- published: 15 Aug 2016
- views: 5
Sapphire is a 1959 British crime drama. It focused on racism in London toward immigrants from the West Indies. The film was directed by Basil Dearden, and stars Nigel Patrick, Earl Cameron and Yvonne Mitchell. It received the BAFTA Award for Best Film and screenwriter Janet Green won a 1960 Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best Foreign Film Screenplay. It was a progressive movie for its time.
Earl Cameron who played the part of Dr Robbins, Sapphire's brother, would appear two years later in another English film dealing with racial issues, the 1961 film Flame in the Streets.
Dearden and Green later also collaborated on another 'social problem' film, Victim, although this one was focused on blackmail of gay men before the passage of the Sexual Offences Act 1967 provided limited decriminalisation of male homosexuality.
The film is about a pregnant girl found stabbed on Hampstead Heath. Although she appears to be white, her brother (Earl Cameron) arrives at the police station to give evidence and he is black. It becomes evident to the police officers the girl has been passing herself for white. This film reveals the underlying insecurities and fears of ordinary people that exist towards another race.
Sapphire 1959 Nigel Patrick, Yvonne Mitchell, Michael Craig, Crime, Drama, Mystery
Sapphire - Directed by Basil Dearden (1959)
Sapphire (1959) - the scene at Tulips nightclub
Sapphire (1959) - Patsy and the landlady
Philip Green: music from "Sapphire" (1959) [Johnny Dankworth]
Sapphire (1959), outside Chelsea Police Station
Sapphire - 1959 - Directed by Basil Dearden - Scene with Lesbian Police Sergeant
The Journey (1959)
Sapphire 1959
1959 Chevrolet STYLING EXPLAINED, Impala in Crown Sapphire
Sapphire 1959 Nigel Patrick, Yvonne Mitchell, Michael Craig, Crime, Drama, Mystery A pregnant college student named Sapphire Robbins (Yvonne Buckingham) is murdered in London's Hampstead Heath. When police superintendent Robert Hazard (Nigel Patrick) discovers that the victim was a light-skinned black woman passing as white, it upends his initial assumptions. Hazard and his openly racist assistant (Michael Craig) explore the city's racially tense underground jazz scene as they interview suspects, including Sapphire's white fiancé (Paul Massie). Initial release: April 21, 1959 Director: Basil Dearden Screenplay: Janet Green Music composed by: Philip Green Awards: BAFTA Award for Best British Film, Edgar Award for Best Foreign Film
A very unusual British police procedural from the 1950s, 'Sapphire' begins with the murder of a young music student. What could have been a very ordinary 'B' movie is transformed by its exposure of racial bigotry in post-War Britain. 'Sapphire' is no masterpiece and its stereotyped characters and wooden dialogue haven't aged well, but this film certainly deserves a DVD release.
A famous scene from Basil Dearden's 'Sapphire', as Nigel Patrick and Michael Craig try and locate 'Johhny', whilst hearing about 'lilyskins'
Philip Green: music from "Sapphire" (1959). Performed by Johnny Dankworth & His Orchestra.
Clip from Basil Dearden's Sapphire (1959), clip shot outside Chelsea Police Station
For a full screen glamor photo, click this link: http://www.jims59.com/59impala/images/2008June15Lowx1000.jpg 1959 Impala 4 door sedan. see http://www.jims59.com/59impala/index.html for the complete restoration of this vintage automobile.
I miss you more than words can say
What I would do just for one more day
To be lost in your eyes
And at the mercy of your touch
Ever since I've been without you
My world has turned a dark and stormy hue
And I don't know if I wanna stay here anymore
Sapphire
I have nothing to live for
Sapphire
I have nothing to breathe for
Everywhere I look I see
Constant reminders of you and me
But if I close my eyes
I see you staring back at me
If the way I feel is wrong
Then I will sing the sinner's song
I would sell my soul