"TAKE A GIANT STEP" Johnny Nash, Ellen Holly, Ruby Dee. 12-1-1959. (HD HQ 1080p)

"TAKE A GIANT STEP" Plot summary A black high school senior struggles with becoming a man, and living in a middle class white neighborhood in the late 1950s U.S. In protest of the paternalistic views of the Civil War emphasized in the history class, he storms out and gets caught smoking a cigar in the boy's room. Spencer's crush on a white classmate goes nowhere because of her father's attitude towards blacks. His outspoken grandmother seems the only one who understands his angry growing pains, at the early stages of the U.S. Civil Rights Era.
.
Full cast and crew starring, Johnny Nash, Estelle Hemsley, Ruby Dee, Frederick O'Neal, Ellen Holly, Pauline Myers, Beah Richards, Royce Wallace, Frances Foster, Delmar Erickson, Dee Pollack, Frank Killmond, Joe Sonesa, Sherman Raskin, Bill Walker, Lestor Dorr, Roy Glenn, Bernie Hamilton, and Smoki Whitfield. Directed by Philip Leacock.Released December 1, 1959.

[@Crazymike1975]

Rest in Heaven Johnny Nash and the entire cast whose performances are 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@edeck889]

Singer and actor Johnny Nash was not only a great vocalist and actor, but a pioneer in music and film. Without Johnny Nash writing and performing tunes of Jamaican influenced Reggae, virtually introducing this new musical genre to America through his hit "I Can See Clearly Now" I don't know if the world would have ever heard of Bob Marley, who would go on in both life and death to become a legend in the world of music. I hope that a well written book will be put forth to let the public know how important Johnny Nash is to entertainment. R.I.P. Johnny Nash

[@heatherfulmore3412]

He was a great singer.

[@MrFlojay]

The Grandma was the realest one in the movie

[@djbillcjamon4803]

Grandma do that always, ..

[@h2d127]

Everyone should watch this movie. Across all boards. So many messages in it. Brilliant!

[@felinefokus]

Yes! I'm surprised we got to view it for free!

[@kennethmorgan7957]

RIP Johnny Nash Aug.19, 1940 - Oct. 6, 2020

[@caliconservative20]

Estelle Helmsly was terrific as the granny. I enjoyed this movie. Thanks for uploading

[@bva5362]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this beautiful movie! It is sad that the only way to see some of these old black movies is via KZbin (thank goodness for KZbin!!!). I remember seeing this movie once many years ago I believe on TV One network when it first aired, along with a few other old black movies. Not sure why TV One stopped airing these movies. It was hearing about the death of Johnny Nash that brought me here. Again, thank you!

[@ashleyh8449]

What a wonderful movie. So relatable, even now. Hooked from start to finish.

[@h2d127]

Rest in heavenly sweet peace. This is one of my favorite movies. God bless your soul Johnny. You were way before your time. I have always admired you. You did great things. Life well done. 💐💐💐🙏🏽💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐🙏🏽💐💐💐🙏🏽🙏🏽💐💐💐💐💐💐💐🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽💐💐🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐

[@leemclaurin9761]

"Don't be a CRUMB ALL your life!!" LOL

[@brent1969able]

Grandma the only one in that house that got some damn brains!

[@TheSuburbanBase]

I'm watching this now for the first time, and I love it. I'm from Connecticut, where this is basically based. Louis S. Peterson, who wrote the original play, grew up in Hartford's south end. The story takes place in an unnamed northern town with a south end. I thought it might be based here in CT before I looked it up too. Even though it's old it has a Connecticut vibe.

[@lingeringquestions519]

And I will believe it's based in Connecticut now.

[@rio8555]

R.I.P Johnny Nash one of my fav movies.

[@DELL123ful]

Rest in peace .I did not know he make a film in his young days

[@h2d127]

This is one of my favorite movies.

[@ericpeterson6766]

@@h2d127 He was quite an actor, wish he had made more.

[@markendyalexis4836]

Thanks for the post. Watching the film now on TV, but I missed the first 20mins and knew I had to watch the whole thing. Great movie so far**

[@ShawnPlusOne]

I love this movie I’ve only seen it twice in my life but the memories still hold dear rest in peach Beah Richards and Johnny Nash. ❤️🙏🏾

[@djbillcjamon4803]

Refreshing and uplifting....

[@billsmith9711]

I can't imaging this movie running in the theaters back it 59.....it's wild.

[@jacquelinepeoples379]

Old movies are the best!

[@DM-sv2ei]

Watched this movie for the first time and I enjoyed it! Ruby Dee was a Gorgeous Sister in her day.

[@kevinhannah1785]

Ellen Holly, From One Life To Live & Guiding Light

[@felinefokus]

Say what you will but that soft ol sweet Al has a crush on spence 😂 spence was charming and wise beyond his years. He makes grown up men look foolish. this film is so good. Kept my interest at every moment. Every parent should be required to view this before the baby is born and every school should be mandated to watch this and have an open dialogue afterwards. (; Side note ruby dee is reminding me of jasmine guy.

[@sandraelder1101]

“When I’m tired, I like to look tired. I’m no hypocrite.” 😁

[@altoniaanderson]

Thank you for this great movie. May the cast always R.I.P.

[@kevintaylor361]

Very good movie. The grandmother steals the show!

[@vicshrily]

About 6:00 - “..talk to yourself, you’ve been doing it for years!” lol! (Grandmother wants to talk to grandson).

[@davidjhitztaler-mrrocklight]

Great movie with life and soul. I'm learning and growing with it. I love it

[@adelebz7]

This movie is enlightening. Thank you so much! I love it!💝💝💝

[@davidjhitztaler-mrrocklight]

It's a great movie with great actors about life on the Planet Earth. Love it

[@winonamassingill7895]

Johnny Nash was a popular singer in the sixties. Tears on My Pillow, I Ca See Clearly Now, etc. 🎶🎶🎶

[@rahimshahid1937]

WOW WHAT A AWESOME AWESOME MOVIE I LOVE IT R.I.P MR NASH AND CAST YOU ALL WERE SUPER PHENOMENAL 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@bessiesmith7211]

That daddy comment is priceless!!!!

[@bella_bella85]

This was really a good movie!!! Granny was my fav character ❤❤❤❤❤

[@barrys4922]

This was a terrific movie, but it saddens me to see all of this talent that never got the opportunities it deserved. In a just world, the entire main cast if this movie would have been bigger. Frederick O'Neal was a phenomenal actor.

[@jeanettesdaughter]

Right. But they all persevered, did their best, and their work stands for all time. The less talented and undeserving are already forgotten. Support writers!!if it’s not on the page, it won’t be on the screen. Writers are the only ones who can change the narratives, flip the scripts.

[@barrys4922]

@@jeanettesdaughter I agree 💯.

[@davidjhitztaler-mrrocklight]

Colored People?. Our souls have no color. I remember a saying in the 60's." Black Is Beautiful " and "true". Will Always Be True. Everything will work out ok and stronger. I believe in you. Keep believing in yourself

[@qwanie18]

Truly handsome man Rest In Peace Johnny Nash 🕊💔🙏

[@sandraelder1101]

That was really good. And thought provoking. I like to think he’ll be friends with Alan.

[@PoohbearPlus]

RIP Johnny Nash.

[@lingeringquestions519]

I saw some of it in middle school or high school. I was really shocked by some things. Just seeing it in a movie from that time and the things the main character went through, it was what I had learned about but it hit me hard.

[@TheSuburbanBase]

It's crazy to see that it has a Connecticut vibe, even though it's so old. It's sad to see our state still has these problems today too. Progress has definitely been made, but we can do better.

[@bobstephen782]

RIP Sir Johnny Nash

[@YooTuba]

Cast is great but how did sassy Gran end up with such a daughter? What kind of grown woman calls her husband "Daddy"? Gran is awesome though, reminds me of my late mom

[@h2d127]

Back in the day woman referred to their husband as daddy. It was a power thing more of a compliment.

[@Sapphire586]

Although I am a classic movie buff, &I'm ashamed to say that I had never heard of this one before. Of course, black movies failed to get their due props. Aside from Ruby Dee & Beah Richards, I can easily recognize some of the other cast members when they were older. For instance, the 3 prostitutes: Polly the one on the phone with the bangs, would appear on Good Times with her infamous "meatloaf" that the Evans family was convinced was dog food.Lol. She also appeared in the next to last segment of Malcolm X, & reassured a dazed Malcolm that she would pray for him. Violet, the sassy one who took Spence to her room would be Grandpa Evans lady love Lena his little "Gray-haired Barbie Doll, " she also appeared on the Jeffersons she applied for the maid 's position, but Florence was hired instead. Rose appeared in Sanford & Son as Rosetta Fred's sister/sister-in-law when Lamont was jilted @ the alter. Rosetta was the one who wanted a shot of whiskey to settle her stomach .Lol. She also appeared in Roots: TNG as did Beah Richards as the older Cynthia Palmer -Alex Haley's maternal grandmother & Ruby Dee as Queen Haley - his paternal pipe-smoking grandmother. The bartender in the first joint was in the movie Carmen Jones.That's what I love about these types of movies, recognizing faces & trying to place them.

[@jimmybrice6360]

gosh, ruby dee is 37. she doesnt look that old, at all

[@arnibah]

I like grandma:)

[@sandraelder1101]

Isn’t the mom played by the same actress that was Poitier’s mom in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?

[@arthro9259]

At around 36:30, it's funny how a woman can lay eyes on a guy right under a man's nose.

[@sandraelder1101]

Who is playing the bartender? I’ve seen him in something else but he had gray hair. William Walker - of course, To Kill a Mockingbird!

[@Mimi-ex6jo]

🍿🍿🍿🍿🎬🍿🍿🍿🍿

[@theotherwise3102]

B R I L L I A N T

[@ThaSchwab]

So, nobody's gonna mention that part where Grandma thought that Hitler was right for wanting to get rid of Poles?

[@uklaw]

We were never exposed to these kind of movies in the UK. Only rubbish like LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR or ALF GARNETT or THE FOSTERS with Lenny Henry. How pathetic!

[@lwmson]

The problem with this movie is that it lacks a plot and the story line is lame. What starts out as a potentially interesting tale about a young black man's struggle in gaining acceptance into white society after his family "integrates" into a white middle class neighborhood transforms into a pointless sequence about him tying to come of age sexually and then the movie loses its focus. Easy to understand why the movie became forgettable.

[@edeck889]

Johnny Nash could have definitely been a huge teen idol with his gigantic musical and acting talents, Hollywood wasted so many opportunities during the 20th century to showcase society as it really was and instead opting to go along with racism and pleasing a certain U.S.A. demographic just to keep making money which caused a lot of potential stars of Johnny Nash elk to just wither away in films or just quit all together, in 2018 and beyond I want to see a more courageous Hollywood, I hope they do what is right

[@MalikaIC]

The love of money has robbed many of grace, courage..and true dignity...Superficial worship for the outer seems to devour the soul and spirit of men..Humanity declining instead of rising..

[@kaila62kaila]

love this! back in the day when grandmas were grandmas and spoke their minds!

[@AKIYIAKELLY]

I Love Old Black Movies. I never heard or seen this Movie before. A Clip was posted on Facebook. I am glad to See KZbin have it. I want to see the whole movie. :) Thanks for Posting.

[@christopherlewis9218]

I can relate Spence growing up being the only black in class during my K-12 years. When I saw this in college it was a breath of fresh air. His grandma was like my own. Our relationship was the same. I had an incident in history class...and when I would speak of black nationalism...grandma would listen.

[@allanhernandez2508]

@@cedricdhouse2433 I saw it on Grio TV too a couple nights ago. Great film!

[@blaqsuga3552]

I'm am a TCM Channel lover and I've never seen this movie. Spence wasn't my favorite character but I guess the way he acted was necessary for this movie this particular time. grams was the truth, she made this movie. she spoke a lot of Truth a lot of wisdom. and Ruby Dee hey what can I say that's Ruby Dee!

[@helenlauer9545]

god this is so fine as a representation of a genre; it's like looking at a photo exhibition, watching a play, and enjoying great cinema all at once, that doesn't even mention the civil rights lesson you get for free. what a fabulous movie. I hope it won awards, it's excellent staging, direction, acting, cinematography.

[@Lilcisco87]

Hahaha Grandma was definitely on point. She wasn't wrong at all.

[@annetteb2432]

B-money Cisco Yup! 💋

[@CouponDealsNsteals]

B-money Cisco she checked the shiiiiiit out of em!

[@Lilcisco87]

@Frederick Wells Absolutely

[@DomCTBG]

Gram passed her spirit and wisdom on to her grandson- that's why they relate.

[@thegrandcanyonisegypt2489]

"Don't let me come over there and snatch u breathless! " 😹 Trust & believe this movie was way ahead of the game Much respect ✅

[@jmccracken1963]

Excellent film! This is just as good in its own way as "St. Louis Blues" and "Anna Lucasta," both made the year before (1958), "Odds Against Tomorrow," made in the same year, "Sergeant Rutledge" (made in 1960), and "A Raisin In The Sun" (made in 1961). Great performances by everybody in the cast; I was especially struck by the performances of Estelle Hemsley, Ruby Dee (37 years old when she played Christine), Ellen Holly, Bill Walker, and, of course, Johnny Nash. (This was one of only two films in which Johnny Nash acted; he played a major role in the MGM crime drama "Key Witness" in 1960.) Excellent score for the movie by Jack Marshall, too. (Another fun fact: The last film role for Pauline Myers, who plays Violet in this movie, would be as Constance Riley ("I guess I need a new pair of glasses") in the 1992 film "My Cousin Vinny." She also played Judge Frances MacKenzie in a 1975 episode of "All In The Family" entitled "Archie's Civil Rights." She was, by the way, 45 years old when she made "Take A Giant Step.") (And one more set of fun facts: Beah Richards, who plays May Scott in this film, had played the role of the grandmother in the original off-Broadway production of "Take A Giant Step - convincingly playing an 84-year-old woman without any makeup, at the age of 35. Much later in life, she would play Mae Benton, mother of Dr. Peter Benton, in 8 episodes of the first season of "ER.") Thank you very much for sharing this with us!

[@theallisonhayeschannel3610]

Yes! It is a very good film. Glad you enjoyed watching it.

[@VillemarMxO]

Thanks for the recommendations for the earlier two Eartha Kitt movies! I'm interested in movies made in the 1950's that were released to general audiences (outside the South, of course), that both featured majority African American ensemble casts. Take A Giant Step is amazing and the writing is brilliant. The white characters are just side characters who really aren't terribly relevant to the story (although his friendship with Allen is pleasant, and I did like when he said he could be a fellow outcast "egghead" with him in college..."Egghead" was a definite anti-intellectual slur in the 50's; referencing Hofstadter's 'Anti-intellectualism in American Life' here, which was a nice touch). I'd like to believe that this movie wasn't a complete anomaly for that decade. If you have any other suggestions for these types of movies beyond this and the other two, I'd be happy to know about them. You know your movies man!

[@brendakw485]

jmccracken1963 Thanks for dropping knowledge. I haven't seen Nash's other film, so I'm definitely checking it out. One of my favorite Ruby Dee performances is in a film she did with her husband, Ossie Davis...Purlie Victorious.

[@altoniaanderson]

Thank you for the great information

[@stylecollective-qt9um]

I'm in the middle of researching the fashion of this time period, but I have to admit I am completely distracted by what wonderful acting there is in this film, and I never knew Johnny Nash was an actor outside of his singing career. This is really a gem, thank you for the upload!

[@onesparkygrrrl9166]

Excellent film. Fine acting. Great script & production. Thanks 4 this gem!

[@theallisonhayeschannel3610]

You're welcome!

[@shaquinablake6481]

it's a classic yet thoroughly modern, the American struggle with race and class is timeless.

[@Jonathan_angel]

it begins with the word "race".

[@tonysmith2426]

@@Jonathan_angel It begins with racism, not race.

[@tonysmith2426]

@Kenneth J What?

[@matrox]

Never heard of this but glad I found it. Never even knew singer Johnny Nash was an actor.

[@KLove7557]

Neither did I!

[@nesieg.984]

This is a classic!! I really enjoy watching old movies.

[@veverlysumlin1070]

Love the grandmother

[@jplanter]

Thank you for sharing this gem. It is precious. I love Gram; she reminds me of my elders. All that love...

[@VillemarMxO]

This movie is so brilliantly written, and even though it was adapted from a stage play the film doesn't feel "stagey" which is always a potential pitfall of cinematic adaptations of theatrical plays. The entire barroom sequence is just breathtaking, every line, every bit of business, every bit of cross-talk, is perfectly paced and written and acted. You really don't see that level of sophistication in movies anymore. Really the whole movie is amazing. Thanks for the upload!

[@mariatobe2205]

Villemar @

[@mariatobe2205]

Villemar @

[@tonysmith2426]

Yes, Villemar. Yes.

[@andrewcrawford4635]

Interesting movie. I only knew of Johnny Nash as the singer for his famous song 'I can see clearly now'.

[@mrc302]

Watched this on TCM last night. Excellent film.

[@joyousthunder9532]

I love this movie! Never knew Nash was in the movies...This is wonderful***** Thank you for posting this...BellaMaria

[@djbillcjamon4803]

Magic that we create, always bet on Black...

[@mastermooky]

totally loved it, johnny nash. wo knew? fantastic performance and ruby dee, mmm, love her too. all the players were wonderful! subscribed, thanks

[@theallisonhayeschannel3610]

You're welcome! And thank you for subscribing to (The Allison Hayes Channel 36).

[@charmainehutchinson9651]

THE ALLISON HAYES CHANNEL36

[@truthbetold4178]

Great coming of age story. Really enjoyed this movie. Thanks for sharing~

[@theallisonhayeschannel3610]

You're welcome!

[@georgemusic4all4seasons]

I am half way through this movie and it so good! Thank you for posting thank you

[@janinethomas7028]

loved the movie made me cry laugh and taught me a lot. He reminds me of myself a bit and he's really cute .. love grandma too

[@tyshaspencer5016]

When Gram said Stop calling him Daddy he ain't no husband of mine.. 😂 and when she also said "calling him daddy is the stupidest thing I've heard of" 😂 😂 😂 😂... #goodmovie

[@lestoil]

Best lines: “I like you Allen. You’re a good Jew”. “If that husband of mine gets in my face again I’ll snatch him bald!”. “Hey, what are you doing with that lipstick on your face?? Hey-you ain’t peculiar are you??”. “Stop callin him daddy!! I ain’t never been married to that man!”.

[@shundralane4939]

Great movie! Lots of good stars and timeless story line -- on several different levels!

[@nefertarithompson1244]

I only heard of this film two days ago. It is amazing!

[@stephanyryans5428]

All of the women in the bar scene and the bartender played on Good Times

[@backtoafrika]

Thank you for uploading this wonderful movie.

[@consuelaallen4372]

Ruby Dee set Spence free, he just needed a healing and a reality check. I enjoyed the movie.

[@WakandaBabe]

Burt Lancaster's production company produced this.

[@sliqrick8142]

Grandma was "COOL" !

[@Sapphire586]

She was a HELLION!!!!

[@michaelconnor5378]

@@Sapphire586Jonny Nash looked like a young Ali. He acted with the presence of Sydney Poitier. He would have been a great actor

[@KLove7557]

What a progressive town and high school for the "50's!

[@CouponDealsNsteals]

What a Gem of a movie! Thanks for sharing

[@SoDezzi]

Ellen Holly reminds me of Dorothy Dandridge in this film (looks, mannerisms etc.) Thanks for uploading!

[@theallisonhayeschannel3610]

I would have to disagree with you as far comparing Ellen Holly to Dorothy Dandridge. She looks nothing like Dorothy Dandridge. Her style of acting is no way similar to Dorothy Dandridge's. Ellen Holly could never be the actress Dorothy Dandridge was. However her mannerisms does bare a slight similarity. Thanks for watching.

[@SoDezzi]

THE ALLISON HAYES CHANNEL36 Thanks for your response. I wasn't really referring to their acting styles by the way, but for whatever reason in this particular film she reminded me of Dorothy. Mostly in terms of looks and mannerisms. I'm sure others will disagree with me and that's totally fine. :) I'm not too familiar with Ellen's other work. This is the first film I've seen Ellen in. However, I am a Dorothy Dandridge fan, and have watched most, if not all, of her films. One of them I think you have uploaded on your channel. Once again, thanks for the response and the amazing channel!

[@marymary68ify]

SoSwzzi I would definitely have to disagree with you. Ellen Holly is nothing like Dorothy Dandridge. First of all Ellen Holly is a shade lighter than Dorothy Dandridge and although they were both beautiful women back in the day, I would have to say that in my opinion, Ellen Holly was more beautiful than Dorothy Dandridge. Please don't get me wrong they were both extremely beautiful woman, but Dorothy's beauty pales compared to Holly's beauty. If I may speak frankly, Lena Horne was more beautiful than both of them put together.

[@jeffkatt]

SoDezzi Injustice fine wow!

[@DeeNice681]

I think Dorothy was more beautiful. Ellen Holly was pretty too, but Dorothy has more beautiful skin!

[@gladyshobson4678]

WOW. I have watched several movies with all the black cast except Jonny Nash, but I didn't know this movie exist. I love the TCM Network, but I've never seen this movie on the network. I enjoyed the movie. Thanks for uploading it.

[@sweetvictory89]

mmm I came for Ms Ruby Dee but this is good.

[@ItsMild]

Topics are still very relevant would love to see this in a remake

[@SagesseNoir-rq5hp]

Wow! I never heard of this movie!

[@Savvynlady]

I remember seeing this some years ago. interesting movie.

[@chuckthecelestial6518]

Wonderful film. Need many more like it.

[@ToniA5555]

Excellent!!!

[@lanzaharris4797]

BROKE MY HEART WEN SHE DIED AS A BLACK MAN WHO LOST THEIR GRANDMA HURTS

[@theallisonhayeschannel3610]

I"M SURE IT DOES. A HEARTBREAKING STORY. I"M GLAD YOU ENJOYED.

[@lotusbuds2000]

Fabulous intelligent charming movie.....beautiful dialogue.....fab actors.....love gorgeous Ellen Holly in this movie...she later played lovely Carla in the serial "One Life to Live" started in 1968 I believe.

[@bsirvine]

Such a sad movie. Could have been titled "Our Shame." The reverse of the 1950s sitcoms.

[@daleogoldman4373]

One of my favorite movies

[@gardenchef8298]

Am I the only ole soul watching this film. I remember watching this as a kid. Pre 1960-70s slock .

[@vmwalker3]

Best movie ever 😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@vmwalker3]

I👍👍👍👍👍👍👍