Film Forum

U.S., 1949
Directed by Alfred Werker
Starring Beatrice Pearson, Mel Ferrer, William Greaves, Canada Lee, Leigh Whipper
Screenplay by Eugene Ling
35mm print courtesy UCLA Film and Television Archive. Approx. 99 min.

“Louis de Rochemont’s independent production Lost Boundaries, based on a true story, recounted the experiences of a light-skinned Negro doctor and his light-skinned Black wife (played, respectively, by white performers Mel Ferrer and Beatrice Pearson), who move to a small white community in New England. There, in search of opportunities, he sets up a successful medical practice as the two pass for white, and even raise their two children as such. When their deep, dark secret is revealed, their otherwise placid community is thrown into turmoil and must examine itself. Though most of the cast in this Picture Problem was white, a standout was the refreshing young African American actor William Greaves in a supporting role.” — Donald Bogle, Hollywood Black