To Sir with Love (1967)
Grade: 64
Sidney Poitier had a banner year in 1967. He starred in three commercially successful and critically acclaimed films: "In the Heat of the Night", "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner", and "To Sir with Love". While none of the films were as good as their reputation, which was enhanced by Hollywood's sudden self-consciousness regarding past racism, the films seemed better than they were because of the presence of Poitier. He seems more than a mere actor, or even a role model. Poitier's characters are as interchangeable as John Wayne's. Essentially, he is perfect: intelligent, thoughtful, courteous, with a sense of humor. If you really act like a jerk, you can make Poitier angry, but his anger is never righteous or vengeful, and it doesn't last long.
In "Blackboard Jungle" from 1955, Poitier played a student from a troubled, low-income high school. Glenn Ford was a determined, concerned teacher. Twelve years later, "To Sir with Love" was a role reversal for Poitier, as he is cast as the teacher. This time, the high school is set in London, with the rebellious students having working-class British accents.
Frustrated by his student's lack of manners, Poitier gives up teaching them with books. Instead, he lectures them about how to behave as adults. This being a movie, they soon come around, wearing beatific smiles and becoming polite. All except for troublemaker Christian Roberts, who doesn't learn respect for Poitier until he punches him in the stomach. Which demonstrates that courtesy will only take you so far in the real world. Poitier must also sidestep advances from lovestruck student Judy Geeson.
Like "Blackboard Jungle", "To Sir with Love" generated a number one hit single: the melodic title song by Lulu. Lulu also redeems herself capably in a supporting role. The Mindbenders, a British rock group whose drippy hit "Groovy Kind of Love" was then contemporary, also show up at a dance gig.
kollers@mpsi.net http://members.tripod.com/~Brian_Koller/movies.html
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