Film

For Love Of Ivy

A 1968 romantic comedy at the Skirball

by Olga Belogolova   |   Feb 8, 2010

For Love Of Ivy

 

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For Love of Ivy is a 1968 romantic company, which was the first mainstream film to depict a mature romantic relationship between two African-American leading characters. Abbey Lincoln stars as Ivy Moore, the much-valued maid of the white Austin household.

When Ivy announces her decision to leave her job working for the family to go to secretarial school, they are determined to keep her. To ensure that Ivy won’t quit, the teenagers of the Austin household, Gena and Tim, set Ivy up with Jack Parks (Sidney Poitier), a trucking company executive, whom they blackmail into romancing her. Tim Austin persuades Jack to date her by threatening to reveal his illegal gambling casino.

While the pair begins as an awkward set-up, their romance eventually blossoms, but what happens when Ivy discovers that Parks was coerced into dating her?

Directed by Daniel Mann and written by Sidney Poitier with screenwriter Robert Alan Arthur, the film was nominated for two Golden Globes. In addition, the musical score, composed by Quincy Jones, was nominated for an Oscar in its time, so it is definitely worth it to take a look and even listen.

Tuesday, Feb 9 1:30pm
Skirball Cultural Center
Los Angeles, CA
Price: Free; no reservations
Phone: (310) 440-4500