Sapphire (film)
| Sapphire | |
|---|---|
 UK release poster | |
| Directed by | Basil Dearden |
| Produced by |
Michael Relph Earl St. John (executive producer) |
| Written by | Janet Green |
| Starring |
Nigel Patrick Yvonne Mitchell Michael Craig Paul Massie Earl Cameron Bernard Miles |
| Music by | Philip Green |
| Cinematography | Harry Waxman |
| Edited by | John D. Guthridge |
Release date |
|
Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Sapphire is a 1959 British crime drama. It focuses on racism in London toward immigrants from the West Indies and explores the "underlying insecurities and fears of ordinary people" that exist towards another race.[1] The film was directed by Basil Dearden and stars Nigel Patrick, Earl Cameron and Yvonne Mitchell. It received the BAFTA Award for Best Film and screenwriter Janet Green won a 1960 Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best Foreign Film Screenplay.[2] It was considered a progressive movie for its time.[3]
Earl Cameron, who played the part of Sapphire's brother,[1] would appear two years later in another English film dealing with racial issues, the 1961 film Flame in the Streets.[4]
Plot
The body of a pregnant young woman is found stabbed on Hampstead Heath. Although she appears to be white, when her brother (Earl Cameron) arrives at the police station to give evidence, the investigating police officers see that he is black. He confirms that he and Sapphire were both the children of a white father and a black mother, but Sapphire has recently been passing for white.[5] Sapphire's white boyfriend, a student, immediately becomes the chief suspect, but, as the investigation proceeds, other aspects of Sapphire's life in London bring to light other possible suspects.
Cast
- Nigel Patrick as Superintendent Robert Hazard
- Yvonne Mitchell as Mildred
- Michael Craig as Inspector Phil Learoyd
- Paul Massie as David Harris
- Bernard Miles as Ted Harris
- Olga Lindo as Mrs. Harris
- Earl Cameron as Dr. Robbins
- Gordon Heath as Paul Slade
- Jocelyn Britton as Patsy
- Harry Baird as Johnnie Fiddle
- Orlando Martins as Barman
- Rupert Davies as P.C. Jack Ferris
- Freda Bamford as Sergeant Cook
- Robert Adams as Horace Big Cigar
- Yvonne Buckingham as Sapphire Robbins
- Vanda Hudson as Blonde Girl at Tulip's Club (uncredited)
- Philip Lowrie as Student (uncredited)
- Boscoe Holder as Dancer in Nightclub (uncredited)
- Basil Dignam as Doctor Burgess (uncredited)
- Fenella Fielding as Lingerie Shop Manageress (uncredited)
- Lloyd Reckord as pianist in the International Club (uncredited)
- Peter Vaughan as Detective Whitehead (uncredited)
- Victor Brooks as Police Sergeant (uncredited)
Critical reception
The New York Times wrote, "If "Sapphire" is not entirely in a class by itself, the combination of murder mystery and racial issues puts it several interesting cuts above standard movie melodrama."[6]
Paperback novelization
In April 1959, Panther Books of London issued a screenplay novelization by prolific mystery and thriller novelist E.G. Cousins.
References
- 1 2 screenonline Sapphire (1959)
- ↑ Awards for Sapphire on IMDb
- ↑ "Britmovie.co.uk".
- ↑ Britmovie.co.uk Flame in the Streets Archived 21 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Britmovie.co.uk Features, Sapphire (1959) by David Cairns
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D01E2D7133CE63BBC4B53DFB7678382649EDE
External links
- Sapphire on IMDb
- Sapphire at Rotten Tomatoes
- A. H. Weiler, "The Screen: 'Sapphire'; British Crime Story Opens at Sutton" (review), The New York Times, 3 November 1959.