Lost Boundaries

Released Jul 2, 1949

1h 39m

Drama

List

60%

Tomatometer

5 Reviews

36%

Audience Score

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Scott Carter (Mel Ferrer) is an African-American doctor who is eager to serve his community by working at a black hospital. However, he encounters unexpected opposition when his light skin color results in him being mistaken for a white man. At the urging of his in-laws, Carter and his similarly pale wife, Marcia (Beatrice Pearson), begin to masquerade as white to more easily find their place in a fiercely segregated society. This shocking story is based on real events.

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Bosley Crowther

New York Times

Viewed as emotional entertainment, as social enlightenment or both, it is one of the most effective pictures that we are likely to have this year.

Mar 25, 2006

Full Review

Mike Waldman

Pittsburgh Courier

[The film] is truly one of humane ideals and skillful workmanship.

Dec 9, 2020

Full Review

Al Andersen

Baltimore Afro-American

A generally inadequate treatment of the subject. A pity, in view of the magnificent job it might have done.

Jul 28, 2020

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Robert Ellis

California Eagle

At least it steps up to that plate and swings and takes a healthy sock. And the movement, the determination will make people think.

Oct 30, 2019

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Daring for its time, when viewed today it seems tame.

Rated: B

May 19, 2006

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Ken R

For a film in 1949 to take on this theme, and do it so reasonably well is admirable indeed. Many today don't realise just how ugly racism was during this era and how difficult it was, not only to produce a movie such as this, but also how near impossible it was to get them distributed. Many theatres, shamefully, would simply not run them. While the first few minutes have a dated feel to the production style, it picks up surprisingly well as it moves into its challenging (and factual) black-passing-for-white story. Some reviewers, perhaps understandably, still get upset because producers were casting white actors to play blacks (or ethnics) in these early racially-themed films but, they fail to understand that there were not enough well known ethnic performers available. The moviemakers then had the added difficulty of selling the final product – this was never an easy task, with movies being expensive to make, and many cinemas refusing to book them. Things may be different now, but back then, these films simply would not have been made if following ‘idealist' notions. Mell Ferrer is good in his role, playing real-life Dr Scott Mason Carter (name change) with a marvellous performance from Richard Hyland as his son (Hyland is sadly little known as he took his own life at age 41) Producer Louis De Rochemont, whose background was in producing news programs – infuses his movie with a ‘semi-documentary' approach giving it a more realistic feel. All performances are top flight and the use of every-day looking (un-glamorised) associate cast members helps. Stage actress, Beatrice Pearson is good as the Dr's Wife in her second, of only two movie appearances. Writer, William White's sociological commentary has been thoughtfully adapted for the screen and treats its daring subject with sensitivity and respect – without over-dramatising or sensationalising its controversial subject. William J.Miller's strong B/W cinematography (Teresa'51) has a noir look and feel, adding stark moodiness to the more dramatic situations. Cannes film festival nominee William L. Werker (‘He Walked By Night' also ‘49) earnestly directs. The image and sound quality of the Warner Archive DVD are thankfully better than some other M.O.D. transfers around and worth buying.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/09/19

Full Review

Frances H

Although impressive as a plea for racial tolerance, this film is silted and unnatural. Picking blond haired, blue eyed Mel Ferrer as the star was a mistake. Lost Boundaries fades next to the race relations movies that came later. Even Imitation of Life has better acting. But it does tackle the segregation that occurred in every phase of society, openly in the south and in the armed forces, and not so openy in the north. Although complete racial equality is still something for which we need to aim , at least perhaps the urge to "pass" is not so great.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/26/16

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Audience Member

Wonderful hidden gem of a film that explores race relations before the civil rights movement. Based on a true story.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Alfred L. Werker

Director

Beatrice Pearson

Marcia Carter

Mel Ferrer

Scott Mason Carter

Richard Hylton

Howard "Howie" Carter

Susan Rubes

Shelly Carter

Robert A. Dunn

Rev. John Taylor

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Synopsis

Scott Carter (Mel Ferrer) is an African-American doctor who is eager to serve his community by working at a black hospital. However, he encounters unexpected opposition when his light skin color results in him being mistaken for a white man. At the urging of his in-laws, Carter and his similarly pale wife, Marcia (Beatrice Pearson), begin to masquerade as white to more easily find their place in a fiercely segregated society. This shocking story is based on real events.

Director: Alfred L. Werker
Screenwriter: Eugene Ling, Virginia Shaler
Distributor: Film Classics Inc.
Production Co: Louis De Rochemont Associates
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 2, 1949, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 22, 2009
Runtime: 1h 39m

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