yes, young Padawan! You have become strong in the cinematic force!

[@StaciaAmnaber]

🤣🤣🤣

[@mideon84]

😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆 Oh my gawd! I'm crying! I'm laughing like a ass! (Braying laugh)

[@Sam_on_YouTube]

I was amused by her first guess, that it would he like a National Lampoon thing.

[@pete_lind]

Inter racial marriage was illegal , when they were filming this movie and was still illegal in several states , when this was in movie theatre . Spencer Tracy was sick and died before movie came out , Katherine never did go and see this movie , for that reason . One other movie that change legislation was a comedy , Mother , Jugs & speed 1976 , after that all hospitals must threat ER cases ... politicians still had a half a braincell. And with phones , you had to remember numbers ,or have a rolodex , i still have a Nokia modem with 10 number memory , pre internet era , had to know server numbers .

[@Sam_on_YouTube]

@@pete_lind Not quite. Loving v. Virginia came out 6 months before the movie. It was illegal in 17 states at the time of filming, but not when it was released.

[@davidwalter2002]

Spencer Tracy was (literally) at death's door when he performed that final scene. It was the last scene he ever filmed. It took a week to shoot, and when he was done, he got a standing ovation from the cast and crew. He died 17 days after filming was completed. The tears Katharine Hepburn is shedding in the background are real tears; she knew how sick he was, and that he didn't have much longer to live.

[@mattp.3949]

Rest in Peace, Spencer Tracy (1900-1967)

[@spikeysnack]

Also it was probably extra emotional because both Tracy and Hepburn were secretly bisexual, and that was still so underground they could not even hint at it. Only in the last few years has it been more than a Hollywood insider secret, and back page rumor. So yeah, a lot lot lot going on here. This was a hit play for years, and it is amazing and wonderful to get such great actors to do the movie. Tracy & Hepburn had been doing movies together since the early 1940s.

[@dennytaylor1005]

Spencer Tracey's monologue at the end is just incredible. This has been on my top 3 movies of all time list.

[@vovindequasahi]

Yeah and he sure didn't show it either. One of those old-school REAL MEN actors. All we got left now is Clint Eastwood, basically.

[@harryballsak1123]

@@vovindequasahi Clint Eastwood is bi-sexual?

[@NoHandleGrr]

Ashleigh, the Supreme Court decision that "interracial" marriage can't be illegal in the U.S. -- at the time, 16 states (the South) made it illegal and always had -- only came down in June 1967. Loving v. Virginia. Richard and Mildred Loving. Which was in the middle of shooting this movie. So of course it was deeply "shocking" to the audience. The entire movie is about how "shocking" it is for the audience to deal with an interracial couple. It's the point of the movie. Also, you've never heard of Katherine Hepburn? She won four separate Academy Awards for Best Actress. Nobody has done that since. The American Film Institute named her the " greatest female star of classic Hollywood cinema." Fame is so fleeting. Spencer Tracy was equally well-known, and of course the two of them were a couple for the last decades of their lives. There are so many 1930s and 1940s and 1950s movies you need to see.

[@NTLBagpuss]

Yeah and I would be concerned that it stays legal, considering it is based on the same ruling as Roe vs Wade was. It isn't likely to change anytime soon, but Justice Clarence Thomas said they should look Griswold vs. Connecticut, the 1965 ruling in which the Supreme Court said married couples have the right to obtain contraceptives; Lawrence v. Texas, which in 2003 established the right to engage in private sexual acts; and the 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which said there is a right to same-sex marriage. All of which depend on the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides a fundamental "right to privacy", which they overturned in Roe vs Wade, because right to abortion was not "deeply rooted in this Nation's history or tradition".

[@raydonahue1978]

@@NTLBagpuss Loving v. Virginia being overturned would not be terrible.

[@NTLBagpuss]

@@raydonahue1978 It would be for Justice Clarence Thomas, unless he's worked it out that it would be cheaper than divorce. (Secret motivation perhaps?)

[@Dularr]

@@NTLBagpuss Which is the point. Everything you mention was covered under the equal protection clause. Which is why Roe was always considered a questionable ruling.

[@Dularr]

Your information is incorrect. Miscrgenation was illegal throughout the country. Only a few states did not have miscrgenation laws. On the west coast the law was used restrict Asian marriage. In the south it was about restricting mix-race individuals from marriage. In the north it was used to scare the states that freed slaves would overrun the cities and take over the large cities.

[@grantbowen1018]

1967 was a great year for Sidney Poitier because not only was he in this movie, but he was also in what many consider to be his most iconic film "In the Heat of the Night" as Mr. Virgil Tibbs. Definitely another film for you to watch, Ashleigh!

[@theplanetruth]

“They call me Mr pig! Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!” Poombah

[@Blazingstoke]

YES!! _In the Heat of the Night_ is an amazing movie that everyone should see!

[@kuminiac]

Thirded. Do eet.

[@OllieByGolly]

yep.... as well as "To Sir, with Love". We need to make Ashleigh cry more! :D

[@chetstevens4583]

@@OllieByGolly "Most" iconic I think has to be To Sir With Love but you can't go wrong watching anything with Sidney in it.

[@Crazyivan777]

"Don't speak, Hillary. Just go." Your reaction to that being the most polite 'f-you' ever is spot on. Hepburn had a gift.

[@TheScarecrow78]

Ashleigh you have to remember that this couple wouldve had to face real physical danger just being a couple. If you think racial tensions are high now thats nothing compared to what was happening in the 60s.

[@ajvanmarle]

And keep in mind that there are still schools that hold segregated proms. Also, they did a race-swapped remake not too long ago. It wasn't a good movie, but nobody claimed that it was unrealistic that a white man could get in trouble with his boss over marrying a black woman. The fear of miscegenation runs incredibly deep.

[@gracehinds6283]

Exactly, Ashleigh's response is from the perspective of youth, which is fine; however, it is not how the world functioned, especially in the 1960s. Hello, Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated by white supremacists during that time period. I agreed with the mothers; however, the fathers were not being unreasonable, their children were actually pursuing a relationship that could have gotten them killed.

[@islajadepierre9060]

Yes, its crazy interracial marriage was illegal. My uncle married my aunt who is mixed race ( and white passing) back in the 70s in the south. My aunt has many horrific stories of things that happened to them at the hands of others including my uncle being beaten by cops after being followed around their town, because he thought he was " good enough" for a white woman. They are still married decades later. The parents in the movie, it seems they were more scared of what could happen to them at the hands of others.

[@Gathbard]

Spencer Tracy was terminally ill during the production of this movie, and everybody on the set knew it. He and Hepburn were in a very long lasting secret/not so secret relationship with each other, and she would watch over him like a hawk during the whole shooting, worrying it would be too much stress for his body to take. When the time came for his final monologue everybody was very tense, because it would be very taxing for him and he could most likely only afford one take, so multiple cameras were set to capture different angles and give more space to fix it with editing, if needed. Then he just went out and nailed it. It is still one of the most moving monologues in cinema history, mostly for the time this came out, but also because of how much of what he was saying to his wife in the movie, he was also saying to the actress playing the character. It makes me a bit teary eyed every time I see it.

[@ArthurSB73]

And the fact that Spencer died between film wrapping and release

[@melenatorr]

@@ArthurSB73 Agreed.

[@less_likely]

@@ArthurSB73 he passed less than 3 weeks after filming ended. He also didn’t do any movies for 4 years prior due to his health

[@denanebergall5514]

Katherine said in an interview that she was never able to watch the movie. It was just too hard.

[@melenatorr]

@@denanebergall5514 FYI, there's a little metal bust of Tracy on his desk in the movie, you see it early on. Hepburn made it.

[@GF_Baltar]

RIP Sidney Poitier, who passed away in January of this year at the age of 94. He was a national treasure, starring in some of the most classic films of the 60's (such as To Sir, with Love; A Patch of Blue, and In the Heat of the Night). In 1964 he became the first Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. A true legend.

[@michaelevans1193]

This movie came out in the same year that Loving vs Virginia was decided. The Loving (perfect last name for this) case was the landmark case where the Supreme Court ruled that laws banning interracial marriages were unconstitutional. Richard and Mildred Loving had married in Washington, DC in 1957 before returning home to Virginia. They were arrested in 1958 for violating Virginia’s “Racial Integrity” Act . They plead guilty and were forced to move to DC. Inspired by Dr King, she contacted the Attorney General (Robert Kennedy) for his help. RFK referred her to the ACLU, who took the case. The final decision was unanimous by the Supreme Court, with Chief Justice Earl Warren having written the opinion.

[@josephandreano2708]

They made a movie about it in 2016. Called "Loving". Currently on Netflix.

[@paul16451]

Yes and that was the most recent term of the Supreme Court that still had a liberal majority. Thankfully.

[@SnappingTurtle801]

@@josephandreano2708 Good movie.

[@markhamstra1083]

At the time of the Loving decision, 25 states had anti-miscegenation laws, including Tennessee. In California, where the movie is set, the anti-miscegenation law had only been invalidated by the state Supreme Court in 1948, less than 20 years before this movie was released.

[@lisakaz35]

Wonder how Clarence Thomas will take that case coming up again.

[@christinadoxstader3004]

I've always believed that what Spencer Tracy's issue isn't that her fiancee is black but he knows all the difficulties they are going to face. Yes, he has his own racist thoughts and ideas but I truly think that he is actually more concerned about his daughter's happiness and that he doesn't think she can be happy with him because of how they will be treated by society. It's certainly a complicated story and one that still happens to this day.

[@gabrieles4564]

Exactly, I thought it didn't take a genius to get it, then I watched this reaction.

[@marennicholson5444]

Yes interracial marriage was illegal in many states hence the Loving case. This was a big deal back then. My father in the 80’s sat my sisters and I down and said if we ever brought home a man who wasn’t white we shouldn’t bother ever coming back. Damn shame he didn’t live long enough to see my sister’s interracial marriage and family. When my mother saw my niece for the first time she said “your father is rolling in his grave”. That was only 9 years ago. Love Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in this movie. It was his last performance.

[@Vereynique]

Watched this with my parents in the 80s and asked them what they would say if I married a black man. Daddy's said if I loved him fine but to ask myself if we were strong enough to tolerate the reactions of others. My parents were never racist and raised us to love all people.

[@davidd6759]

I remember my conservative, Catholic father saying in the early 80's to us kids (1 girl, 3 boys): don't bring home a black and don't be gay. Yup. That shit is real and not that long ago. He really never changed his entire life. Sad.

[@LOTRFAN33]

@@davidd6759 Why bring up conservative and Catholic like they are "requirements" for racism (for the gay part, maybe). I have seen plenty racism coming from liberals.

[@tree6787]

My grandma said the same thing to never bring home a man that wasn't White ,so Christmas day I brought home a woman that wasn't White.😊

[@kennethfharkin]

One of my cousins, 20 years my senior, brought a girl who was different to my grandfather's house in New York around 1980 and was told to get her out of there. It wasn't a skin-color or religion issue. Grandpa was born in Belfast Ireland and came here in 1905 and the girl was English. The old man was PISSED OFF. Issues such as that, race, etc. take time to overcome, literally generations. You do not have to agree with someone born and raised in an entirely different era but it is moronic to think their views will be the same as yours in the current world. Hepburn and Tracey's roles here were brilliant in that their greatest concern was the troubles the couple would face. They were not racist but they knew the world largely was. Even the reaction from the housekeeper was not unexpected so deeply ingrained were these ideas. If anything the daughter was a complete airhead for failing to recognize the difficulties. I am not saying not to face them, but at least recognize them.

[@nullunit]

My parents got together in high school during the '60s. They hid the relationship from most friends and family until pretty much the point My mom got pregnant. When her parents found out she was pregnant out of wedlock, with a black man's child, They moved, didn't tell her where they moved to, and didn't talk to her for about a year. On the other side of it, my father's parents were only worried about the danger he was in by being with a white woman, and this was in California, Not the deep south. And then by extension they were worried about how their children would be accepted in society. All of that was in the last 50 years. It is why whenever I see people online or in the news talking about post-racial this, and mad about the truth of our racist history being taught in schools, I can't be bothered with their b*******.

[@Deathbird_Mitch]

I remember how things were for interacial couples even when I was in high-school 1993-1997 in NYC.

[@brachiator1]

The parents of a junior high school friend had to get married in another state because they were an interracial couple. I remember thinking that crap like that was wrong and stupid. But it was fun growing up during a time of change. And optimism.

[@esecallum]

It's about the future. some people think the future means the end of history. Well, we haven't run out of history quite yet. Your father called the future - "the undiscovered country". People can be very frightened of change.

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

Well in schools it’s inappropriate and dwells on the past when we should look to the future. We already know about this, what good is it if all we do is make the white folk feel bad. It doesn’t solve shlt

[@carleton4199]

"Guess Who's Coming To Dinner" is an outstanding movie, a classic. You should check out "Imitation of Life", the 1959 version with Lana Turner, Sandra Dee, and Juanita Moore.

[@davidpumpkinsjr.5108]

When Tilly says that John isn't that good-looking, I'm like "Lady, he's Sidney Poitier, he's DAMN good-looking. I wish I was even half as handsome or talented as that guy." Sidney Poitier had a presence that commanded the audience's attention, even if he wasn't the main character or the focus of the scene. See "Blackboard Jungle" (1955), where he was in a supporting role but dominated every scene he was in. If you like this one, check out "In the Heat of the Night", released the same year as this film. It also deals with racial issues, but in a very different setting (it's a murder mystery).

[@nullunit]

I liked seeing Tilly's reaction, it reminded me of how Stephen reacted to Django in Django Unchained. My father still get question from old friends of "Why did you get with that white girl?" 55 years later. The prejudice goes both ways, we learned our racist lessons well.

[@TimpossibleOne]

You know that's why she had to say it. Everybody knew he was handsome.

[@torontomame]

He was mesmerizing in every scene of To Sir With Love. One of the most amazing films I've watched.

[@Deathbird_Mitch]

The old [and your ugly too] just to dig the knife in a little more. 😅

[@claireroberts5465]

Have you watched To Sir with Love movie 🎬 it was awesome

[@Jake-d8d]

One of the greatest screenplays ever written. That final monologue delivered by Spencer Tracy is a masterpiece.

[@frednich9603]

Spencer Tracy...Sidney Poitier...Katharine Hepburn...GIANTS of cinema history. Thank you for reacting to this, and I'm glad you loved it. Another Sidney Poitier movie you would love is Lilies of the Field or Blackboard Jungle.

[@MsWaif]

I adore Lilies of the Field!

[@frednich9603]

@@MsWaif AAA-aa-aamen!

[@carolyn8073]

Definitely watch Lillies of the Field! Sydney was such a handsome man

[@roberthughes2402]

And In The Heat Of The Night.

[@adobbs92117]

“To Sir with Love” is another great Sidney Poitier movie !

[@courtneywallace871]

I think her father’s biggest concern was the harassment they and their children would face.

[@moeball740]

This has a personal feel for me. As we know, when this film came out in 1967, this country still had states outlawing interracial marriage up until the Loving case. When I say outlawing, I don't just mean states didn't legally recognize your marriage in terms of property rights and such. Here's an example: my wife had an uncle who was a soldier in WWII. He got shot in the leg and ended up in the hospital. While there he was very lovingly tended to by a nurse. As often happened in those days, nurse and patient fell for each other pretty hard and eventually got married after the war. Problem was, however, he was a white guy from Ohio and she was a black woman from Mississippi. Not only did her home state not recognize the marriage, it was made clear to them that if they so much as set foot in her home state they would be arrested and jailed. That's how much they hated the idea of interracial marriage in the deep South at that time. So he never saw his in-laws unless they came and visited the couple in Ohio. So this was a very real thing.

[@Wuffskers]

Sidney's rant at his father is so good, and even though it has a pretty racialized context here I think the things he said are very broadly applicable to a lot of parent child dynamics even still today and that scene happened 55 years ago. Also the dad's interaction with the waitress reminds me so much of my grandad, just a weird old man coming up with an excuse to talk to a pretty young lady even though she's clearly uninterested lol.

[@melissastapleton5384]

I’ve never been willing to watch this. Having married a black man AND having racist parents, it just hit too close to home. BUT, I’m genuinely enjoying it with you Ashley. You’ve taken the anxiety away and made me laugh at a movie I would never have watched. Thank you sweetie. I truly appreciate you. 💕 (but your reaction to Fried Green Tomatoes is still my favorite, watched it like 50 times 😁). To your comment that you can’t believe that they were having such a hard time with it…my dad cried when I told him I was pregnant, and I was 32, and we had been together for 12 years. My dad never cried, but he cried because I was having an interracial child. My dad died a few weeks after that. I always blamed myself. He gave up on life. But I have a gorgeous, intelligent, kind, compassionate 17 year old boy who I adore and am so thankful for. I wouldn’t trade him for anything in the world. And my dad never got to see him, and how he looks exactly like my dad, color and all. Isn’t it ironic?

[@mideon84]

Same! Minus being married. Her reaction to Fried Green tomatoes is in my likes.

[@ajvanmarle]

Sadly, this film has that reputation, but the characters played by Tracey and Hepburn are far more nuanced than that. Yes, there is racism in it, but there is also genuine concern for their daughter because they understand what she will be facing for the rest of her life. And, let's be honest, if your daughter walked in and told you that she had married a guy she just met 10 days earlier, how would you react? Never mind race. I'd be worried no matter who he was.

[@melissastapleton5384]

@@ajvanmarle oh I totally agree with that. 10 days is way too short a time.

[@JasonON]

I grew up in Florida and one of my friends' fathers a grand something with the KKK. My friend, a blonde haired blue eyed kid only dated black and Latino women. Later he married a blonde haired blue eyed woman. His younger sister, however, ended up having two or three kids by two or three different black men. Turns out the KKK member still oved his grand children and dotes on them.

[@macmcleod1188]

Very happy for you!

[@keithmartin4670]

I second the motion to suggest you watch “In the Heat of the Night” soon. Mr Poiter was a class act all around. For Tracy and Hepburn together, I suggest “Adam’s Rib”. Then check out all the Oscar nominations earned by these great actors - too many to list in a brief comment.

[@richardpetty9159]

Adam’s Rib is a GREAT movie.

[@allantidgwell5624]

"I did not expect her to react like that" People of all races opposed miscegenation at the time, and some still do to this day. I have a relative who is mixed-race who still has issues with it. (She argues any children produced could experience a possible lack of feeling welcome in either racial community which then causes the child to be socially isolated. Which btw is the argument her father is making too) Heck, there are black nationalist groups in existence today who argue for segregation. Bigotry knows no color Yes Ashleigh, at one time it was illegal for people of different races to be married. It's why both fathers oppose it, they're being realistic and wanting to look out for the well-being of the kids. It's awful, but the world can be awful so they need to recognize it. You say they're gonna have a good life, but if they have their house burned down by people who hate them because of their love, that's not a good life. A marriage should be just about the two people who are married, but as the film shows, a lot of people make it their business Ashleigh is a good egg. She's hyper-focused on the 10 days and doesn't even care about race The statement about a mailman producing a doctor is a shit thing to say, but it's a position that could apply to anyone. If I'm a greasemonkey and I have a kid who is a mathematician that's a bit odd since most people work similar jobs to their family members. (Genetics is a factor is aptitudes) The priest was making a joke. It's distasteful, but I've heard it from all sides. It's harmless banter. You should hear the jokes American Indians tell Poitier's monolog is one of the greatest in cinema history While we should remember the past we shouldn't be beholden to the past. People were and are racist. But the people who aren't racist don't bear the burden of that sin. "The best a man can do is be good in his own time" ~ Larry Elder

[@richardb6260]

Larry Elder? Conservative talk show host and ardent Trump supporter Larry Elder? The one who called Trump a gift from God?The one who's been called "the black face of white supremacy"? That Larry Elder?

[@magicalmiller]

Boy, did you try and tap dance around not calling tilly racist.

[@allantidgwell5624]

@@magicalmiller I didn't tap dance around it at all. I actually argued most of the people in this film were racist by modern standards. Do you need to see the word to understand that or can you learn how to read what's actually being said?

[@bigpace]

@@magicalmiller did you just call him boy? Why so racist.

[@brownpapi2634]

Sounds about WHITE

[@CPTDoom]

I'm only in the first third of the reaction so far and I love that you can tell Ashleigh was raised a in a very different world than even someone like me who's Gen X. I was born the year this film was made, and my parents' mixed Catholic/Protestant marriage in 1962 had caused controversy. By the time my sister and brother-in-law got married (his family is from Puerto Rico) it was no big deal. Ashleigh just gets to the meat of the problem - "you've only known each other 10 days!"

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

I’m younger than she is and I’m not that ignorant.

[@FlippytheMasterofPie]

Something that’s important to contextualize is that by getting involved in an interracial marriage, they were genuinely putting themselves in physical danger. People got lynched for less. This was a very active time for the KKK. So yeah the father’s response has a lot to do with internalized racism but also a lot to do with fear for his daughter’s safety

[@jgw5491]

As was John's father to even a greater extent. That man might have know men who had been lynched for perceived sexual offences.

[@hildajensen6263]

As I get older, I do feel more and more for the parents. - I wouldn't be thrilled if my child wanted to do something both illegal and dangerous that will potential keep them on the fringe of society for the rest of their lives. Especially not for someone they've know for less than two weeks. Principels and doing the right thing is all well and good. - But a parent want their child to be safe and happy.

[@joeday4293]

Both the reactions of the parents were way less about how this couple would be treated in THEIR homes, but what they faced OUTSIDE their homes. Bless Ashleigh's heart - the world was already so integrated before she came along, she still completely missed the source of the parents' anxiety, even after Spencer Tracy spelled it out for her at the end. Which ought to tell you what a good job previous generations have done in blessing her with that blind spot.

[@magnificentfailure2390]

A lot of things you said today hit home especially hard for me. My wife and I have been married 34 years, and we never had kids. There are far too many people, still, who think that a marriage without children isn't really a marriage. We are also an interracial couple. I'm white and my wife is Native American. There are far too many people who think we shouldn't be together. Sometimes I am glad we didn't have children, so they don't have to deal with the stupidity. But, as I said at the start, we have been married for 34 years. None of my friends from school seem to have been able to stay with their spouses so long. None of her friends from school have, either. We seem to be doing something right. Maybe it's because we have always been forced to remember it's us against the world?

[@djstuntfox]

That is very beautiful you've been together so long. I think people, even now, have expectations on how a marriage is. People ASSUME a couple is of a same race and want children, but every couple is different and want different things. I'm a gay black male who doesn't want children and normally dates other races. I've dated all races. Black, white, Asian (that was fun), and Latinos. All I really wanted to say is I'm happy you are living your best life and wish you many years of happiness.

[@TheJulianFletcher]

I am sure that at the time this was made, many of the attitudes were different. This certainly applied to interracial relationships, but also about marriage & children. The fact that you find the concepts so difficult simply shows how much society has changed (for some people).

[@Blazingstoke]

IIRC, John was made to be almost "too good to be true" in how smart and kind and successful he is, so that there was no question that his race was the only thing Joanna's family were objecting to - because otherwise _of course_ there would be audience members at the time trying to rationalize it some other way. Incidentally, at the time the movie came out, there was an assumption that any film that had a black lead would be box office poison in the Southern states. _Guess Who's Coming To Dinner_ was so unbelievably successful even in the South that Hollywood never worried about that again.

[@garysmith3037]

Yes, there is still a lot of assumptions and prejudice in regard to people in the South.

[@jgw5491]

Yes. The fact that he was a very successful man put a different spin on the situation. If John had been a mailman like his dad, would her dad have gotten over his objections?

[@kellymoses8566]

@@garysmith3037 That is because they still to this day are racist as hell.

[@MacV216]

Yes, after 1967 no conversation was ever had in Hollywood about the viability of a black leading man in a movie. They got over that hump and never look back. Robert Townsend would celebrate the 20th anniversary of the milestone by making Hollywood Shuffle.

[@stevemattfis]

Each of the characters was a separate voice of the era. Each of the pairings was an insight to how the conversation of the day occurred. Those had to happen in the play (Oh right, this was a play first) to set the audience at ease with them feeling they were represented. All in all this was actually a fast paced movie given how many outlooks had to be explained.

[@LA_HA]

Yes, and the fact that it wasn't just one color that felt for or against the idea of the young couple getting married is downplayed via her "surprise" that the black people would be against the marriage while "outraged" that the white people were also against it. That holds over to today with everyone shrugging off the fact that there are plenty of black people who want what is essentially a new segregation of the races (especially dating and marriage) and yet keep finger-wagging at whites who generally don't feel that way. Ashleigh protested a bit too much about what was clearly outlined characterizations. We understood what side she was on, so it was a little awkward to watch. Then again, she Is Awkward Ashleigh, so there's that. haha. Overall, that was the only disappointing feature of her reaction. But, it happens. Everyone will live

[@bea3ce687]

@@LA_HA in the end the movie shows mostly non-racist people that have to face the consequences of racists still dominating their world, in some way. These people didn't think ill or less of the other person because of their skin color: they were terrified of what their life together would be, facing 1000 more adversities than the average young couple. It was a very natural (though coward) reaction: "I *wish* the world was different, but I don't want to risk *my child's safety* in order to acheive that transformation".

[@LA_HA]

@@bea3ce687 This is very true. However, hundreds of thousands of couples did it. Some weathered through. Others couldn't. But, because of the couples throughout The Country's history who fought the law and public opinion and won, everyone else can do it without a second thought

[@bea3ce687]

@@LA_HA as I said, though a very natural reaction, it is cowardly. But I belive we have to make a distinction between what people would do and risk for themselves, and what they would wish for their children. Mr Drayton is a good person. He raised his daughter to be completely free of prejudice (and let's admit it, the Prentices too did a very good job too, with their strong and confident son). In the end he sees through his fear for her future, because he realizes that if his wife had been black, he would have done the same exact thing, and would have wanted to be with her at all costs, risking everything. He wouldn't have given it a second thought. But our preservation instincts are much stronger with regard to our children, than ourselves. He accepted their decision in the end, and came to love and appreciate his son-in-law, but I bet he will spend many a sleepless night fearing for their safety. And he will sometimes wish that they had never met and that she had just found an "easy" and safe love. That's why this movie is so wonderful and nouanced: because they chose the pov of the parents. Let me put it this way: a brave man may charge into battle with just a sword in their hands, against an horde of enemies, and encourage his comrades to follow him. It is going to be a thousand times harder for that same man to tell their son: go and sacrifice yourself for the cause. The reason he had fighted like a madman in the first place, is probably in the hope that his children *didn't have to*, that there would be peace by then. For your children, you discover a whole new kind of fear.

[@LA_HA]

@@bea3ce687 Yes, which is why I said we're in agreement. Different movie, but it makes me think of the end of The Purge when people are discussing Purge Night on the radio. There was a father that called in and said how he always participated in The Purge and thought it was a genius idea. But, the night before, he lost all of his sons, and now he can't believe the same way. That's such a clear indicator of how humans take risks and will do things they don't want their progeny to go through. Rocky is another movie with that theme running in its background. It's natural. So, again, we're agreed on that point

[@dennislecompte6380]

One of the things I love about this movie, is that because Spencer Tracy was married to another woman, who he did not love romantically which is a whole different conversation, he never publicly proclaimed his love to Katharine Hepburn. They had been together for years at this point. The scene where he is talking to her and preclaiming his love to her was him finally doing that in public in a way. It’s one of the most movie speeches I’ve seen about love anywhere. I’m so glad you watch this movie.

[@gerstelb]

Extra meaningful because he was ailing at the time this movie was being filmed, and he died soon after it was completed.

[@michaelceraso1977]

know tht people love them but if stories (n there r mny) he ws drunk n went on benders for weekends evn fter being wth hepburn

[@lifetheslowway]

I’m glad you mentioned this. They were so in love with each other but never got to say it publicly. Adds so much more meaning to that moment. ❤️

[@fractaljack210]

In the Heat of the Night is a masterpiece. Poitier and Steiger are just fantastic.

[@mideon84]

THEY CALL ME MISTER TIBBS.

[@ajvanmarle]

True. That movie is absolutely brilliant.

[@charlestatum2511]

After carefully watching Spencer Tracey’s monologue, I am convinced that “pigmentation problem” means “not having the same skin color as each other”, not “being black is a pigmentation problem.”. That may be a generous interpretation, but in context, it occurs where he is talking about how others will react. This strongly suggests that he thinks people are overreacting to something as trivial (to him and nowadays to us as well) as the amount of pigmentation in one’s skin.

[@esecallum]

someone invent a melanin destroyer. solves problwm

[@shawnmiller4781]

I think that was the attention for the producers, which is one of the reasons they wrote Tilly’s part the way they did

[@lioninwinter9316]

If you like this there are MANY movies for you to see. "To Sir, With Love" stars Sidney Potier and will make you cry happy tears. There are several that star Tracey and Hepburn together. I'd start with either "Desk Set" or "Pat and Mike"

[@mideon84]

Definitely "To Sir, With Love". She'll love the moment in "Desk Set" where Spencer goes off script and makes Katherine and Joan break with laughter.

[@JohnMiller-zn9pf]

My personal favorite is "Lillies of the Fields "

[@petiteme1960]

To Sir With Love is my favorite Sidney Poitier movie....bar none.

[@mrkelso]

"Adam's Rib" is my favorite Tracy/Hepburn movie. The plot is sexism in that one, and at some point, Tracy actually spanks Hepburn. Blows my mind.

[@katrinaaponte4787]

I kept imagining how Ashleigh would react to Desk Set while watching this. Lol

[@stephanieellis5399]

As others have said before me, this was so much more than being in love or the parents being too concerned about race. And I think you hit on something unknowingly. The dangers of an inter-racial marriage were real. Spencer Tracey even mentioned early on that he was worried for her life. It was illegal in some states. What impact would it have on the couple who didn't "belong" in either camp. The question about children was legitimate: mix raced children also didn't "belong" in either group and were often ostracized. As an aside, I knew three sisters who were 3/4 white and 1/4 Taiwanese but growing up was still very difficult for them in the 20s and 30s and 40s and they decided, together, to not marry but focus on their careers and when they got old they would live together and take care of each other. They didn't want any potential children to have to struggle and suffer the way they had. They all lived in to their mid to late 90s. But getting back to what you noticed and was, I think, a part of the plot that was supposed to be ironic. The seriousness of the racial issue, as inconsequential as it might seem to us now, was such a dominant factor that the ridiculously short time they'd known each other was barely a blip on the radar of the four parents.

[@frednich9603]

was I the only one that hoped she would see Tilly and say "IT'S WEEZY!!!!"

[@johncampbell756]

A bit of a family film. Katherine and Spencer were in a long term relationship and the actress playing her daughter is really her niece. Three of our greatest actors and three of my favorites. Katherine still holds the record for most Oscars for Best Actress/Supporting Actress.

[@sldawgs]

Not only is this a great introduction to Sidney Poitier, but it is also a great introduction to the Spencer Tracy/Katherine Hepburn Hollywood Romance. They were in 9 movies together and had a long lasting, openly secret, affair that lasted 26 years until Mr. Tracy's death. Katherine Hepburn never watched this movie because it was Spencer Tracy's last before he passed away and it was too hard for her to watch it.

[@joegoss30]

It's interesting that there is much speculation now that Tracy & Hepburn were actually "beards" for each other. Their relationship was such an "open secret" even outside of Hollywood that something about it seemed off.

[@rubyslipper1939]

BUT.Spencer was married. He never divorced his wife because of their Catholic faith. They lived separately, but Spencer had affairs with several Hollywood actresses. Katherine was his greatest love. If he wanted a "beard", he could have just used his wife. Katherine was a modern, openly sexual woman in a time when it wasn't excepted. But she loved Spencer with a ferver. Everything she did, she did for him. The rumor of them both being gay came from a man who ran a whorehouse out of a gas station. He was a human trafficer. I wouldn't take his word on anything.

[@mariamart_0]

I would love to say this movie was very progressive and very liberal for its time period. And a lot of conservatives would be so angry to hear that this movie was ahead of its time. It was pretty progressive and very much important to understand that racism is a individual and collective issue in the United States and the rest of the globe. In many countries, it is still a individual problem. Since Joey is a White woman and John is a Black man, of course during its time period it would be seen as controversial for its time. And shock many individuals. But hatred is still around no matter what. We all need to love each other equally as human beings and love is LOVE REGARDLESS NO MATTER WHAT. ♥️💕♥️ just like 👩🏼♥️👨🏾‍🦱

[@blueroninstudios]

There should be more reactions to this film on KZbin, honestly. Other classics, too. Much as I love Marvel and Star Wars reactions, we cant forget the classics of all that came before. Rest in peace, Syndey Poitier, Kat Hepburn, and of course, Spencer Tracy. Some of the greatest actors of all time cast in this film. Thanks for the reaction, Ashley, and to whoever recommended it to Ash, thank YOU as well!

[@grifirnyc]

Every time you mentioned getting married after just 10 days, I had to laugh. My grandparents actually got married 10 days after they met. My grandfather was a door-to-door salesman, my grandmother was behind one of those doors. He asked her out, they were married 10 days later , and we're married for over 40 years before he passed away.

[@moeball740]

My parents got married after knowing each other a whole 2 weeks. It had disaster written all over it. All they ever did was fight. It actually was a relief when they finally divorced. Never should have gotten married in the first place.

[@TheRivrPrncess]

Eric Johnston So happy to hear of your parents successful marriage.

[@alankemper4068]

Hi Ashleigh, I have seen this movie a couple of times, once just recently. I agree completely with every thing you said. Let me tell my story. I am 69 yrs old, so this movie was not foreign to me. My father was a small town doctor in Texas. He would treat the local blacks for free because they had no money. I remember going to school to find a bushel basket full of green beans or corn or squash. There were six kids in my family so it was always used and appreciated. They were paying with what they had. This happened a lot. That meant something to me. I could site several other different cases like that. Before you think he was some sort of a saint bare in mind, he thought blacks should be with blacks and whites with whites. He was a just product of his generation, but he still cared for them as human beings. I was in elementary when they desegrated the schools. I remember him trying to warn my that there would be black kids in school, but they are the same just black. I understand this movie more than you know.

[@Rickhorse1]

Spencer Tracy was considered the greatest actor ever by most in Hollywood....especially everyone who worked with him. He was dying during the making of this film. The speech he gives in the last scene was his final day on the movie...the cast & crew all gave him a standing ovation & cried many tears. He died just 17 days after.

[@lazyperfectionist1]

"This movie is absolutely still relevant today." Oh, it's more relevant than _ever._ I mean there is a distinct _disconnect,_ here. This country granted the right to vote to black _men_ in _1870,_ _white_ women in _1920,_ but _black_ women couldn't vote until _1964,_ only _three years_ before this movie was _made._

[@gpk1982]

Wow… I didn’t know that. That is WILD!

[@anneb889]

Black women couldn’t vote til 1964….is that accurate? You’re telling me the 19th amendment was for white women only?

[@frednich9603]

you are correct: Carl Fredericksen from UP is modelled on Spencer Tracy's appearance in this movie

[@flar4282]

You're right that things were quite different not that long ago. Another great movie that showcases this well is _Hidden Figures_ . If you thought this movie was unbelievable in the attitudes and general practices of the time, _Hidden Figures_ will blow your mind completely!

[@LeighMet]

No Katherine Hepburn is not related to Audry. This was Spencer Tracy (The dad's) last film. Yeah they based the guy from Up on Tracy. He is trying to protect his daughter and her fiaiance from being put in a situation where they would be lynched. In many states interracial marriage was illigal for most of the twenith century. For your Christmas time movies may I suggest "The man who came to dinner" totally different from this movie.

[@powerbad696]

Leigh,the black man would be lynched,not the white woman. A lot of innocent black men were lynched in america's history. And I'm talking about after the slaves were freed in 1865-till-1969.

[@Deathbird_Mitch]

@@powerbad696 Some white women were abused, shunned, and a few even killed over being "tainted" or "traitors".

[@powerbad696]

@@Deathbird_Mitch The key word you use is FEW.From 1865 to 1965,did you know it was common for black women to be whipped in public-7-to-8-lashes. Southern heritage also included gang rapes and rapes of black women by white men. Also from 1865-to-1960s. And if it went to trial,an all white jury freed them/him.From the 1900s-till-the 1960s,black homes,churches,businesses were bombed by racist whites. These are domestic terrorists acts.Bin Laden,Saddum,the Taliban,AL Qeda,etc,etc ,.never,ever bombed black citizens,just our government and racist white citizens.The black communities biggest enemy is HOME-GROWN.Now,racist WS militiasand other hate groups are acting out on black citizens.Where's the hate crime bill at ???

[@matthalaboo6694]

As for Audrey Hepburn films, I recommend Wait Until Dark

[@LeighMet]

@@powerbad696 the white woman would be seen as a traitor and hung

[@Serai3]

This was Spencer Tracy's last film. His health had been bad for a while, but he came out of retirement to do this. (Mostly for Kate, I imagine.) He needed a lot of rest and help during the production, but he made it. That last scene where he has his big speech? Those tears in Kate's eyes are real - she's watching her husband taking the last steps of not only his career, but his life. He died very soon after shooting that last scene. They were one of the original Hollywood power couples, starring in wonderful films together. I recommend "Adam's Rib" for some good ol' fashioned 40's feminism. :) By the way, keep in mind that when this film was made, people were still being killed for interracial relations. Everyone in the film who's worried has a perfect right to be so, considering how things still were.

[@p.z.arnott2329]

Actually both never married. Yes they were in love in real life until his death, but never married as Tracy was still legally married to his estranged wife, Louise Treadwell.

[@KatSut1978]

I think the reason why they were so concerned that their kids were Married to each other was because at that time in history, people actually got blacklisted and even killed for being in an interracial relationship. It wasn’t just a matter of his or her skin color at that time. Seems ridiculous now but back then it could have very damaging or even deadly consequences depending on where you lived. It’s interesting to see how we’ve evolved away from that thinking or having to face those type of consequences for simply finding love.

[@christopherb501]

Here's hoping we won't have to face it again, all because of a handful of robed weirdos.

[@KatSut1978]

@@christopherb501 Robed weirdos have been around for centuries. Where you been?

[@christopherb501]

@Brad1980 Just you wait, jerkwad. They'll make a decision that cripples your wellbeing hard, any year now; just give 'em time.

[@christopherb501]

@@KatSut1978 The current crop are the most concerning they've been in some time. Where have YOU been?

[@profshad3429]

@Brad1980 why are you calling him a snowflake, buttmunch.

[@jackprather3471]

There’s a reason the “surprisingly progressive clergyman” is such a trope. Because it is in fact surprising.

[@desertrose777]

Katharine Hepburn is amazing in this film, highly suggest watching The Lion in Winter or The African Queen, she's a marvel in practically everything

[@macmcleod1188]

And "bringing up baby"!

[@katrinaaponte4787]

@@macmcleod1188 Probably my favorite Hepburn movie. She's so hilariously frustrating in that. My sisters and I always quote it to each other. Especially "David! David Look! I was born on the side of a hill."

[@desertrose777]

@@macmcleod1188 absolutely, her and Cary Grant are fun to watch together, someone mentioned the Philadelphia Story as well. She was truly great in everything she did

[@davidcave5426]

Having grown up in those years, this movie is a window into that time. Seeing this reminds me of it and shows me how much progress has been made overall, but there's still a long ways to go.

[@jamesmoyner7499]

This film was rather a breakthrough for the time showing an interracial couple. It is rather appropriate of you watching this since Sidney Poitier died at the age of 94 in January. You previously saw Sidney in the Robert Redford film Sneakers and he was the first Black man to win an Oscar in a leading role which was for Lilies of the Field which I highly recommend. This was Spencer Tracy's last role as he died a couple days after the filming of the final speech scene which is why Hepburn was crying as everyone knew he was dying. Katherine Hepburn and him had an over 20 year affair together despite him being married and the two of them did eight films together. Also it's funny how you brought up how he looks like Carl from Up because this was the inspiration behind the character's design. Katherine Hepburn won her third Oscar which was for this film and no Katherine and Audrey are not related. However Katharine Houghton who played Joey is the niece of Hepburn.

[@ElliotNesterman]

FWIW, this was Hepburn's second Best Actress Oscar. Her third came the next year for _The Lion in Winter._

[@jamesmoyner7499]

@@ElliotNesterman Thank you for the correction.

[@ElliotNesterman]

@@jamesmoyner7499 They were made so close together it's easy to confuse which came first.

[@cee8mee]

Ashleigh, you need to see the reaction of all the characters in this film through the lens of the time it was created. The way you see things now was not commonplace then. While it doesn't make their reactions any more palatable, it does make them more expected. There were still many laws and many people against interracial marriage at the time. That couple most certainly would have been in danger, as would their mixed race child, in many places. Their parents were rightly concerned about that, which I believe was her father's biggest fear- the safety of his daughter. Please don't judge them as if they are hateful, because I believe the concern was out of love. Tilly, too. She saw John as possibly something akin to a gold digger or fetishist, and her reaction was protective. We've grown as a society because of the people who came before us. Whether brave pioneers or those who would try to belittle them, the past generations have shaped the present.

[@orlandoawilliams799]

By the time this came out, movies with people falling in love in days was a standard trope. One of Tillie's "problems" was concern about blowback onto herself and her community from Katherine's and John's matrimony - it was still illegal in 17 states when this film started production.

[@cee8mee]

I think you're wrong about Tillie. She felt very protective of Joey and was worried that John's intentions were not honorable. That he would be using her to further himself. Her reaction wasn't about blowback, it was about keeping Joey safe.

[@ganapatikamesh]

Until you brought it up via mentioning Beetlejuice and The Birdcage, I hadn’t realized that there’s actually plenty of films with a scene that’s the uncomfortable dinner for the characters. Once I started thinking about it, it made me realize that there’s a film a friend had me watch several years ago that features four uncomfortable dinners. The film covers four different families who each gather for Thanksgiving. It’s called “What’s Cooking?” Great video reaction! When I watched this film as a kid (around eight or nine....my parents often rented older films and let my sister and I watch them). I am pretty sure I had similar reactions to it and my parents had to explain to me that interracial marriage was once illegal. And since I come from a family that’s very diverse (race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc), it did surprise me. Although I think I was probably much more surprised the first time I encountered people saying racist things to one of my cousins when they came to visit. Until that moment, I had thought that was in the past. I realized in that moment that it was still very much part of the present. My sister and I were furious, but my cousin told us to not engage adult who was saying what she was and that we should just leave the park where we were at and go back to the house. I remember getting back to the house and telling my paternal grandmother what had happened and she told me that a lot of time people aren’t so outright and explicit. That they conceal their bigotry with smiles and with kind words used as weapons. She told me to always remember that it’s not just what you say that matters, but the intent with which you use the words. As I got older I definitely understood that while we call these films and tv shows from this time as classics, they’re a lot closer to the present than other things we call classics like in literature (Shakespeare) or music (Bach).

[@NestorCustodio]

Sweet Jeebus, sometimes I forget what an *absolute chonker* Beans is. That's okay, kitty cat, you do your own thang!

[@StCerberusEngel]

This is such a damn good movie. Every time I see Mr. Poitier walk into the room and meet the parents for the first time, I always expect him to say "They call me Mister Tibbs!" Yeah, Tillie's main problem is that she's used to being treated as someone lower, and projects her anger onto those she sees as "Uncle Toms." Monsignor Ryan was my favorite character. He had the best lines.

[@ronni2664]

The thing I like about this movie is two-sided. First off that both set of parents, and the staff, had some racist tendency. And it shows that most, but not all, with a bit of time spend with each other and real talk without calling each other things or slurs (like they do nowadays), that you can come to a understanding. The second thing is that it shows the things from all sides, and have a more "equal" narrative, that we do not see in most modern movies, where one side is always the bad side and only one side has these prejudices. Here they both have the same amount just with each there reasons.

[@KBTibbs]

It's interesting. I think this film is lovely and tackling a very tough issue of the day (and regrettably still an issue). However, it did receive some (i think earned) criticism for ultimately showing the black parents as being less willing to accept the marriage. Some say that it was necessary to be gentle to white audiences to gain a measure of acceptability. Some say that the relative amounts of racism in this movie erases the how unequal racial treatment actually was and is in America.

[@cliffchristie5865]

I'm sure the producers of "Up" had Spencer Tracy in mind when they were designing the look of Carl Fredericksen. Tracy had been in failing health for years but, to his credit, had great respect for his craft and could summon all of his energy for a take, resulting in a final great performance. And the full "f.u. Hillary" speech is a very sharp bit of writing and remains one of the most quotable in film history. Lastly, another fine Poitier film - and from the same year - is "In The Heat Of The Night".

[@alanholck7995]

So, now you have seen Spencer Tracy twice (in Mad, Mad World her was the cop pursuing the crowd). Absolute legend. He passed less than 3 weeks after filming for Dinner completed.

[@DanaGeister]

I scrolled through as many comments as I could to make sure your questions were answered, and to see if I could add anything to the mix. I did a rather large paper on this film for college connecting it to the Loving case, and the various 150+ race riots that happened in 1967. It was a pivotal year for our country, and this film (IMO) really captured its essence. A few tidbits I didn't see in the comments but may have missed.... Tillie, the maid, was portrayed by actress Isabel Sanford who would become incredibly famous for playing Louise "Weezy" Jefferson on the tv series The Jeffersons in the mid-1970s. The Jeffersons was a spin-off of the series All in the Family. She is the only black actress to win an Emmy Award for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Joanna/Joey Drayton, the daughter, was Katharine Houghton. She was Katharine Hepburn's niece. Thanks for continuing to throw in some classic films (or thanks to those that choose these films for you through sponsorship). I know they don't give you the views that the other films do, but there are some truly fantastic and meaningful pieces out there that should almost be required for everyone to watch. This would be one of them.

[@jessharvell1022]

there's an amazing book called "pictures at a revolution" that tells the story of the production of this film, along with the other 1968 best picture nominees: in the heat of the night (also starring sidney poitier in maybe his most iconic performance), bonnie and clyde, the graduate, and dr. doolittle. all of which are worth a reaction,. (well, except for dr. doolittle.) in a way guess who's coming to dinner was a kind of fond farewell to the classic hollywood style that hepburn and tracy represented, and films like bonnie and clyde and graduate (and the rising star of poitier) pointed to the massive changes that would take place in the industry in the 70s.

[@RDRussell2]

I've read that book too! Highly recommended. Very much about how and why "old" Hollywood and its traditions fell away by all the social movements of the 1960s. The book also details how the film critic of the New York Times was essentially fired because he kept criticizing Bonnie and Clyde, thereby proving he didn't "get it" and that he was an old fuddy-duddy. He basically wrote himself out of a job because he kept showing his irrelevance. Bonnie and Clyde was very much a movie of youth and rebellion, especially for the 1960s. As for Dr. Doolittle, it might be the worst movie ever nominated for Best Picture, but it DID happen to adhere to all the old-fashioned standards of what a "good" movie was supposed to be. With a strong Oscar campaign by the studio, it managed to get a Best Picture nomination even though it was a terribly boring movie. Seriously, everyone: Just try and make it through the first half of that movie...you can't. The Oscar race that year really, truly pitted young versus old. Gosh, now I want to read that book again.

[@Mokkari77]

Also it says that the young college audience director Stanley Kramer hoped to appeal didn't like the movie because it was too "safe" while also obviously pandering to them. They probably would have preferred it if the young couple was more rebellious and not seeking their approval. Also the filmmaking style of the movie was very old fashioned compared to the more edgier Bonnie and Clyde and The Graduate.

[@jessharvell1022]

@@RDRussell2 ah good old cranky bosley crowther. he and pauline kael basically became shorthand for old vs. new critics.

[@TTM9691]

Would LOVE to see a reaction to "Bonnie And Clyde". AND "The Graduate". Ashleigh would KILL on both of those movies. "Bonnie And Clyde" she'd be great on, but ALL reactors would do a good job on that movie, I would think. "The Graduate" is only for SOME reactors......and Asheligh is definitely one of those reactors. (Ditto 1969's "Midnight Cowboy") (Would love to see her do '68's "Rosemary's Baby" and "Planet Of The Apes" as well!).

[@CorsetGrace]

Those changed in Hollywood culminated in 1969 and Hollywood was never the same again. "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" explores this change, old Hollywood vs. new, by focusing on one actor, Rick Dalton (played by Leonardo DiCaprio.)

[@hughjorg4008]

At 21:45 it does matter, ASHLEIGH. The parents were saying the couple was going to encounter DISCRIMINATION and hatred everywhere. Interracial marriages were illegal in the U.S. until the 1967 Supreme Court decision.

[@MrRhunter64]

Oh, the tiny glasses like Sidney 's mother had are called cordials, to be used to serve drinks like liqueurs. Anyway, glad you got to see this, Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn did some other films together, may I suggest Pat and Mike, very funny. As always, loved the review, love you and tell Beans hi 👋

[@LA_HA]

Yeah, the tiny glasses were used by people with class, unlike people like us who only have klass (sometimes with a capital K). haha

[@candicewaller403]

Things have changed a lot. My parents are different races (born in the 50s and 60s) and they were essentially outcast from both groups when they got married. My siblings and I had to navigate having a "diverse" background while hardly any of our extended family wanted anything to do with us. Mixed-race in America is still a very weird identity, but it's certainly not as bad as it used to be.

[@stillaboveground2470]

Conversation at every one of my family reunions: "Guess who's coming to dinner?" "Oh no! It's not that sarcastic guy Kevin, is it? Can I eat in my room?"

[@suzannemilligan8648]

Ahhh...one of my favorites! Especially the last scene when Spencer Tracey gave his last speech. He was soooo in love with Katherine Hepburn and she with him, though that was not official knowledge. He was Catholic and married and unable to divorce. You can see in their faces the emotion they had for each other... It was nominated for 10 Academy Awards: best picture, best director, Best Actor (Tracy) (posthumous nomination), Best Actress (Hepburn) (she won!),Best Supporting Actor , Best Supporting Actress, Best Story and Screenplay - Written Directly for the Screen, Best Art Direction, Best Film Editing, & Best Original Song Score or Adaptation Score.

[@adriennerobinson8984]

Interracial relationships were very taboo back in the 1960s. In fact, in some states it was illegal for interracial couples to marry. It wasn't until the year this movie was released in 1967 that the U.S. Supreme Court made it unconstitutional for all the states to ban interracial marriages.

[@christopherb501]

They'd better not fuck it up now...

[@praack4563]

groundbreaking movie; this was news breaking at that time. my parents and their friends had deep discussions about this movie just like many other families across America. people did not cross the race barrier much on both sides- mostly because of family and societal pressure.

[@waterbeauty85]

Now that you've finally been introduced to the great Sidney Portier, I'd like to suggest "A Patch of Blue" (1965). It's a beautiful little movie that often gets overlooked among his many bigger works. I'd also like to suggest "A Warm December" (1973) which I found very touching but got a lukewarm reception when it came out.

[@iChristyD]

A Patch of Blue is my favorite of his. So funny I actually watched it this morning (around 3 am) and I had no idea what movie Ashleigh was even watching today. I was just wide awake and I had a recommendation of someone reacting to another of Sydney’s movies and I was like…I haven’t watch A Patch of Blue in a long time…

[@DonnaLang42rockglobally]

Sidney Poitier has such a great range - he could basically do any type of film: this film proves that he can do comedy, for example; but he can also do crime dramas, coming of age stories, etc. I highly recommend "In The Heat of the Night" and "To Sir With Love" for future Millennial Movie Monday/Member request... they're so good in so many ways.

[@RMBittner]

I am so impressed that you were willing to give this movie a try - and then fully appreciated everything it had to say.

[@christopherlundgren1700]

Regarding Tilly: As Chris Rock used to point out, some of the most hardcore racists are the old black folks who came up in a time when they experienced some of the worst outward racism themselves. When you live your whole life in a system where you're constantly f'ed over by another group, it becomes what you're accustomed to, and you may grow up even feeling like you need to continue to reinforce the status quo. Your in-group has survived by sticking together, and now one of your own is fraternizing with "the enemy". It feels like a betrayal. Even today, mixed race kids have to deal with the bagged of being stuck between multiple cultures, always having to prove that they can belong in one group or another, what they're "allowed" to like, music they're "allowed" to listen to, etc. It seems like things continue to get a little better year by year, but it's still an issue and unfortunately it's naive to think we'll be living in a post-racial world any time soon.

[@neilmcdonald9164]

As someone else will have already said Spencer Tracey was dying during the making of this film dying 2 weeks after end of filming (all his scenes were filmed together in batches to tire him less) ...Costar Katherine Hepburn-no relation to Audrey-was long said to be having a affair with Tracey...KH"s teary eyes in a late scene were for real as she knew Tracey was near death🎩

[@katheryns1219]

Ashleigh - when you watch a movie from past generations you shouldn't be surprised that the values are different. This film was cutting edge for its time, and the truth is that an interacial couple faced severe discrimination to include physical threat. So it was something a couple actually had to consider. Could their love, could their marriage survive it? And that would have been part of all the parents' resistance here. In this day and age, it seems absurd to a majority of the population. But this was 55 years ago. In another 55 years, young people will be making fun of the cultural values we hold now. And you'll tell them what was going on in this day and age in order to explain why you believed what you did.

[@LA_HA]

Also, as it is in period pieces from England, it is well known that "the help" was very often more snobbish about social propriety and decorum than the wealthier snobs they work for. haha. This is notable in Downton Abbey and its predecessor, Upstairs Downstairs. I believe Quinton Tarantino included this in Django Unchained in the Candy Plantation scenes. haha

[@grahamers]

Spencer Tracy, a great of American cinema, played the father. Sadly, he passed away 17 days after production of the film ended. Highly recommend you check out his other work. Sidney Poitier is one of my favorite actors of all time. Based on your reaction to his performance, here, you should watch his other films! (he just passed away in January of this year.)

[@Rmlohner]

Those are real tears from Katherine Hepburn at the end, knowing full well he didn't have much time left.

[@Wiley_Coyote]

To say these were acting giants is a massive understatement. Fun fact: the character of Tillie went on to play Louise Jefferson on The Jeffersons TV show.

[@waterbeauty85]

"Inherit The Wind" (1960) is my favorite Spencer Tracy film. I love the powerful performances. I love how the movie has even more depth than the great play that it was based on. I especially love that Spencer Tracy's character i based on Clarence Darrow.

[@nikolatesla5553]

It cracks me up seeing your reaction to this movie. In the middle 1960s there were laws still in force in a dozen US States against miscegenation or interracial marriage. In fact, it wasn't until 1967 the year this movie came out that the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in Loving v The State of Virginia that the State of Virginia could not enforce it's Racial Integrity Act. Loving was an interracial married couple that were dragged out of bed and charged with illegally cohabitating. They each faced a five year sentence. They were sentenced to one year suspended sentence as long as they left the State of Virginia and not return for 25 years.

[@futuremovieactor]

Given the last version of this story we got was Guess Who? from 2005, I'm amazed another version hasn't been made yet. I say that specifically because the 2022 version of Father of the Bride came out and made that story still feel very relevant and fresh, so it can be done.

[@DoomerONE]

This movie is a great look back at a very different time in America with different opinions and values. This movie has been remade many times, but this version I still feel is the best ever made.

[@brandoncollins1225]

Great film! Spencer Tracy was such a great actor that you'd never know that when he's looking down he's actually finding the right mark to hit.

[@jessharvell1022]

it's truly incredible tracy was able to act in so many movies, and be great in most of them, despite struggling with severe alcoholism, mental health issues, and drug addiction through basically his entire career.

[@jenniferarmitage7693]

Spencer Tracy was an amazing actor. From the comedy of Father of the Bride to the absolute class of Inherit The Wind. And yes the old man in Up was based on him.

[@keithdean9149]

"In The Heat of the Night" is one of my all-time favorite movies. One of Sidney Potier's absolute best.

[@wiccantexan]

That speech Spencer gave to Katharine was not only moving for the movie, but essentially a goodbye to her, and the only public acknowledgement of their real-life feelings. Her tears were quite real, because she knew he was near death.

[@ElliotNesterman]

It's always a special experience when a real-life couple is cast together in a great script. Another great movie with extraordinary performances by a stellar couple is Mike Nichol's 1966 adaptation of Edward Albee's play _Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf._ It stars Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, in what are among their finest on-screen performances, the late George Segal and Sandy Dennis. It was nominated for thirteen Oscars, winning five: Best Actress - Taylor; Best Supporting Actress - Dennis; Best B&W Art Direction; Best B&W Cinematography; and Best B&W Costume Design. It's a hell of a ride.

[@pj9654]

That movie seemed so over-the-top when I first saw it, but I also the Broadway revival of the play in the 1970's, which was directed by the play's author Edward Albee. That production starred Ben Gazarra as George and Colleen Dewhurst as Martha. It was breathtaking!

[@lisathuban8969]

I was an usher at a live theater and had to watch "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" several times. As an impressionable 14 year old, it really made a big case against relationships and marriage for me. As an adult, all I can say is "Those people REALLY need therapy!"

[@jeepsolo]

I am white with a black girlfriend of 22 years(yes we are happily unmarried still). We both got the same response when people fine out, "you don't look like someone who is with a person of a different race." I not sure what they think we should look like. I get asked why I am with a black girl and, I feel like I should have some noble down for the cause answer. But the truth is probably far more noble really. She has what I look for in a women. She was (and still is) cute, thick, shorter than me (my ex wife teased me about not being talk enough) and, she in a lapse in judgment, said yes when I asked if she wanted to go out sometime. I get why people ask. I have a friend who's black husband was in the pen for attempted murder. When she told me and my then wife why she was with a black man, it was the most racist thing I had ever heard. All I could think was, the next time he goes down it going to be for succeeding to murder and, I might have to testify on his behalf. One of my girlfriends best friends (black like Tilly)tried to break us up, by telling her I was cheating on her. While I was sound asleep in the next room. We're now her daughter's God parents. I feel sadly this movie is still very relevant. They should re-release it.

[@randallshuck2976]

At this time there were many southern states where a black man driving a white woman (even his wife) was a prison offence. Marriage between black and white were not recognized by several southern states. The fathers were reflecting their fears for them based on the reality however the mothers were looking at the relationship.

[@JohnMiller-zn9pf]

not just the South. at one point only 9 states didn't have laws against it. The South was just the last the get rid of the laws

[@potts9274]

Also- I love how open this generation is. For too long have things been dictated by a certain measure and considering there is so much more to the world than just that, it’s refreshing to see a better take on things. While you were going over this- an idea for the same plot but with the daughter bringing home her female fiancé and the parents barely finding out. Another similar issue that could be done justice.

[@greggburke3770]

This film came out the same year that Interracial marriage became legal in every state. In 1967, it was the Supreme Court case of Loving V. Virginia that decreed all states anti-miscegenation laws were unconstitutional. (they only existed in a few Southern States) But it's clear what the studio did here. They purposefully created a FLAWLESS character to try and push the idea of interracial marriage as socially acceptable, and while white audiences reacted positively, many in the black community were irate because of the impossible standard it set. At the time, only 23% of blacks graduated high school, & less than 5% graduated from college. Less than .002% graduated medical school. So at the time, what percentage of black Americans were doctors flying around the world doing humanitarian work & were so well educated and polite? That's why regular black folks were angry that they didn't use more blue collar characters.

[@greggburke3770]

@Doug Nading oh I agree, that's a fair point. If Chelsea Clinton brought home Chris Tucker, you would find out real fast how they REALLY felt. After all, Hillary's mentor was former KKK Grand Wizard Robert Byrd.

[@jedlogan392]

I am so glad to watch your reaction to this movie.I'm old enough to remember when this movie was released. It was a very turbulent time near the height of the anti-war protests and racial tensions were still at a fever pitch. About four months after this was released Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated. And several months later Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated.. This film also marked the middle of an incredible movie streak for Sydney Porter which included The Defiant Ones, To Sir with Love, Lollies of the Field, and In the Heat of the Night.

[@markcalvert7944]

This is one of my favorite movies. One of the very few criticisms I hear leveled at the film is that John is too perfect. He wasn't "divorced", because his late wife and son were killed in an accident and he's an MD. Some people have suggested he should have been given an "ordinary" profession and not an advanced one, like a physician. I think it would have changed the narrative a little had John been a mail carrier like his father.

[@bryce253]

Why would you think a black man would have to be a mail carrier in order to be authentic? 🙄

[@markcalvert7944]

@@bryce253 I'm simply stating that the writers chose to make him an "exceptional" person, given his professional field. I suspect they worried that if they didn't do this, some audience members would have viewed him as not "good enough" for Joanne. Of course that is a totally racist sentiment, but they had to oversell John's character. Does that make sense?

[@Tomcatt817]

@@markcalvert7944 I disagree a bit, classism is just as rampant as racism. I can see an the same reaction if the movie was all one color, but rich and poor. One seen as not good enough, or as a gold digger. I think they were trying to avoid the classism bias to focus on the racial bias.

[@silverlobo2135]

Hello Ashleigh You have to remember that 1967 was very recent from the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Segregation was ben challenged and the many marches by Martin.L. King and many other civil rights leaders. While ome may hav been ready to accept 'Negroes" and pople of other color, they ere not quite ready to ccept them into thier own family. Yes interracial marriage were considered 'illegal' before the Loving decision. There is a recent movie about that also.))) Yes there prents had their biases about it, but they were also worried about their safety. Mixed race couples had been discriminated, property vandaized, physically attacked, and even killed in certain places in the USA. It is one reason Obama's parents moved to Hawaii. So this movie portrayed man of th 'current' social mentality for this time. The maid Tilly had a problem becuse while she was or freedom, she herself ws not ready for that much freedom and the belie that a soon as a good b Black man gets successful, he gets himself a white wife and ignores the Black woman. The actress is also the sme that would latr go on to play Weesey Jefferson on the "Jeffersons" tv how of the 70's and ealy 80s. H ave a great weekend.

[@grahamers]

Ashleigh: Was [interracial marriage] illegal? Lawyer, here. Yes, at the time this film was shot (1966), many states had outlawed interracial marriage. It wasn't until next year, that the Supreme Court ruled in the wonderfully appropriately named case of "Loving v. Virginia" that this was unconstitutional. At that point, interracial marriage became legal everywhere in the U.S. As a sign of the time, Loving v. Virginia was decided the same year this film was released: 1967. I am in no way exaggerating when I note that the logic that SCOTUS used to overturn Roe v. Wade, recently, now threatens to cause the court to overturn many other civil rights cases like Loving v. Virginia. This movie represents a time we risk returning to if we do not protect ourselves from the forces in the world that seek to sow hatred and divide within our nation. Another reason the cinema is so very important to our society! So glad you watched this!

[@BufordT]

How would a reversal of Loving be enforced today when you can see a map of your DNA origins with a simple test? If you're 2% this and 14% that, who would decide what "race" you could legally marry?

[@adaddinsane]

@@BufordT You think science would work? Quaint.

[@jayakers708]

Poitier, Hepburn, Tracy - all huge stars of the 1960's, adding gravitas to a very important film for its time. Thanks for reviewing this. "“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” - George Santayana. You are so right, it is very pertinent today. Great reaction!

[@vandergrad]

This movie is so absolutely brilliant. It addresses so many points of view in such a smart fashion. I love, love, love it. And I'm so glad you got to see it. --- By the way, you cannot go wrong with any movie that has either Katherine Hepburn or Spencer Tracey. But when you put them together, it's always GREAT.

[@nahkohese555]

Been there, done that. I think it was Thanksgiving 68 or 69 when my aunt showed up with her new husband who happened to be black. My brother, sister and I were raised to be "colorblind" and thought nothing of it. My dad welcomed him without a second thought. My mom's only reservation was that her baby sister was "jumping from the frying pan into the fire" as her divorce was only final about two months before. Some of the other relatives were a bit freaked out - not upset as much as "deer in the headlights" frozen and unable to relax. It was the same relatives who were struck speechless a year later when my uncle, who had just spent 5 years as a civilian contractor in Vietnam, came home with a Vietnamese wife who was about half his age. Good Times 😁

[@battlegirldeb]

Classic. I love the scene where Kathrine tells the lady she is no longer needed.

[@newmoon766]

In 1979, when I was an undergraduate, I had a huge crush on a fellow student, who was Thai. I asked my mother how she would feel if I wanted to marry an Asian, as a hypothetical. She said she would be afraid for me. I'm white. Nothing came of that; we were just good friends. In the 1990's, I met a white woman who had been married to a black man, and they had gotten a divorce because he was being harassed and even threatened with death at his job as a policeman. It's kind of refreshing to see you being surprised at what so many of us have grown up with. Tilly is afraid for him. Her attitude is maternal. The parents are all afraid for both of them.

[@shainewhite2781]

This movie broke a whole lot of barriers back in the 1960's, receiving both praise and controversy.

[@zappafan012]

So glad you liked this classic so much Ashleigh. Mainly because it was directed by the same guy who made It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World. It was also Spencer Tracy's last film. To add a little reverence, Alabama did not legalize interracial marriage until the year 2000, 33 years after the Loving case. Just let that sink in for a second. ❤️

[@CorsetGrace]

An actual "classic" movie! I've been waiting since "Casablanca" for one! If you enjoyed Spencer Tracy (one of the greatest actors of all time) please watch the original "Father of the Bride," a comedy starring him. At 11:05 you asked, "scared against what?" Black men with white women were frequently beaten by racists back then and both would be shunned by their respective communities. Black people wouldn't accept her in their neighborhoods and white people wouldn't accept him in theirs and both races looked askance at interracial couples at this time. The father, Spencer Tracy's character, wasn't a racist in this movie, not really. He was a realist living in this time period. In reality, Spencer Tracy loved this role and the message the movie conveyed.

[@sdhartley74]

I really wish Ashleigh would go back and read these comments. I'm sad that a year later, after watching Imitation of Life, she still refers to Christina in this movie as "the racist mom".