[Dr. Sivana]

This has been a problem with the Oscars for a LONG time. For instance, in 1968, "In the Heat of the Night" won largely for being racially correct. It could have been worse. At least it wasn't "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?"

WINNER IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT
Walter Mirisch, Producer

NOMINEES
BONNIE AND CLYDE
Warren Beatty, Producer

DOCTOR DOLITTLE
Arthur P. Jacobs, Producer

THE GRADUATE
Lawrence Turman, Producer

GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER
Stanley Kramer, Producer

[Steely Tom]

Fake virtue crowds out real virtue.

[Rummyfan]

In the Heat of the Night and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner were garbage.

[Leaning Right]

You’re right in that “In the Heat of the Night” had a certain wokeness to it. But it’s still a great movie, mainly because of Rod Steiger‘s award-winning performance as Chief Gillespie. I still re-watch it every so often.

The final scene is most impressive. Gillespie mocks Tibbs most of the time. Then at the end, Gillespie shows Tibbs some respect by taking his suitcase. Nice touch, there.

[drop 50 and fire for effect]

Sorry, the only movie on that list that did not deserve an Oscar was Doctor Dolittle. Each of the other four capture some of the finest performances on film. Steiger, Beatty, Hoffman, Hepburn & Tracy in their final appearance as one of the great screen couples, Dunnaway, and Poitier who gave two of his best performances.

But only one could get the Oscar. Of the four, In the Heat of the Night is my favorite.