Bright Road (1953)

An idealistic young schoolteacher (Dorothy Dandridge) sees the potential in a troubled young boy (Philip Hepburn) and takes him under her wing. Based on the short story SEE HOW THEY RUN by Mary Elizabeth Vroman and directed by Gerald Mayer (DIAL 1119). Only rarely did the major film studios make films focused on African American characters and when they did, it was usually in musicals (CABIN IN THE SKY, STORMY WEATHER). This movie is unusual in that it doesn't deal with racial conflict or the socio-economic plight of black America. Instead, it puts away the stereotypes and focuses on a teacher's attempt to reach a talented student who rejects the notion of education. It's not an especially notable film but its sincerity is authentic and Dandridge as the teacher and young Hepburn as the boy are very good. Alas, the audience for a movie like this just wasn't there in 1953 but Dandridge would score a triumph the following year when she became the first black actress to be nominated in the best actress category for CARMEN JONES. With Harry Belafonte in his film debut, Robert Horton (the only white character in the film) and Maidie Norman.