Has any modern actor ever had a year like Poitier's 1967, in which he starred in three hit films--GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER; TO SIR, WITH LOVE; and IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (all in the top 11 films at the box office), with the latter two being critically acclaimed as well?
One of the few, true pioneers of cinema. Always admired him and his work. He was consistently impressive and believable in whatever he was in, from To Sir with Love, The Defiant Ones, In the Heat of the Night, Duel at Diablo, Lilies in the Field, Bedford Incident, Long Ships, Buck and the Preacher, right through to a great turn opposite Tom Berenger in Deadly Pursuit and another opposite Richard Gere in The Jackal. Legend gets overused but Poitier was a genuine one.
Rip virgil
Gillespie: "What do they call you up there?" Virgil Tibbs: "....They call me MISTER TIBBS!"
I've been hearing Lulu's voice singing, TO SIR, WITH LOVE in my head all day.
Song written by Don Black and Mark London (husband of Lulu's longtime manager Marion Massey).
I love that song! It was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart for three weeks in 10/'67 (but was passed over for a Oscar nomination for Best Song, much to Lulu and Marion Massey's dismay).
One of my favourite actors ... Bill has mentioned a few roles but I'll add Sneakers (1992) which I watched - yet again - very recently. It was only a small role, amongst a bunch of talented actors, but his class was paramount.
And as others have already posted musical links ... I'll jump in and say that the score to this film is one of my favourites (perhaps top) ... with mention of The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), albeit never seen, also highly rated. I'm ignoring Gershwin's Porgy and Bess (1959) for obvious reasons.
I just watched No Way Out, his first starring role, and even with how well made it was, and how clever the script, what was most apparent was how comfortable he was in that starring role. Like the movie says.. "Ain't it a lot to ask us to be better when we get killed for trying to prove we're as good." It was then, and it still is. For him it took more than talent and determination, it took more than most of us can understand.
Has any modern actor ever had a year like Poitier's 1967, in which he starred in three hit films--GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER; TO SIR, WITH LOVE; and IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (all in the top 11 films at the box office), with the latter two being critically acclaimed as well?
Jim Carrey in 1994 with Ace Ventura, The Mask and Dumb and Dumber.
Yes Warlock, those are the two words I'd use too. He exuded a kind of quiet authority which made him a kind of role model. In a curious way (when you think about it) I associate him in my mind with Atticus Finch as played by Gregory Peck.
