For Love of Ivy
US (1968): Comedy/Romance
When this film was first released, much was made of its "significance"; specifically, it was lauded the first mainstream Hollywood film to depict a mature romantic relationship between a black man and woman. This angle seems archaic nowadays, but at base the film still works. Sidney Poitier stars as Jack Parks, a trucking executive who runs an illegal travelling casino out of one of his vehicles. Abbey Lincoln co-stars as Ivy Moore, the much-valued maid of the white Austin household. To make sure that Ivy won't quit her job, Frank Austin (Carroll O'Connor) blackmails Poitier into romancing her. He eventually falls in love with Ivy for real, but not before she's discovered that he's little more than a "hired hand" in affairs of the heart. The film is stolen hands-down by Beau Bridges as amiable hippie Tim Austin, the only truly likeable member of his snooty, upper-crust clan. Robert Alan Aurthur based his screenplay on an original story by star Sidney Poiter. Daniel Mann directs for Cinerama. (Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide)
1 nomination
· Music Best Song 1968: "For Love of Ivy" Quincy Jones - Music, Bob Russell - Lyric