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Take a Giant Step

Play trailer Poster for Take a Giant Step 1959 1h 40m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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After African-American teenager Spence Scott (Johnny Nash) gets expelled from his private school for arguing with a teacher, he turns to his grandmother (Estelle Hemsley) for advice. Spence, who lives in a genteel white area and has mostly white friends, feels like an outsider. He visits a bar in a black neighborhood, where he meets a few prostitutes, which doesn't help. Eventually, Spence starts a friendship with the housekeeper, Christine (Ruby Dee), who tells him her own difficult story.

Critics Reviews

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Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com A sensitive, well-acted coming-of-age melodrama about a black teenager living in a white neighborhood, played by Johnny nash (later a famous singer). Rated: B- Apr 2, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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PJ M I really loved this movie the performances were strong & very realistic. Estelle Hensley as Gram blew me away. I have watched it several times. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/08/23 Full Review steve d Well done and important for its time. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member I really liked this movie. I really liked Johnny Nash. More people should see this movie, because it's a good one. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member Interesting civil-rights piece follows svelte young Spencer and his frustrations about being black. From his uppity grandmother, his spineless parents, and his fair-weather white friends, this film is interesting if not a little strange. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Take a Giant Step

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Cast & Crew

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Philip Leacock

Director

Johnny Nash

Spencer "Spence" Scott

Estelle Hemsley

Grandma "Gram" Martin

Ruby Dee

Christine

Frederick O'Neal

Lem "Daddy" Scott

Ellen Holly

Carol
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Take a Giant Step

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Movie Info

Synopsis After African-American teenager Spence Scott (Johnny Nash) gets expelled from his private school for arguing with a teacher, he turns to his grandmother (Estelle Hemsley) for advice. Spence, who lives in a genteel white area and has mostly white friends, feels like an outsider. He visits a bar in a black neighborhood, where he meets a few prostitutes, which doesn't help. Eventually, Spence starts a friendship with the housekeeper, Christine (Ruby Dee), who tells him her own difficult story.
Director
Philip Leacock
Producer
Julius J. Epstein
Production Co
Hill-Hecht-Lancaster Productions
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 2, 2020
Runtime
1h 40m