lifestyle WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

MUSIC & MOVIES 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner' legacy debated on anniversary

ifty years ago, Katharine Houghton found African-American doctor Hepburn's niece So much racism herself on her first big movie set making Houghton sees both sides but views the Critics said it was ultimately a cautious Interracial couples are now used in Madison Fsomething that made plenty of people movie as revolutionary. "I think the film really movie without much bite. Yes, there was a kiss Avenue-made commercials, indicating a growing deeply worried. Houghton and co-star Sidney was a kind of a thunderbolt," she said. "A lot of but Poitier and Houghton locked lips only acceptance. The US Census Bureau reports inter- Poitier were playing lovers in "Guess Who's very chic critics today say, 'Oh, "Guess Who's once, captured in a rearview mirror in the back racial opposite-sex married couple households Coming to Dinner," a romantic comedy directed Coming to Dinner" was way behind the times. All of a cab. Detractors said Poitier's character was grew by 28 percent over the decade from 7 per- by Stanley Kramer. Shooting had begun in San those problems were already solved and we did- too perfect - and a man who in one scene cent in 2000 to 10 percent in 2010. Houghton Francisco when word came that the movie was n't need a movie like that.' I think we did need a seemed to imply he was post-race - and takes no credit for any of it, saying she's just an canceled. It was an insurance problem, the stu- movie like that." Houghton played a young white Houghton's character was a rich and pretty girl actress. When asked if the film pushed the nee- dio explained. The timing seemed suspicious to woman studying in Hawaii who brings home an who wasn't his equal. "Any criticism of the film dle of change, she pauses. "There's no question the actors. "Columbia Pictures, when they accomplished African-American doctor and was really for the left, for it not being daring that art is a very powerful medium - television found out what the film was about, they didn't informs her parents - played by Katharine enough," said David Schwartz, chief curator at and film, in particular," she said. "But, let me put it want to do it. And they did everything they Hepburn and Spencer Tracy - that she intends to the Museum of the Moving Image in New York this way, 'Why do we still have so much racism? could to stop filming," recalls Houghton. "They marry him. Chaos ensues as her liberal parents City. "A lot of times with Hollywood, the movies Why? Why do we need to have Black Lives kept saying, 'Nobody's going to ever come and grapple with the concept of interracial marriage. are reflecting changes that are happening any- Matter?' Of course, black lives matter. All lives see this film. We're going to lose millions of The film, re-released this spring in a Blu-ray way. The film just captured a change that was In this file photo, actress and playwright matter. All lives deserve the opportunity." dollars on this film.'" edition , served as a challenge to liberals, a sort starting to take place." Katharine Houghton, who starred in the 1967 Monica White Ndounou, author of "Shaping The studio was wrong. The movie made more of modern-day fable made palatable with come- Columbia Pictures wanted to shut down the film ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’ with the Future of African American Film," said "Guess money for Columbia than any film before it, dy. Most parents would be supportive of their production, arguing it couldn't get insurance for Sidney Poitier, poses for photographs in New Who's Coming to Dinner" could have done a bet- earned 10 Oscar nominations - winning two - daughter's involvement with Poitier's character - Tracy, who was gravely ill (he would die just days York. — AP ter job of forcing liberal audiences to confront and landed among the 100 greatest movies a handsome, charming, well-educated doctor on after shooting wrapped). Hepburn and Kramer their prejudices and of reaching out to black selected by the American Film Institute. The film, his way to work with the World Health agreed to put their salaries in escrow in case would become president. "I thought, 'Wow that audiences. But she respects the attempt. "If any- with its radical-for-its-time interracial romance, Organization. Only his race could be a sticking Tracy couldn't finish and another actor needed was kind of prophetic.'" More Hollywood thing, we can take what we've learned from this marked the first time a white actress and a black point. The social backdrop was far different in to be hired. Houghton, Hepburn's niece, was attempts to tackle interracial relationships would film, whether it's the failure or accomplishment actor kissed in a major motion picture. Some 1967. While the film was being shot, more than a frustrated that a scene in which she confronted follow, including Spike Lee's "Jungle Fever," of it, and we can continue to work toward telling movie theaters in the South refused to show it. dozen states had laws against miscegenation. her parents was cut but noted with pleasure Anthony Drazan's "Zebrahead," "Something more stories about the humanity of people and Fifty years later, some cheer its legacy while oth- The same year it came out, Secretary of State another one in which her character was asked New" with Sanaa Lathan, "Guess Who" with the ways in which they love each other," she said. ers look back and wince. Fans see its effects in Dean Rusk offered to resign after his daughter what would happen to their biracial children. Bernie Mac and "Loving" starring Ruth Negga. A "To me, that's the message." — AP modern films, like Jordan Peele's new hit, "Get married a black man. Interracial romance was In the film, she says they will grow up to "be stage version of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" Out," and in commercials for Cheerios and Chase such an explosive topic that Beah Richards, who president of the United States and they'll all have has been mounted - most recently in Boston Bank celebrating interracial couples. Critics think played Poitier's mother in the film, couldn't see it colorful administrations." Years later, the biracial starring Malcolm-Jamal Warner. it didn't go far enough to confront racism. in her hometown of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Barack Obama, whose parents met in Hawaii,

Judge rejects Polanski bid to Review draw line under child sex case US judge on Monday rejected a Hanisee wrote in a filing to the court that motion by fugitive filmmaker Roman Polanski "wants answers-but will only show APolanski seeking assurances that he up if he likes the answers." "He forfeited his can return to the United States without fear right to make requests of the court when he of being jailed for having sex with a minor fled," she added. Braun, however, dismissed four decades ago. The Oscar-winning direc- the ruling as "one more attempt by the Los tor of "The Pianist" and "Chinatown" was Angeles Superior Court to cover up for past accused of drugging the 13-year-old before judicial misconduct." Polanski has been raping her at film star Jack Nicholson's engaged in a decades-long cat-and-mouse In this file photo, Harrison Ford greets fans during a Star house in Los Angeles in 1977. He admitted game with US officials seeking his extradi- Wars fan event in Sydney, Australia. — AP statutory rape after a number of more seri- tion for trial, before a global audience split ous charges were dropped, and spent an between continuing outrage and forgive- initial 42 days in jail before getting out on ness for his acts. He was arrested in bail ahead of his trial. But in 1978, convinced Switzerland in 2009 on a US extradition In this image released by STX Entertainment, Sam Clafin, left, and Gemma Arterton Harrison Ford a judge was going to scrap his plea deal and request and spent 10 months under house appear in a scene from, ‘Their Finest’. — AP send him to prison for decades, he fled for arrest before Bern rejected the US order. avoids action over near France and has been on the run ever since. His attorney Harland Braun told Los 'No sense' Angeles Superior Court the 83-year-old film- The United States then asked Poland to 'Their Finest' stylishly miss plane landing maker, who lives in Paris, had "already done extradite Polanski in January 2015, but the his time" and wanted to resolve the case country's Supreme Court ruled in December blends wit, romance in WWII ollywood star Harrison Ford is to avoid punishment with a finding that he has completed his that he had served his time under the plea over a near-miss at a California airport as he was pilot- sentence. He asked Judge Scott Gordon to deal. Braun has also written to Gordon to heir Finest " is a movie about mak- insider jokes, like when they go out to the Hing his private plane, his lawyer told AFP on Monday. order prosecutors to give some indication of unseal a secret transcript of the testimony of ing a movie, specifically a glossy past-his-prime actor Ambrose Hilliard (Bill Ford, a seasoned pilot and vintage plane collector, was how much time-if any-they want Polanski to Roger Gunson, the prosecutor in the "Tpropaganda film meant to bolster Nighy, always the scene stealer) for the approaching John Wayne Airport in Orange County in serve if he returns. Gordon ruled, however, Polanski case, collected in 2010 in the US. morale in Britain in the darkest days of the "corpse role" of the drunken father who's February when he headed toward a taxiway rather than the that there was "no sufficient or compelling The lawyer believes the testimony supports Second World War. It is also very much a described as being a "shipwreck of a man" runway, passing over a Boeing 737 with 110 passengers and basis for reconsideration of these issues." Polanski's claim that he had an agreement movie-movie. Good-looking, finely acted, and who is in his 60s but "looks older." six crew on board. The 74-year-old "Indiana Jones" star was to serve just 48 days and that-taken with the well-told, director Lone Scherfig ("An captured on air traffic control recordings released subse- Cat-and-mouse Polish decision-it should convince US Education") has made a charming, witty and Less glamorous than usual quently by the Federal Aviation Administration calling himself "The people have unambiguously stated authorities that Polanski has served his time. romantic gem. It is "Shakespeare in Love" in Ambrose of course thinks he's being con- a "schmuck," and saying he had been distracted by two jets. their desire to avoid discussing any substan- A decision will be made on this motion World War II. Adapted by Gaby Chiappe from sidered for the part of the hero and is stunned Ford's lawyer Stephen Hofer, president of Santa Monica- tive issues regarding Polanski's case until he on April 26, the court said. Braun said he the novel "Their Finest Hour and a Half" by to realize otherwise. They're also, late in the based Aerlex Law Group, said in a statement the FAA had is physically present in the court's jurisdic- was surprised to hear about the judge's Lissa Evans, "Their Finest" is centered on Catrin game, instructed that they have to cast an notified the actor that it had "closed its inquiry" into the tion," Gordon wrote in a 13-page ruling. decision at the same time that the media Cole (a luminous Gemma Arterton), a copy- American in the film because, in addition to February 13 incident. "The FAA conducted a full investiga- "The district attorney is acting well within was informed. "This morning he set a hear- writer hired by the government to help write British propaganda, the government now tion into the matter, including an interview with Mr Ford, her discretion to decline to state a position ing on April 26 about unsealing the tran- the "slop," or female dialogue, for a film meant needs this film to persuade the US to help out and determined that no administrative or enforcement to defendant absent from court and in war- script of Mr Gunson and he basically then to lift the spirits of a war weary citizenry. with the war efforts. The star they have in action was warranted," Hofer told AFP. "Mr Ford retains his rant status." The district attorney's office had rules, which really took me by surprise," he mind is a real Air Force pilot, Carl Lundbeck pilot's certificate without restriction. In closing the matter, objected to what they say amounted to an told AFP. "I didn't believe it when someone Disabled and temperamental artist (Jake Lacy) - a Captain America type with the agency acknowledged Mr. Ford's long history of compli- "advance preview" of Polanski's potential called me... It makes no sense, it's confusing. She's a sort of proto-Peggy Olson whose golden locks and a million dollar smile. You ance with the federal aviation regulations and his coopera- sentence. "The people simply do not believe He's denied the motion but he's going to talents and thick skin get her a place at the can guess how that goes. But just because tive attitude during the investigation." that it is in the best interests of justice to have a hearing about unsealing it." He said table alongside the men (although she is, they some of the beats are predictable doesn't The FAA does not identify individual pilots and was not give a wealthy celebrity different treatment he would probably speak with Polanski to make sure to hammer home, paid less than mean that "Their Finest" is ineffective - quite immediately available for comment, but was quoted by from any other fugitive from justice," Deputy discuss the case. — AFP her male counterparts). Catrin takes the job the opposite. The elegantly composed script Variety magazine as confirming it had concluded its investi- District Attorney Michele Hanisee said. out of necessity - her husband Ellis (Jack even begins to mirror the film within the film gation. The FAA said at the time of the incident that air traffic Huston) is a disabled and temperamental as the romantic tension grows between Catrin controllers had cleared "the pilot of a single-engine Aviat artist whose bleak industrial landscapes aren't and Tom. Both need an ending, but what will Husky" to land. The American Airlines jetliner managed to selling and thus not bringing in any money for it be? Claflin in particular is a standout, ironi- depart safely for Dallas, Texas, just minutes after the incident, their rent. Although Ellis tries to talk her out of cally because he's been made to look less according to reports. "Yeah, hi, it's Husky Eight-Niner Hotel the work, Catrin comes alive in the writer's glamorous than usual. His mousy brown hair, Uniform and the schmuck that landed on the taxiway," Ford room, sparring with the egotistical lead writer rounded specs and layers of tweeds and wool is heard saying on the FAA recording immediately after the Tom Buckley (Sam Claflin) as they try to meld lets his real acting heft shine through. You incident. minds to make a compelling story out of a actually believe he's the underdog. When the air traffic controller said it's "no big deal," Ford newspaper account of twin sisters who stole Without giving too much away, there is a responded that "it's a big deal for me." The FAA prohibits air- their alcoholic father's boat to rescue soldiers beat (you'll know it when it comes) that might craft landing on taxiways and sanctions for pilots found at from Dunkirk. sour things for some audiences, but it's not fault can range from a warning letter to a suspension of their It's a relentlessly appealing take on the cre- enough to destroy all the good that's there. license. Ford suffered a broken arm and minor head injuries ative process, laced with humor and insight as Inspiring, funny and genuinely romantic, when he crash-landed a World War II plane on a Santa Monica Tom and Catrin bicker and banter about just "Their Finest" is a solid, refreshing crowd- golf course two years ago, after the carburetor failed. He also who the hero should be (a man or the pleaser. "Their Finest," an STX Entertainment crash-landed a helicopter during a flying lesson in Ventura woman?), and how strictly they should adhere release, is rated R by the Motion Picture County, California, in 1999 and, a year later, his Beechcraft to the facts (not much, and, by the way, be Association of America for "some language Bonanza scraped the runway during an emergency landing in sure to cut out the boring parts). What ends and a scene of sexuality." Running time: 117 Nebraska. A longtime aviation enthusiast, Ford owns several up being put into production, of course, is minutes. Three and a half stars out of four. aircraft and claims more than 5,200 hours in his log book. He worlds away from reality, but there's a lovely MPAA Definition of R: Restricted. Under 17 is certified to fly and land planes, seaplanes and helicopters, This file photo shows filmmaker Roman Polanski during a break in a hearing con- discovery of the truth at the heart of the sis- requires accompanying parent or adult according to the National Transportation Safety Board. — AFP cerning a US request for his extradition over 1977 charges of sex with a minor, in ters' heroics that eventually makes it onto the guardian. — AP Krakow, Poland. — AP screen. Caiappe and Scherfig pack the film with fun side characters and pseudo showbiz

Renowned Indian classical singer Chris Evans talks breakup with Kishori Amonkar dies at 84 'Gifted' co-star Jenny Slate music student of Kishori Amonkar says Kishori Amonkar hris Evans says he's "endlessly grateful" for having the singer renowned for her innovative met his "Gifted" co-star Jenny Slate, despite their interpretation of classical Indian music A breakup in February. The romance between the has died. Gandhar Bedekar says the 84-year-old C comedic actress and "Captain America" star lasted nine Amonkar died late Monday at her home in cen- months. Evans tells USA Today that Slate is "an incredi- tral Mumbai after a brief illness. One of the lead- ble human being" and "a very, very special person." ing lights of the Jaipur "gharana" or community Slate also had some kind words for in an interview of musicians, Amonkar was trained by her with Vulture last month, calling him "truly one of the mother who was also a well-known singer. kindest people" she's ever met. But she added that the Amonkar developed her own distinctive breakup was probably for his best. She says she hasn't style, drawing on influences from other schools spoken with Evans much lately, but would "love to be of Indian classical music. Music students in India his friend one day." Moviegoers can catch a glimpse of often live with their mentors, and Bedekar's the former couple's chemistry when "Gifted" opens mother was one of Amonkar's oldest disciples. Friday. — AP In this file photo, actor Chris Evans poses for photogra- For her contribution to the popularization and phers upon arrival at the premiere of the film ‘Captain development of classical Indian music, the gov- America Civil War’ in London. — AP ernment honored her with two of the country's top civilian honors. — AP