Get ready for today’s…Blast from the Past!
From Oscar nominee Norman Jewison, the director of “Send Me No Flowers” (1964), “Fiddler on the Roof” (1971), “Moonstruck” (1987), “Only You” (1994), “Bogus” (1996), and many others, comes this crime mystery drama…
Virgil Tibbs: “They call me Mister Tibbs!”
“In the Heat of the Night” was released on this day August 2nd 1967, making the film 50 years old as of today.
Based on John Ball’s 1965 novel of the same name, the film follows an African American police detective (played by Oscar winner Sidney Poitier), who investigates a murder case in a southern town that is racially hostile.
First fun fact; the film won 5 Oscars, for Best Picture, Best Actor – Rod Steiger, Best Film Editing, Best Sound and Best Adapted Screenplay. It also received 2 Academy Award nominations for Best Director and Best Sound Editing.
Second, the film has cemented its way into AFI (American Film Institute) recognition, being #75 in the 100 Years… 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) list, the character Virgil Tibbs being #19 from the Hero section in the 100 Years…100 Heroes and Villains list, 21 in the 100 Years…100 Cheers list, as well as the mentioned quote above being #16 in the 100 Years…100 Movie Quotes list.
Third, the film was released during the time of the Civil Rights movement, so readers who either were born or lived through the 60s, know how this was a historical event in the USA, not to mention the whole world also coming to know it at the same time. Even if you were not born in that decade, you can imagine what trials and tribulations the African-Americans went through during the 1960s.
If you like the lead actor and feel like a break from feel-good or silly films, no matter the genre or quality, and are looking for intriguing social commentary, in the form of a crime mystery flick, then this is for you, or for anyone you know, who likes the aforementioned aspects.
Poster artwork by Paul Crifo.