Director: Alfred L. Werker
Writer(s): Ormonde Dekay Jr., Eugene Ling
Starring: Beatrice Pearson, Mel Ferrer, Susan Douglas Rubes, Robert A. Dunn, Richard Hylton, Grace Coppin, Carleton Carpenter, Seth Arnold, Wendell Holmes, Parker Fennelly, Ralph Riggs, William Greaves, Ray Saunders, Leigh Whipper, Morton Stevens, Maurice Ellis, Alexander Campbell, Edwin Cooper, Royal Beal, Canada Lee, Margaret Barker, Valerie Black, Francine Everett, John Gerstad, John Glendinning, Nancy Heye, Peter Hobbs, Peggy Kimber, Horace Mitchell, Lee Nugent, Patricia Quinn O’Hara, Emory Richardson, Bill Wendell
Synopsis: This story is a true account of the lives of Scott and Marsha Carter. Having graduated from medical school, Scott Carter, a fair-skinned African American, marries Marsha Mitchell and moves to Georgia. When he arrives at the black clinic in Georgia, he discovers that the job must inconveniently go to a Southerner. Discussions between two nurses at this clinic suggest that Scott’s light skin may have some bearing on the decision not to hire him. Defeated but not conquered, Scott returns to Massachusetts to live with his in-laws until he can get employment. He tries unsuccessfully to obtain employment as an African American. Because Marsha is pregnant, Scott decides to take a job at Portsmouth Hospital, but he reluctantly does so as a white man. While there, he manages to save the life of Dr. Bracket, who encourages him to take a position in Keenham, New Hampshire. Scott decides to continue “passing” for white. In Keenham, Dr. Scott Carter proves to be quite a success for the town. For twenty years, Dr. and Mrs. Carter live peacefully in Keenham with son, Howard and daughter, Shelley. All goes well until Scott and Howard decide to enter the military during World War II. When Scott applies for officer status with the Navy, an investigation reveals his black heritage, and he is barred from receiving a commission.
Release Date: July 2, 1949 (USA) | Length: 99 min | Genre: Drama | Certificate: NR
People I couldn’t identify: The people below have speaking roles in the film but their names were not spoken and I don’t know how to identify them.
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- Little girl at the black hospital
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- Nurse at the black hospital
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- Receptionist at the black hospital
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- Pastor who married Scott & Marcia