# Sidney Poitier has died **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** celebrity-death\ **Created:** [January 7, 2022, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376 "2022-01-07T15:28:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376/21 "2022-01-07T21:07:57Z")
There are several people I like better as actors, but I can’t think of any actors I admire more as a person. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376/22 "2022-01-07T22:32:17Z")
“Lilies of the Field” was the first movie of his I ever saw. The byplay between him and the old German nun was priceless. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376/23 "2022-01-07T22:37:17Z")
> [@alovem](#): > > Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner Was that movie controversial at the time? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376/24 "2022-01-07T22:40:32Z")
The “slap” heard around the world. I heard that in some theaters, the crowd cheered. “What are you gonna do about it?” “I…don’t know.” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/2UrB8TI5El4/maxresdefault.jpg "In the Heat of the Night (8/10) Movie CLIP - Slapping Endicott (1967) HD") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UrB8TI5El4) ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376/25 "2022-01-07T23:10:32Z")
Well if anyone wants to watch his last movie (which probably no one here has) it is free with ads on Tubi (another streaming service I have never heard of): [https://tubitv.com/movies/576118?utm\_source=justwatch-feed&tracking=justwatch-feed](https://tubitv.com/movies/576118?utm_source=justwatch-feed&tracking=justwatch-feed) ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376/26 "2022-01-07T23:19:23Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Well if anyone wants to watch his last movie (which probably no one here has) I watched it when it aired on TV. Who’d miss watching Poitier? ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376/27 "2022-01-07T23:21:16Z")
I got this from the top review at IMDB: > This film was supposed to air on CBS on April 15, 2001. For some reason CBS ended up changing the schedule so as far as I know this film as never been shown. I got a promo copy somehow. Sidney Poitier is a 73 year old brickmaker. He has recently lost his wife. He befriends a young troubled boy and teaches him some of life’s lessons. The movie is predictable but still worth taking a look at if you are a Sidney Poitier fan. > **[The Last Brickmaker in America (TV Movie 2001) ⭐ 7.3 | Drama](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0255313/)** > > 1h 25m | PG ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376/28 "2022-01-07T23:25:45Z")
It certainly was shown. I especially remember his character referring to the collective plural noun (?) “brick” instead of “bricks”, as in “500 brick over there”. It was a pretty informative movie all around. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376/29 "2022-01-08T00:28:57Z")
When the movie was scripted and filmed, inter-racial marriage was illegal in one third of the country. It was just six months before its release that the Loving decision was handed down by the Suprme Court. Even today, there’s a large enough percentage of people in the United States who decry inter-racial relationships. Check out [Annie X-mas’s thread from 7 1/2 years ago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13-of-americans-do-not-believe-in-inter-racial-marriage/687807). ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376/30 "2022-01-08T00:29:02Z")
The closing scene of _Lilies of the Field_. Amen Sidney Poitier! [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/rn6w255CGkk/hqdefault.jpg "Lilies of the Field - Amen") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn6w255CGkk) However, it’s not Poitier singing, according to WIkipedia. His acting in the scene is still great, though. “Jester Hairston, who wrote the gospel arrangement of _Amen_ used in the film and who arranged the vocal parts, dubbed the vocals for Poitier, who was tone-deaf.” ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376/31 "2022-01-08T01:03:41Z")
Am I the only one who saw his film, _To Sir, with Love II_? I know _To Sir, with Love_ was based on E. R. Braithwaite’s autobiography, but I have no idea if the sequel (a made-for TV movie) was also autobiographical or if it was just fiction. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376/32 "2022-01-08T01:14:46Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Am I the only one who saw his film, _To Sir, with Love II_ ? I saw it! ---
**Author:** ![El\_Famous\_Burrito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_famous_burrito/32/3954_2.png) [@El\_Famous\_Burrito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Famous_Burrito)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376/33 "2022-01-08T01:14:46Z")
I know that _Sneakers_ (1992) is unlikely to make any mentions in his obituaries, but that film was my introduction to Poitier and remains one of my favorites. “You get to do all the fun stuff.” ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376/34 "2022-01-08T09:03:42Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Was that movie controversial at the time? Well, I was just a child when it was released (ahem), so I can’t say, but it’s probably safe to assume that it was. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376/35 "2022-01-08T15:57:22Z")
I remember watching The Defiant Ones (with Tony Curtis) years ago, it was a great movie, I’d love to see it again. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376/36 "2022-01-08T16:13:56Z")
I was going to link to a clip from Pressure Point, but it seems that the whole movie is on YouTube. [- YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kvxBMk5WVU) ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376/37 "2022-01-08T16:48:51Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > When the movie was scripted and filmed, inter-racial marriage was illegal in one third of the country. It was just six months before its release that the Loving decision was handed down by the Suprme Court. > > Even today, there’s a large enough percentage of people in the United States who decry inter-racial relationships. Check out [Annie X-mas’s thread from 7 1/2 years ago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/13-of-americans-do-not-believe-in-inter-racial-marriage/687807). And yet it was a big hit at the time even in the South. The Wikipedia article links to some criticism at the time from the black community that Poitier’s character was unrealistically perfect. A script problem of course, not an acting problem. The film got a lot of publicity for its subject matter but also because Spencer Tracy died 17 days after filming. I happen to agree with the criticisms. It’s overwrought at times and filled with unrealistic soliloquies. It might be better suited for the stage. The acting from 3 out of the 4 leads (really 5 out of 6) were fine to great but the script was not. I believe it’s a case where the film is much more important than it is good. On the other hand I could watch _In the Heat of the Night_ every day for the rest of my life. Two power house actors at the height of their abilities. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376/38 "2022-01-08T18:47:50Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Am I the only one who saw his film, _To Sir, with Love II_ ? What?? Certainly not! (Of course, ya have to be old to have seen it when it first came out…which I am.) > [@El\_Famous\_Burrito](#): > > I know that _Sneakers_ (1992) is unlikely to make any mentions in his obituaries, but that film was my introduction to Poitier and remains one of my favorites. I love that [movie](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105435https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/1/7/2073271/-This-is-a-story-about-Sidney-Poitier-that-my-grandfather-used-to-tell?pm_source=story_sidebar&pm_medium=web&pm_campaign=recommended/)! I own it and have watched it a zillion times. Great cast! Poitier is fabulous. The best part is when the blind David Strathairn drives the van _in reverse_! * * * * * * Wonderful Poitier story: > **[This is a story about Sidney Poitier that my grandfather used to tell](https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/1/7/2073271/-This-is-a-story-about-Sidney-Poitier-that-my-grandfather-used-to-tell?pm_source=story_sidebar&pm_medium=web&pm_campaign=recommended)** > > Legendary actor and activist Sidney Poitier passed away on Friday. There will be many things written about Poitier, all of them true, and all of them important reminders of a powerful and elegant man who defied injustice and racism, and won... At the opening night of _A Raisin in the Sun_– > … > My grandfather said that the Broadway audience gave it a standing ovation, cheering as flowers were brought up to the cast, followed by ovation after ovation, Poitier glorious and dynamic. My grandfather and others began calling for “the writer!” and Poitier looked about before leaping from the stage and into the audience, racing through the applauding patrons to find and pick up onto his shoulder the diminutive Lorraine Hansberry and carry her through the cheers to the stage. > … Whoa! That gives me goosebumps all over! What a moment! ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2022, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376/39 "2022-01-09T04:37:25Z")
> [@El\_Famous\_Burrito](#): > > I know that _Sneakers_ (1992) is unlikely to make any mentions in his obituaries, but that film was my introduction to Poitier and remains one of my favorites. Who would have thought that the first member of the main cast to die would be the youngest one (River Phoenix, who died of a drug overdose the following year)? As for _Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner_, Sidney Poitier’s character is almost too perfect, as a doctor working for the WHO. (And note that the actress playing the daughter was Katherine Hepburn’s real-life niece.) ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376/40 "2022-01-10T07:43:57Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Wonderful Poitier story: > [This is a story about Sidney Poitier that my grandfather used to tell](https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/1/7/2073271/-This-is-a-story-about-Sidney-Poitier-that-my-grandfather-used-to-tell?pm_source=story_sidebar&pm_medium=web&pm_campaign=recommended) > > At the opening night of _A Raisin in the Sun_– > > > … > > My grandfather said that the Broadway audience gave it a standing ovation, cheering as flowers were brought up to the cast, followed by ovation after ovation, Poitier glorious and dynamic. My grandfather and others began calling for “the writer!” and Poitier looked about before leaping from the stage and into the audience, racing through the applauding patrons to find and pick up onto his shoulder the diminutive Lorraine Hansberry and carry her through the cheers to the stage. > > … > > Whoa! That gives me goosebumps all over! What a moment! Wonderful story! And, sadly, Lorraine Hansberry died 57 years ago. She was only 34 and born in 1930, 3 years after Poitier. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sidney-poitier-has-died/957376.md?page=3)