I’ve always been a fan of classic films, especially movies that were controversial in their time. It fascinates me to see how different the world once was, even as recently as fifty years ago. Culture is constantly evolving, so many of the movies that were controversial in their time are now simply works of art. These are a few of my favorite films that, for varied reasons, received criticism when they were released.
1. A Patch of Blue (1965)
Let me say that out of all of the movies that were controversial in their time, my absolute favorite is “A Patch of Blue”. This marvelous film tells the tale of a blind, white girl (Elizabeth Hartmen) with a racist mother (Shelley Winters) who befriends an educated, black man, (Sidney Poitier). Not only does this movie feature stellar acting and an emotional plot, but it reminds you of a time when equality didn’t mean what it means today. In fact, certain scenes from “A Patch of Blue” were cut out when it was first released, so as to avoid offending audiences.
2. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? (1967)
Another one of my favorites, this controversial film features Sidney Poitier, Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, and Katharine Houghton. With a star-studded cast like that, this movie became an instant classic! What made this movie such a hot topic was the fact that Sidney Poitier’s character was engaged to Katharine Houghton. As in with "A Patch of Blue", world wide audiences had to wrestle with the concept of interracial relationships, and determine whether it was right or wrong.
3. The Defiant Ones (1958)
I think it’s clear now that I just have a thing for Sidney Poitier, who starred in this film alongside Tony Curtis. Most of Poitier’s films were controversial, as the screen was his medium for challenging unfair social standards. This particular film depicts two escaped convicts, one black and one white, who are chained together and must learn to cooperate as they try to run from the authorities. "The Defiant Ones" proved that race had nothing to do with a man’s right to freedom.
4. Imitation of Life (1959)
I only watched “Imitation of Life” recently, after months of my mother telling me it was a must-see. And she was 100% right! This film is worth watching today, despite its once controversial nature. "Imitation of Life" describes the lives of two women, one black and one white, who become close friends, live together, and raise their daughters together. While their lives are seemingly perfect, lurking beneath the surface are the grudges each daughter holds against her mother. Ultimately, the light-skinned black daughter rejects her mother and runs away, passing for white in 1950's America.
5. Suddenly, Last Summer (1959)
I don’t think there is a movie more controversial than “Suddenly, Last Summer”. Tennessee Williams was known for pushing the envelope with the themes of his plays, but "Suddenly, Last Summer", which was adapted from his one-act play, still took me by surprise. This movie is nothing short of a masterpiece, with Katherine Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor as leading ladies, both of whom received Oscar nominations for their performances. Tennessee Williams wove mental illness, homosexuality, and even cannibalism into the script, creating a piece that would receive overwhelming criticism and curiosity from audiences around the world.
6. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
Elizabeth Taylor is one of my favorite actresses. She was always so elegant, poised, and refined in her roles... that is until “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” premiered. This film redefined Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton as actors, forever changing fans’ views of these Hollywood royals. The academy award winning film dealt with alcoholism and severe mental illness without sugar-coating either. The entire plot takes place in one night, and is merely a glimpse at a bitter couple’s life, yet the film successfully roused much debate from its audience.
7. Splendor in the Grass (1961)
Splendor in the Grass, starring Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty, certainly earns a spot on the list of my favorite controversial movies. This film begins as a tale of forbidden love in a small Kansas town, but deals with heavy topics as the movie progresses. Natalie Wood plays Wilma Dean Loomis, a confused young woman who doesn’t know how to express the love she feels for her boyfriend within the limits of what her society deems respectable, ultimately leading to a mental breakdown. In my opinion, “Splendor in the Grass” deserves as much adoration today as criticism it received in the past.
I love any and all classic movies because they portray a certain charm most of our movies lack today. But, as difficult as it is for me to believe, there was a time when some of my favorite movies were disapproved of by audiences all the world over just for challenging social norms! Luckily, today these controversial films can be appreciated as the gems that they are. Which of these movies would you like to see? Are there any of your favorite films missing from my list?