In 1965, I saw a movie that influenced and foreshadowed my future. The main character was blind since she was five years old. She lived a deplorable, sheltered life and grew up without any blind training to help her maneuver within her world. She was scared of her darkness but possessed great courage, tenacity, and a desire to do more. Since her blindness prevented her from seeing colors, she was not aware of any differences between people’s skin tones. It was pure innocence and joy discovering the simplicity of the phrase “love is blind.”
I wondered what it would feel like to lose your sight. It became an obsession that I used to complete a science project for my Advanced Biology class in high school. I decided to blind fold myself for 24 hours while trying to complete my normal daily activities, chores, and appointments. It was so difficult. Walking on the sidewalk to visit my best friend, trying to cook for myself, choosing my clothes from my closet or drawers, using the phone (pre-Siri days), “watching” TV, and looking for items I had dropped on the floor were moments I will never forget.
I felt so alone and isolated. I did not want to ask for help, yet I had no choice but to lean on those around me. My nerves were constantly on high alert, and I wondered if people were staring at me with understanding and empathy or just laughing behind my back. It was horrible, and I was so grateful my situation was temporary. In the end, I learned gratitude for truly seeing the green grass, my family’s faces, and A PATCH OF BLUE that surrounded me every day when I raised my eyes toward the sky. Sixty years later, I find myself in a real losing battle of keeping my eyesight. My world is shadowed and gray. Colors have changed, and I constantly look upward searching for that patch of blue.
A PATCH OF BLUE was purposely filmed in black and white. It featured the outstanding acting skills of Sidney Poitier as Gordon, the film debut of Elizabeth Hartman as Selina, Wallace Ford as Ole Pa, and the bombastic Shelley Winters as Rose-Ann. Winters admitted that she hated playing her role, but Hollywood did not agree, and awarded her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. The film was based on a novel by Elizabeth Kara and Guy Green (GREAT EXPECTATIONS) directed and wrote the screenplay. Green gave his cast the gift of creating visually strong characters. He used light and the director’s touch to make each frame a poignant vision.
Poitier was magnificent. His simple, gentle subtext was deeply hidden. His subtle demeanor added the necessary layers to Gordon, a man who led with total kindness for those around him. It was a pleasure to watch the way our world should behave.
Hartman was a surprise. She allowed audiences to follow along as she used her senses to deliver a fine performance. Using opaque contact lenses gave her stilted movement authenticity and added dimension. She said in future interviews that she was unable to see while wearing those contacts. They gave her a total feeling of blindness and truth to the way sightless eyes move.
I must also mention the genius of Shelley Winters. She made me cringe every time she appeared. I never knew what to expect when she was the scene’s focus. Her level of anger and nastiness was perfection. I actually yearned to slap that bitch. Now that’s a testament to her acting.
A PATCH OF BLUE had to be edited when shown in the South. Several states would not allow scenes promoting a bi-racial, romantic relationship. It was unheard of for the times since it was just the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. The novel depicted the racial tension more. I can’t imagine how dangerous it probably was filming on location in areas where the Confederate flag still flies freely.
A PATCH OF BLUE deals with several important, relevant themes. It is an interracial, dramatic, “sight-impaired,” classic. It has meaningful messages and insights about who and how we love. It creates a bold standard for generations to follow. It is a well-told story that will leave audiences with hope. It is a lesson in tolerance and how to pull off a successful rescue in the middle of a storm. Wearing sunglasses cannot hide the truth. Being blind can sometimes shine a bright light everywhere.
A PATCH OF BLUE is available on TCM.
