Sweet Love, Bitter
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Herbert Danska
Dick Gregory
Don Murray
Diane Varsi
Robert Hooks
Jeri Archer
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Richie "Eagle" Stokes, a distinguished jazz saxophonist, has become frustrated and embittered by his contact with white society. He attempts to find relief through liquor, drugs, and women, including his white mistress, Candy. One day he meets a down-and-out, white college teacher, David Hillary, who has left his teaching job and torments himself with blame for the death of his wife in an automobile accident. The two men go on a drinking spree that ends when they pass out in an alley. They are brought home by Eagle's devoted friend, Keel Robinson, who offers David a room and a job as a waiter in his all-night coffeehouse. Keel's relationship with his white girl friend, Della, is made difficult by racial barriers. In spite of his mistrust of whites, however, he gradually accepts David; and a warm friendship develops among the three men. At last David finds the strength to return to his teaching job. While walking on campus with the dean one day, David sees a policeman accost Eagle, who, playing a one-night stand nearby, has come to visit him. Angered by Eagle's defiant attitude, the policeman suddenly begins beating him with a club while David stands frozen, unable to speak or move to aid his friend. Some time later, on a trip to the city, David confesses his cowardice to Eagle, who reacts, characteristically, by laughing off the incident and going on a binge. This time he dies from an overdose of heroin. Realizing that they will probably never see each other again, David and Keel say goodby and go their separate ways.
Director
Herbert Danska
Cast
Dick Gregory
Don Murray
Diane Varsi
Robert Hooks
Jeri Archer
Barbara Davis
Bruce Glover
Carla Pinza
Crew
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Filmed in New York City and Philadelphia. Rereleased as It Won't Rub Off, Baby!; also known as Black Love-White Love.
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States Winter January 1, 1967
The Stokes character is loosely based on Charlie "Bird" Parker.
Released in United States Winter January 1, 1967
