The Sky Is Gray

Story

Synopsis

From Ernest J. Gaines, author of "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman," comes a deceptively simple, yet emotionally complex tale of a young boy's discovery of what it's like to be black in Louisiana during the 1940's. James, the boy in question, has a raging toothache that necessitates a trip to the dentist. His mother (played by Emmy-winner Olivia Cole), accompanies James to town on an eye-opening odyssey where the boy gains valuable insights into poverty, racism - and his own sense of pride. With an exciting musical score by Webster Lewis, this multi-award winning film explores a child's discovery that the world is a complicated place... where things are never truly black or white... only shades of gray.

Director

Stan Lathan

Writers

Charles Fuller, Ernest J. Gaines

Language

English

Country

United States of America

Release date

1 January 1980

Ensemble

Cast

• 

  Olivia Cole

  Octavia

• 

  James Bond III

  James

• 

  Margaret Avery

  Rosemary

• 

  Cleavon Little

  Monsieur Bayonne

• Chez Lister

  Ty

• Susan French

  Helena

• 

  Clinton Derricks-Carroll

  Student

• 

  Hal Williams

  Preacher

• Roberta Jean Williams

  Young Lady

• Hilda Haynes

  Woman

• Lynn Arden

  Nurse

• Reuben Collins

  Pimp