This week’s mystery movie was the 1953 MGM film Bright Road, with Dorothy Dandridge, Henry Belafonte and Philip Hepburn.
Screenplay by Emmet Lavery.
From the Christopher Award story See How They Run, by Mary Elizabeth Vroman.
Photographed by Alfred Gilks.
Art direction by Cedric Gibbons and Eddie Imazu.
Edited by Joseph Dervin.
Assistant director George Rhein.
Recording supervisor Douglas Shearer.
Music by David Rose.
Set decorations by Edwin B. Willis and Jacques Mapes.
Special effects by A. Arnold Gillespie.
Hairstyles by Sydney Guilaroff.
Makeup by William Tuttle.
Produced by Sol Baer Fielding.
Further information on Bright Road is available from the AFI Catalog.
Bright Road is available on DVD from Critics’ Choice Video.
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I picked Bright Road by going through the trades, although I was pleased to see that Sylvia mentioned it last week in her comments. It’s a modest story with a lot of charm.
Having peeked at the AFI Catalog entry, I know that The New York Times had (of course) quibbles with the film. Let’s see just how much Bosley quibbled – though I’m sure it will be less than last week.
(The New York Times, April 29, 1953):
On the basis of good intentions, MGM’s Bright Road, which arrived yesterday at the Fifty-Fifth Street Playhouse, merits respectful applause. And for the few candid insights it catches into the heart of a troubled Negro boy and his school life, as brought to flower by a thoughtful teacher, it merits our commendation too.
For this is an honorable endeavor to say something fair and meaningful about the emotional maladjustment of children who sense the sting of hardship and bigotry. And at several crucial points, it does cut close to the human drama it suggests.
For Monday, we have a mysterious fellow.
Update: This is Robert Horton.
For Tuesday, we have a mysterious girl.
Update: This is Barbara Ann Sanders.
Brain Trust roll call: Stacia (mystery movie and Monday’s mystery guest), Lorenzo (mystery movie and Monday’s mystery guest), Howard Mandelbaum (mystery movie and Monday’s mystery guests), Suznchaz (Monday’s mystery guest), Greg (mystery movie and Monday’s mystery guest), B.J. Merholz (mystery movie and Monday’s mystery guest), Mike Hawks (mystery movie and Monday’s mystery guest), Sylvia (mystery movie and Monday’s mystery guest), L.C. (Monday’s mystery guest), and Jenny M. (mystery movie and Monday’s mystery guest).
For “Hm Wednesday,” we have a mysterious couple.
Update: This is Willa Pearl Curtis and Bill Walker.
Brain Trust roll call: Howard Mandelbaum (Tuesday’s mysterious girl), Sylvia (Tuesday’s mystery girl), Mike Hawks (Tuesday’s mysterious girl) and Sarah (mystery movie and both mystery guests).
For “Aha Thursday,” we have a mysterious lad.
Update: This is Philip Hepburn.
Brain Trust roll call: Mike Hawks (Wednesday’s mystery guests), Sylvia E. (Wednesday’s mystery guests), Megan and Thom (mystery movie, Monday’s and Tuesday’s mystery guests) and Howard Mandelbaum (Wednesday’s mystery guests).
For Friday, we have two mysterious guests.
Update: This is Harry Belafonte in his film debut and Dorothy Dandridge.
Brain Trust roll call: Howard Mandelbaum (Thursday’s mysterious lad), Mary Mallory (mystery movie and all mystery guests), Mike Hawks (Thursday’s mystery lad) and Sylvia (Thursday’s mystery lad).
ladailymirror.com 
Hey, that’s Robert Horton in BRIGHT ROAD (1953)!
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looks like Robert Horton in Bright Road.
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Robert Horton in BRIGHT ROAD (1953).
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Robert Horton, not dressed for a Western….
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Robert Horton in Bright Road, 1953.
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Robert Horton. And even though it is without Rex Ingram I will go down the bright road with your feature of the month.
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Robert Horton in THE BRIGHT ROAD.
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Bright Road 1953
Mon – Robert Horton. OS are Dorothy Dandridge and Barbara Sanders (Rudolph)
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This Man Is Armed (1956) w/Robert Horton, Dane Clark, William Talman, May Wynn, Barton MacLane, Bobby Jordan, Fredd Wayne, Richard Benedict…
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Barbara Randolph.
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Tue – Barbara Sanders (though she later opted to go with Randolph, her mother Lillian Randolph’s maiden name).
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Barbara Randolph a.k.a. Barbara Ann Sanders.
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It’s Robert Horton (way too easy for a Monday Mystery Photo) and Barbara Randolph in “Bright Road.”
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Willa Pearl Curtis and Bill Walker.
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Wed – Willa Pearl Curtis and Bill Walker
In exploring Ms Curtis’ other work, found that she was in one of your mystery movie from the past, Native Son. Also found Mary’s great Hollywood Heights article about that film. She mentions Ms Curtis’ appearance in it.
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Our movie is Bright Road, with Robert Horton and Barbara Randolph.
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Willa Pearl Curtis; Bill Walker.
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Philip Hepburn.
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BRIGHT ROAD. Robert Horton Monday, Barbara Randolph Tuesday, Willa Pearl curtis and Bill Walker Wednesday, and Philip Hepburn today.
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Philip Hepburn.
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Thur – Philip Hepburn
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Harry belafonte and Dorothy dandridge.
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Fri – Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge
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Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge.
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