With Civil Rights movement in full swing, 1960s was a turbulent era in American history. Black V/s White – the skin color had assumed a great social significance and it had also become the focal point of confrontation. Blacks were fighting the age-old racial discrimination by the socio-economically and educationally stronger whites and the grudges were centuries-old. The integration of blacks into the mainstream was preached by liberal whites but it was still unclear whether they would ever put it into practice. Plagued by doubts and distrust, both races looked at each other with suspicion. Director Stanley Kramer’s 1967-film Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner explored this socio-cultural divide through a touching and heartwarming tale.

 

Returning early from her Hawaii vacation, 23 year-old Joanna Drayton (Katharine Houghton) springs a real surprise on her family when she walks in toe with her newfound love- a 37- year old Dr. John Prentice (Sidney Poitier).The shock is even more pronounced because the Draytons are whites and Prentice is black! The black doctor has impeccable credentials. He is a world- renowned authority on Tropical diseases. The young girl is head over heels in love with him and is quite sure of getting a quick go-ahead for her marriage from her father (Spencer Tracy), who is a social crusader publisher and her mother (Katharine Hepburn) – a liberal- thinking art-gallery owner. But even though the mother comes around quickly to accept her daughter’s decision, the father is unable to make up his mind. He is more worried about the uncertain future for his daughter after an interracial marriage. He also feels forced into a corner by the couple’s deadline, which leaves him just a few hours to contemplate matters. To complicate matters further, Joanna also invites Dr. John’s parents over for dinner.

 

Even for John’s father, seeing a white fiancée for his son is a rude shock. This retired black mailman, who toiled hard all his life to secure good education and better future for his son, almost sees this act as a betrayal. John’s mother is more understanding and willing to accept this marriage since it would bring back real happiness in her widower son’s life. As the two families mingle with each other to decide on John and Joanna’s marriage-plans, two steadfast fathers would need to look beyond their socio-cultural doubts. They would need to delve deep down their hearts to remember what it was like to be in love.

 

Criticized for being more mushy and melodramatic than realistic and hard-hitting, this film boasting many memorable performances still makes the point that it set out to make. It shows that whatever may be the color of our skin, at core all of us are human beings with same emotions and prejudices and to see the broader picture, one has to let go off the tunnel vision!