Belafonte's film masterpiece 'Odds Against Tomorrow' shows at Library

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Harry Belafonte's film noir classic 'Odds Against Tomorrow' was edgy in 1959 and still today casts a bright light on racial discord.

All the more reason to take advantage of the opportunity of this free screening of this black-and-white gem in the state-of-the-art Anne Louise Davis Community Room at the Plainfield Public Library, Thursday, February 16th at 7:00 p.m.

"Slater (Robert Ryan) is a hard-bitten, racist ex-con given to impulsive acts of violence and fits of depression and self-doubt. Less criminal than the rest of his gang, Ingram (Harry Belafonte) still exudes moral ambiguity. The organizer of the robbery, Burke (Ed Begley) is an ex-cop, ruined when he refused to cooperate with State Crime Investigators (a pointed reference to the Blacklist). Broke, bitter and disaffected, the trio band together for the purpose of pulling off a bank heist, but their resolve is threatened by uncontrollable racial tension."
Plot summary from a Human Rights Watch film festival.

"There are so many interesting components to this film, on-screen and off," says Rebecca Williams, who is curating this showing. "It appeared toward the end of the so-called 'golden age' of film noir, and is one of the few in the genre with an African-American in a leading role."

Produced by Belafonte's production company and shot in gritty locations, including New York City and several upstate down-on-their-luck towns, the film was directed by Robert Wise from a screenplay by blacklisted writer Abe Polonsky. African-American novelist John Oliver Killens, a friend of Belafonte's, received the onscreen credit.

"Harry Belafonte's social consciousness is quite evident in the movie, whose underlying theme of racial discord coincided with the rise of the civil rights movement in the 1950s," Williams notes. "The film directly confronts the racial tension that exists among the three main characters, all of whom are forced to find ways to overcome their prejudices and work together to achieve their mutual goal."

The screening will be followed by a short question- and-answer period, if time permits.

'Odds Against Tomorrow' is a Black History Month presentation of the Plainfield Public Library, and is sponsored by the Plainfield Cultural and Heritage Commission.

The Plainfield Public Library is located at Park Avenue and Eighth Street. There is onsite parking, and the building is barrier-free. For Directions, call the Library at (908) 757-1111.

-- Dan Damon

Keywords: Film, Black History month
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