New Brighton was at the heart of the ’76 student uprising for equal education in then-Port Elizabeth but, ironically, or perhaps unsurprisingly, it was home to a Calvinist community that took pride in what they had.
however, it was his portrayal of a former gi in the 1963 movie lilies of the field that broke hollywood s color barrier, earning him the coveted asoscar for best actor. poitier never overcame his tone deafness. lip-syncing the song amen in the famous lily scene. the songwriter actually did the singing. poitier was considered a bankable star in 1967, starring in the landmark film to sir with love. those kids are devils incarnate. i tried everything. reporter: playing characters that would force audiences to confront racial prejudices. they call me mr. tibbs. reporter: but he would also challenge the hollywood establishment. forcing a change in his iconic role as detective virgil tibbs in the academy award winning in the heat of a night because of a scene that would require him to
the famous lilies scene, the songwriter actually did the singing. poitier was considered a bankable star in 1967, starring in a landmark film to sir with love . those kids are devils incarnate. i tried everything. reporter: playing characters that would force audiences to confront racial prejudices. they call me mr. tibs. reporter: he would also challenge the hollywood establishment, forcing a change in his iconic role as detective virgil tibs in the 1967 academy award winning in the heat of the night because of a scene that would require him to acquiesce to a racist character. i m going to take you over to brownsville and put you on the bus myself. you aren t taking me anywhere, you dig? you re holding the wrong man! reporter: that same year he would star in the water shed film guess who s coming to dinner, alongside spencer tracy and katharine hepburn. mom, this is john.