Lorraine Hansberry’s immortal A Raisin in the Sun was the first play by a black woman to be performed on Broadway. Two years later, the production came to the screen, directed by Daniel Petrie. The original stars—i
ncluding Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee—reprise their roles as members of an African American family living in a cramped Chicago apartment, in this deeply resonant tale of dreams deferred. The Youngers await a life-insurance check they hope will change their circumstances, but tensions arise over how to use the money. Vividly rendering Hansberry’s sharp observations on generational conflict and housing discrimination, Petrie’s film captures the high stakes, shifting currents, and varieties of experience within black life in midcentury America.
USA | 1961 | 2h 8m
Directed by Daniel Petrie
Starring Sydney Poitier, Ruby Dee, Claudia McNeil
Beer and wine available at our concessions
About 100 YEARS OF MOVIES
This series presents films from every decade the Strand has been in operation, chosen for how they represented the filmmaking style and perspectives of their time. In addition to well-known films, the titles will include lesser-known, high quality releases that have been overlooked, as well as underrepresented movies and directors. The films were curated by Alicia Malone, a host on Turner Classic Movies (TCM); and Strand House Manager Liz McLeod, also a film historian. Each film will be introduced by Malone or McLeod, or a special guest presenter.
