A Patch of Blue – 1965 Movie and Book by Elizabeth Kata

She remembers the sky being blue. After being accidentally blinded by her mother at a young age, Selina, played by Elizabeth Hartman, remembers the blue sky. Living in darkness and under the oppression of her mother, Selina now seeks patches of blue.

The mother, played by Shelley Winters, is manipulative and keeps Selina as a servant. The mother has a bad attitude and everyone in the audience wants Selina to get away from her. Shelley Winters played the part so well that she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for this role. I know I did not like her character.

A caterpillar falls from a tree, out of the blue, and down Selina’s dress. She is in the park and after yelling for help Gordon Ralfe (Sidney Poitier) arrives to retrieve the caterpillar. A friendship ensues with love following not too far behind. Selina has found a glimpse of her patch of blue.

All is going along fine until Mom finds out what is going on. Mom is a racist and Selina is color blind. The tension is well played out with an ending worth waiting for. Selina gets her patch of blue.

The movie was shot in black and white but the production value and acting make this a movie that will survive the ages. If you have never seen it, then take this opportunity to watch A Patch of Blue. It might help you to look for your patch.

Do you really like this movie and want more? The movie is based on the novel by Elizabeth Kata. Get Elizabeth Kata’s novel, Patch of Blue at Amazon today.