A Raisin in the Sun
(1961)

Director: Daniel Petrie

Key Cast: Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeill, Ruby Dee, Diana Sands, Louis Gossett Jr., Ivan Dixon

Rating: Unrated

Genre(s): Drama

"A Raisin in the Sun"
Movie Trailer

"A Raisin in the Sun" is one of the most famous Black Classic Movies ever made!

Sidney Poitier and Claudia McNeil give riveting performances in "A Raisin in the Sun." The all-star cast includes
other African-American legendary actors like Ruby Dee, Louis Gossett Jr., Diana Sands and Ivan Dixon.

Based on a stage play written by African-American playwright Lorraine Hansberry, "A Raisin in the Sun" explores
the turmoil that erupts in a family when the mother gets a $10,000 insurance check for the death of her husband.

The family conflict is primarily between the mother, Lena Younger (Claudia McNeil) and her son, Walter Lee
Younger (Sidney Poitier). Lena Younger wants to use the money as a down payment on a new home and
to help fund the education for her daughter Beneatha Younger (Diana Sands). Walter, though, wants to use
the money to start a business.

In addition to the family tension, racial prejudice comes in through the "neighborhood association" that doesn't
want the Younger family to move into their neighborhood.

A emotionally dramatic movie, "A Raisin in the Sun" is a thought-provoking film that everyone should see.

***For additional details about this movie, click here to read the our Movie Feature article about A Raisin in the Sun.***

•  "A Raisin in the Sun" was based on the Lorraine Hansberry play with the same name. “A Raisin in the Sun” was the first successful play on Broadway to be written by a black female playwright. Sidney Poitier and Claudia McNeil were
nominated for Tony Awards for their outstanding performances in the Broadway production.

• Most of the movie cast for "A Raisin in the Sun" also appeared in the Broadway production of the movie as well.
This includes Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil, Ruby Dee, Diana Sands and Ivan Dixon.

•  Louis Gossett Jr. made his film debut in "A Raisin in the Sun."

• "A Raisin in the Sun" has been made twice into newer movie versions since this original 1961 movie.
The second "A Raisin in the Sun" movie was a 1989 made-for-television version starring Danny Glover and
Esther Rolle. The third "A Raisin in the Sun" movie was made in 2008 and starred Sean P. Diddy Combs
and Phylicia Rashad. Purchase information for these movies are below:
1989 Version of "A Raisin in the Sun" (Click Here)
2008 Version of "A Raisin in the Sun" (Click Here)

• "A Raisin in the Sun" was nominated for two 1962 Golden Globe Awards:  Best Motion Picture Actress – Drama
(Claudia McNeil) and Best Motion Picture Actor – Drama (Sidney Poitier)

• "A Raisin in the Sun" was voted one of the Year’s Ten Best Films by the 1961 New York Times Film Critics.

• In 2005, "A Raisin in the Sun" was selected for the U.S. Library of Congress National Film Registry. This is one
of the few African-American films to be chosen for this special distinction.

"A Raisin in the Sun" Movie DVD

Buy the A Raisin in the Sun Movie DVD

"A Raisin in the Sun" is a famous classic Black movie
starring Sidney Poitier and Claudia McNeil.

A Raisin in the Sun Movie Poster
Buy vintage A Raisin in the Sun movie posters at Moviegoods.com. Moviegoods also has collectible movie posters and movie still photographs for A Raisin in the Sun.

Click the poster image on the left
for purchase details.