TCM 365 Project Day 5: Pinky (1949)

TCM 365 Project Day 5:  Pinky (1949) directed by Elia Kazan

Elia Kazan's gritty and controversial message film concerning prejudice and race relations was astonishingly groundbreaking when viewed in the context of 1949 America- screenings in over 12 states still practiced racial segregation, after all.  In addition to national outrage at the frank depictions of interracial love and racial violence, Pinky was ultimately banned in Marshall, Texas due to a legal complaint against a theater owner- a complaint that found itself eventually elevated to the US Supreme Court.  The Court's vindication of the theater owner resulted in a ruling that was later cited in the subsequent case of Burstyn, Inc vs Wison - the case that essentially extended First Amendment protection to films.  This important social drama features brilliant turns by Jeanne Crain, Ethel Barrymore, and the remarkable Ethel Waters, who all received Academy Award nominations. 

See Pinky at IMDB