For Love of Ivy

Sidney Poitier developed the original story for this fantasy-romance between a black maid working for a neurotic, rich white family out on Long Island and a handsome, confirmed bachelor--a partner in a trucking firm which deals (rather craftily) in illegal gambling on the side. In the most prominent role, Abbey Lincoln (real-life jazz vocalist who resembles a young Dionne Warwick) has a firm jaw and a shyly self-conscious manner, but she grows on you--and in her lighter moments displays a tentative yet winning smile and personality. After a static, stilted beginning, the movie picks up some steam and quickly overcomes its contrived set-up, and Poitier is full of jubilant charisma. Nice end-credits theme song, written by Quincy Jones and performed by Shirley Horn, received an Oscar nomination. Good fun! *** from ****

This is a great film starring Sidney Poiter as Jack Parks, who runs a gambling racket in a large van which is always on the move and he is beloved by all kinds of females who find him very attractive and sexy. It just so happens that a White family has a female Black female servant named Ivy Moore, (Abbey Lincoln) who is very attractive and has been with the family for over nine years of service. Ivey decides she wants to leave their employ and the family becomes very upset and Mr. Frank Austin, (Carroll O'Connor) decides something has to be done to keep Ivy from leaving. The family arranges for Ivy to meet Jack Parks who is a friend of the family and desires to become a match making family to get these two people together in order to keep their family maid still in the family service. There is plenty of comedy and funny situations which makes this a great story created by Sidney Poitier and he gives an outstanding performance along with a great supporting actress, Abbey Lincoln. Enjoy.

America' love affair with Sidney Poitier, which reached its peak in the 60s, resulted in the need for star vehicles for the actor. One such piece was based on a story conceived by Poitier. Called, "For Love of Ivy," it cast the charismatic actor in a role in which he could wear the latest fashions--slickly tailored suits, sweaters, tuxes, and the like. His female costar, Abbey Lincoln likewise dresses in a varied and stylish wardrobe, looking quite pert and attractive.

The two seem to enjoy their little romantic romp in a lightweight domestic comedy, supported by Beau Bridges and Carroll O'Connor. Too bad the script tends to become a bit limp about midpoint, and never quite regains its zip.

The movie plays better in home video format, where one can lounge back and relax in home surroundings, rather than in the more formal setting of the theater. Then the proceedings become a bit sluggish, it helps to be comfortable. Still, it's fun watching these attractive performers engage in their comedic entanglements, in a brightly designed production, and to a Quincy Jones score.

Sidney Poitier's trio of movies in 1967 was going to be a hard act to follow. But he starred in an impressive movie in 1968 (if not a masterpiece). What "For Love of Ivy" lacks in the forcefulness of "In the Heat of the Night", it makes up for in elements of the '60s. Sidney Poitier and Abbey Lincoln make the perfect couple, and the movie's Academy Award-nominated song only adds to the joy. I get the feeling that Lincoln's character's desire to stop being a maid reflected the desire of the era's African-American actresses to get roles that didn't exist only in relation to white people.

Among the other cast members, we have Beau Bridges in an early role, and also Carroll O'Connor in a role mildly reminiscent of a certain bigot railing against anyone different from him.

Anyway, I recommend it.

There are lots of reasons to like For Love of Ivy, so if you haven't seen this '60s classic yet, make it this weekend's matinee. You can see a pre-Archie Bunker performance from Carol O'Connor playing the family's patriarch who throws a touch of racism at their black domestic maid. Upon learning she's going to leave their employ, he shrugs to his wife and doesn't see the problem finding a new maid. The matriarch, Nan Martin, is horrified. She looks at Ivy as a member of the family, and even though Ivy wants to get an education and live in her own place, she doesn't want her to leave. It's very much a statement piece, that the white family can't fathom why their black housekeeper feels unsatisfied.

Abbey Lincoln, who plays Ivy, is just delightful. With a cute, spunky personality and great energy, we easily root for her and hope she finds a happy ending - whatever that means. . . The teenaged children of the family, Beau Bridges and Lauri Peters, come up with a scheme to keep Ivy happy and employed: romance. If she falls in love, she'll be happy and give up her idea of leaving. Beau knows a shady bad boy, Sidney Poitier, and blackmails him into dating Ivy. Which is another great reason to see the film: how often do you see Sidney playing a bad boy?

Beau Bridges was nominated for a Golden Globe for his sweet performance, and if it seems like he's very comfortable in front of the camera, it's because he was practically a veteran in 1968. Going all the way back to The Red Pony, he did movies and television before this big splash - no wonder he had a great screen presence! Abbey Lincoln was also nominated for a Golden Globe, but for Supporting Actress. Can anyone explain that? The movie is, literally, all about her, and she has the largest part of all the female characters. Why wasn't she nominated for Actress instead?