Sidney Poitier

In this podcast episode, HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano discuss the career of Sidney Poitier, who became a movie star in an era when few black actors had leading roles in Hollywood movies. This breakthrough performer made his debut with "No Way Out" in 1950, and went on to appear in such important films as "The Defiant Ones" (1958), "A Raisin in the Sun" (1961), "Lilies of the Field" (1963) and "A Patch of Blue" (1965). Marie and Mike talk about how these screen roles express the civil rights movement of the time. Indeed, Poitier made three films in 1967 that speak directly to topical issues: "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," "In the Heat of the Night" and "To Sir with Love." Marie and Mike really admire this actor, and so they hope you check out some of his signature roles.