Bright Road

I really enjoyed seeing this "Gem" of a movie the characters were okay but Dandridge was out of sight as a prim and proper teacher. as a former educator, I loved to see her concern for young C.T. and her going beyond the call of duty for poor Tanya. It was a tear-jerker and an inspirational film. Being a minister, I also liked the Sunday School scene and the quips by the P.K.(preacher's Kid)...Lil' Miss Know it all!! I have one just like that Ha Ha Ha!!!Middle kid. Boyd and Lloyd were a scream!!! Belafonte wasn't realistic. But I will give him props this being His debut film. I felt that I wanted to see a sequel what ever happened to C.T. and his eight brothers and sisters? Did he ever get over Tanya? this film was good for its time. Check this one out.

Dorothy Dandridge as a young teacher, Miss Richards, on her first year of teaching and the relationship she has with a student named C.T. C.T. is from a large, poor family, he's slightly troubled, won't study, arrives late his first day, and just doesn't care about school - yet he is kind, bright, and always seems to have a smile. Now in the fourth grade, he has spent most of his school years flunking and spending two years in each grade. Miss Richards tries to help him and meantime has a small flirtation (yeah, really quite small) with the hunky, guitar-playing, school principal (Harry Belafonte). C.T. has a soft spot in his own heart for his pretty little schoolmate, Tanya, and the two have a sweet little romance with walks home from school hand in hand.

Well, this film is really a sort of hidden little jewel - how'd I manage to miss it all these years?! They also manage to fit in a few singing spots for Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge, who gives a very sensitive portrayal of the new teacher (with interesting voice-overs of her inner voice speaking to herself). She also looks quite lovely in plain make-up and clothing. A special and different film.

I just seen this movie and although this can not compare to the dynamic duo performance of Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte performance in Carmen Jones, this was indeed a great family film with a powerful message. What is most important is that this movie showcases black actor and actress that are educated and didn't talk with nonsense like actors Stephen Fitchit and the ignorant Amos and Andy and Beulah Show. Dorothy and Harry really stood out in this movie, but we all know what she is remembered for.This movie dealt with real situations, even though it seems a little watered down at times , this movie is truly special and should receive a lot more recognition.This movie should be on everyone's to watch list.

It is no coincidence this movie was written by a seasoned School Teacher. What this award-winning story essentially does - in the unusual context of a Hollywood movie - is to present an "outside-the-box" approach to dealing with the disciplinary and behavioral problems of a young male school student. By tapping into and encouraging the talents and interests of young rambunctious C.T., school teacher Ms. Richards (played by Dorothy Dandridge), is able to show how superficial negative classroom behavior can be evaluated and properly re-channeled to achieve positive results. Where the typical reaction to the student in our school system today by teachers and school administrators is to issue non-rehabilitating disciplinary action or suspension, the constructive approach demonstrated in this movie results in a "win-win" solution for all involved. Not a bad lesson for both our overcrowded and dysfunctional school and judicial systems to learn some 50 years later as they both still routinely devour the C.T.'s of the world without a care to the horrendous social cost-benefits resulting from excessive or unnecessary punitive action.

Harry Belafonte (in his first film role) also stars as the supportive school Principal. In a poignant scene beautifully worked into the story, he premieres one of his original compositions, "Suzanne."

This is the most beautiful story I've ever seen about a young Black boy in America. I could definitely relate to C.T. Young, who is played by Philip Hepburn. Hepburn really captivates me to no end. I would love very much to have this movie in my collection of favorites. It's Number One. What I especially enjoy about this movie is that it takes place in a schoolhouse setting. Dorothy Dandrige plays the teacher, and she's fabulous. She is a new teacher in the district, and the attention that she gives to pupil C.T. Young is an excellent example of what a teacher should be, which is one who encourages a student, and not discourage a student. She takes her time with C.T. Young and it pays off, because Young is such a beautiful and intelligent young man. Dandride plays a teacher who gives a lot of positive reinforcement to her students. I really really really love this movie. It's a very positive movie, which is quite refreshing.