MovieChat Forums > Pinky Discussion > attitudes

attitudes

posted 14 years ago by Chops-4
1 reply | jump to latest

Up through World War II and into the '50s such attitudes as shown here prevailed. It's probably hard for many younger persons to believe that these portrayals were true to life.
As for casting: there's no way that Jean Crain could possibly be such a "pass for white" negro especially considering how her near relatives look. For her to pass for white her mother would've had to have been an octaroon at the most and her father 100% white. However, back then when this film was made, had they cast anyone who might pass for white, but who wasn't, there would've been an uproar about it. Attitudes were very constrained about these subjects.

[–] sundance7490 14 years ago

See, I would think the exact same way you do about Jeanne Crain not being able to play the part at all if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes (in a different way that is). It's a little ridiculous how heritage can work sometimes. What you're explaining is how I see it, though. Pinky's grandmother is full black while her mother is half white/half black and her father was full white and this is where Pinky comes from. It's very possible.

The only reason I say so is because here in New Mexico we have a lot of interacial couples along the lines of White and Spanish heritage. One woman I know looks completely white. She's got red hair and blue eyes and the palest skin ever. Then when I met her parents, I found out her mother is a light complected but very ethnic looking Spanish woman while my friend looks almost EXACTLY like her father, same eyes and hair and all. It was kind of creepy but really neat at the same time and that's only one generation, unlike Pinky. It automatically made me think of this film and it took me all my energy not to want to mention it.

I don't speak whatever.