Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (40th Anniversary Edition)

This is a favorite movie of mine. I have totally enjoyed this movie since it first came out in the ‘60s. Sidney Poitier, Spencer Tracy and Kathryn Hepburn starred along with other big name favorites. I like the whole idea of the movie, it hit the nail on the head. Our love, kindness and caring for fellow humans is absolutely necessary to make this world what it could be.

I recently read a biography of Sidney Poitier which emphasized his role as "The Black Actor" of his time, and what this meant culturally and politicaly during the conservative 1950's and the turbulent 1960's. Poitier's mere presence in a film during this time assured black audiences that "Yes, there were roles of merit for blacks in Hollywood" while simultaneously letting white people know that all blacks were not dangerous, sex-craved animals, or buffoonish syncophants, but upstanding citizens like you and me. It seemed at times that Sidney Poitier, The Icon, overshadowed many of his screen endeavors, pushing the film's plotline into the background (with the exception of "In The Heat Of The Night") Which brings me to "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner". Released in 1967 (it was the THIRD box-office hit for Poitier in a single year. A feat no other actor since, with the exception of Tom Cruise in 1996, has accomplished) an extremely tumultous year when the nation grappled with civil rights and Vietnam, "Guess Who" provided a fresh breath of air. Its the story of a prominent black doctor, John Prentice, who falls in love with a younger white girl,Joanna. He is 37, she is 23. The couple arrive at the girls' parents' house to announce to her parents their marriage plans. But the good doctor has a secret that he is keeping from his fiance: He has promised himself that if the father (Spencer Tracy) disagrees he will not marry her. He has come to this conclusion because he knows full well the problems the two of them will face as an interracial couple, and if they have disapproving in-laws to contend with as well, the marriage might not survive. This particular aspect of Poitier's character is what nailed it for me. What a strong statement to make, and the reserve to back it! How many of us who have been fitfully in love would EVER make a proposal like this?! Most people would say to Hell with the in laws, but this is what seperated Poitier from most stars of his day and which contributed to his overall popularity. Upon its release, the film was not a CRITICAL favorite, but it was certainly a box-office fav. The problem most critics had with the film was the preposterous love story itself. "What would an accomplished doctor who had been married once want with a young, naive girl 14 years his junior? " asked many critics (as if you really had to ponder THAT one!)I have never discovered why the director Stanley Kramer put this age difference into the film in the first place, the only answer I have is that Katherine Houghton was the niece of the Great Hepburn. Nepotism strikes again, right? But that was not the most gnawing question in the film. Most critics simply missed the point. A point that the movie-going public got: It is a FANTASY. Kramer over emphasized everything, from the techni-color skies to the immaculate skin complexions of his stars, to let the public know just how ridiculous skin color prejudices (and prejudices in general) are. Poitier's character is so PERFECT, that the ONLY problem Tracy and Hepburn have with him is his skin color. Brilliant. Yes the film is dated a little, but unfortunately it is still a timely and beautiful film.

In the end love conquers all, even parents, the liberal-minded white parents who love the idea of racial equality as long as it's "other peoples" kids, and the two more conservative black parents who never thought it would enter their lives as an issue, and don't particularly like the idea of a racially mixed marriage because of the problems it will create for the kids. The quality of this dialogue, the incredible cast, the interjection of humor here and there, all blend together to make this one of the most memorable movies I've seen. The fact was that Tracy was dying and that in life both he and Hepburn had a deep and long-lasting, loving, relationship adds a depth to their dialogue that transcends the movie, and brings it to a level not seen in other movies. Others claim we haven't moved on much in racial equality since this movie was made and I strenuously disagree. No matter what many would have you believe, in the USA alone, the idea of interracial marriage, or of a black person's ability to rise to whatever heights s/he wants is only limited by themselves which wasn't so true in the 1960s. This movie was part of what helped move the integration between the races along, in fact it may have been the first to do so. It has worked. There isn't a single area of life these days which isn't color-blind against the black person who wants the job, and interracial marriage is common enough no-one notices it or cares. These days it is the prejudiced person who stands out, not the black person. That is what this film helped create, and it would be very unfair not to give it the credit it deserves by admitting the truth that it has worked so well.

Excellent movie that is still relevant today. Have watched it several times and look forward to always watching it again like visiting with an old friend. Great performances highly recommend.

Wonderful old actors,beautiful setting, the discussions the various actors had throughout the film were done extremely well. This movie should really challenge a person to re-evaluate any feelings of prejudice and give them something to think about for a very long time. Every family should have a copy of this film.

"Guess Who's Coming To Dinner" brings to light what was never accepted or acknowledged during that time period. Sidney Poitier has always been a superior actor. This included an all star cast with Spencer Tracey and Katherine Hepburn. It holds humor, romance and a tough subject matter for its time, which is still relevant today. Love this movie! An all time classic.

It takes a lot of creativity to make a movie on such a delicate topic. I forgot how good the acting was and remember that each comment that the individual characters make is from THEIR POV, not ours, not to be compared with 2024 but what was THEIR reality back then. I would watch it again and again!