| Take a Giant Step | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | Philip Leacock |
| Screenplay by | Louis S. Peterson Julius J. Epstein |
| Based on | Take a Giant Step 1953 play by Louis S. Peterson |
| Produced by | Julius J. Epstein |
| Starring | Johnny Nash Estelle Hemsley Ruby Dee Frederick O'Neal Beah Richards Ellen Holly |
| Cinematography | Arthur E. Arling |
| Edited by | Frank Gross |
| Music by | Jack Marshall |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | United Artists |
Release date |
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Running time | 100 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $300,000[1] |
Take a Giant Step is a 1959 American coming-of-age drama film directed by Philip Leacock.
The plot concerns a black teenager living in a predominantly white environment and having trouble coping as he reaches an age at which the realities of racism are beginning to affect his life more directly and pointedly than they had in his childhood. Adapted from the Broadway play by Louis S. Peterson, the film stars Johnny Nash — who would ultimately become more well known for his singing career, including the hit song "I Can See Clearly Now" — as the lead character, Spencer "Spence" Scott. Co-stars included Ruby Dee as the Scott family's housekeeper, Estelle Hemsley as Grandma Martin (Hemsley was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for best supporting actress), and Beah Richards as Spence's mother. The movie's executive producer was Burt Lancaster through his Hecht-Hill-Lancaster production company.[2]
- ^ "True to life cussing may deny seal for 'Giant Step'". Variety. 18 March 1959. p. 3.
- ^ Reid, Mark A. “Take a Giant Step. A Raisin in the Sun; The U.S. Black Family Film". Jump Cut; A Review of Contemporary Media. No. 36. May 1991. Pages 81-88. [1]