Word: ferrer
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...result (at a cost of under $500,000) is not only a first-class social document, but also a profoundly moving film. Dr. Carter (Mel Ferrer) and his wife (Beatrice Pearson) are forced into passing as whites so that he can practice his profession. But he keeps clandestine contact with his Negro colleagues, names his son (Richard Hylton) after a famous Negro doctor. Out of these contacts emerge some fresh insight into Negro viewpoints, and into the intricate network of etiquette and anguish separating those who can "pass" from those who cannot...
Dramatically, the film loses ground by its episodic, rigidly chronological story treatment, but the loss is more than regained in a powerful climax and several excellent performances. As Dr. Carter, Mel Ferrer gives a sensitive interpretation of a decent man caught in an indecent dilemma. Richard Hylton, in his first screen appearance, plays the difficult role of Carter's son with ease and assurance. Outstanding bit-player is the Rev. Robert Dunn, real-life rector of Portsmouth's St. John's Episcopal Church. His screenplay sermon on tolerance is a little masterpiece of low-keyed natural eloquence...
...other roles, Jose Ferrer, as the Dauphin, is rather interesting, and Francis L. Sullivan, as Cauchon, is menacing enough; but since his part in the plot called for him to prolong my stay at the Astor long after my interest had left, I'm not saying anything good about...
...Silver Whistle (by Robert McEnroe; produced by the Theatre Guild) tells how a spacious liar and accomplished charlatan rejuvenates an old folks' home. A 47-year-old hobo, Oliver Erwenter (José Ferrer) poses as a superbly virile codger of 77 and passes out to the men folk a magical aphrodisiac (actually, small bread pellets). He tells lordly yarns of foreign travel and female conquest; makes flamboyant love to a young lady employed at the home; and with a bit of help, swipes the equipment and supplies for a rousing charity bazaar. Though the truth about him gradually leaks...
...fascinating; and the elderly capers, if picturesque at times, at other times turn rancid. Obviously pleased with his own joke, Playwright McEnroe sometimes lets it run on too long, sometimes lets it go too far. What tremendously braces The Silver Whistle's very shaky charm is José Ferrer's very assured performance. A master of florid roles, a born Cyrano de Bergeractor, Ferrer spouts and yarnspins with an air, never trades tinseled make-believe for drab reality...