Sir Sidney Poitier was not expected to live when he was born - he was a premie baby who arrived a couple of months early. Luckily for us, his parents took good care of him and he grew up to become the first black actor to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, for 1962's Lillies of the Field. At a young age, Poitier joined the U.S. Army, then worked as a dishwasher and gained entry into the American Negro Theater, which changed his life. Of course we all know that he starred in many notable films such as In the Heat of the Night, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, and To Sir, With Love - but did you also know that he directed a few films? One of the more notable titles was the smash comedy hit Stir Crazy starring Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor.
My favorite Sidney Poitier movie, however, is a light-hearted romantic comedy from 1968 called For Love of Ivy. He plays a manager of a mobile gambling establishment who is set up with a maid, Ivy, whose family doesn't want to lose her services. Ivy dreams of moving from Long Island to NYC to go to school and pursue a dream as an administrative assistant. The film costars a pre-Archie Bunker Carroll O'Connor and Beau Bridges (who looks quite cute as a sideburn-sporting hippie.) I highly recommend checking it out, for there's some great late 60s fashion and decorating going on in the film.
But enough of that - I know you want to see PICTURES! Enjoy:
Copyright The New York Times
I totally agree. Mom and I both like him. I enjoyed the 3 films that you mentioned. I'd like to see For Love of Ivy - hopefully, it will be on AMC OR TCM.
ReplyDeleteOh yes agreed. He just gets better with age, doesn't he? I'm going to Netflix to check out "For Love Of Ivy."
ReplyDeleteHe's so ridiculously good looking, it isn't even funny. The movie I love him most in is Patch of Blue. I saw that movie a gazillion times as a kid (heavy duty stuff) and just loved it.
ReplyDeleteBtw, his daughter Syndey is sex on a stick! Loved her in Death Proof!
Thanks Pam! I'll check out Ivy. Amanda said "Patch of Blue" - I almost forgot! I loved that movie (and book I randomly picked up and read) too. But my favorite was "To Sir, with Love"; the concept of those rare, special, cultured people who take us from "crayons to perfume..."; his portrayal of such a person, the engineer taking a temp job to pay the bills but discovering more, the b/w image of 60's working man England, of Lulu's breathtaking lyrics and singing, is timeless to me. And yes Ladies, even by straight-guy standards, he *is* very handsome!
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I've always been a huge fan of Mr. Poitier! My absolute favorite film of his has to be "To Sir With Love". Not familiar with "For Love of Ivy" but I'm definitely going to check it out!
ReplyDeleteLove him, he's sweet looking and gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteHow do you thank someone, who has taken you from crayons to perfume?!!!
ReplyDeleteLOL!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE "To Sir With Love"!!!!!!
And I have never seen "To SIr With Love", so, looks like I have some renting to do as well. Thanks for all the comments!
ReplyDeleteI have a plaque from sidney poitier on a award was given to him i want to sell it
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