movie poster

The Sky Is Gray

1980

46 minutes

DramaTV Movie

Overview

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.

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Top Cast

Olivia Cole headshot

Olivia Cole

Octavia

James Bond III headshot

James Bond III

James

Margaret Avery headshot

Margaret Avery

Rosemary

Cleavon Little headshot

Cleavon Little

Monsieur Bayonne

Chez Lister headshot

Chez Lister

Ty

Susan French headshot

Susan French

Helena

Clinton Derricks-Carroll headshot

Clinton Derricks-Carroll

Student

Hal Williams headshot

Hal Williams

Preacher

Roberta Jean Williams headshot

Roberta Jean Williams

Young Lady

Hilda Haynes headshot

Hilda Haynes

Woman

Lynn Arden headshot

Lynn Arden

Nurse

Reuben Collins headshot

Reuben Collins

Pimp

Beverly Johnson headshot

Beverly Johnson

John Lee's Mother

Kenneth Johnson headshot

Kenneth Johnson

John Lee Williams

Macon McCalman headshot

Macon McCalman

Ernest

Melvina Smedley headshot

Melvina Smedley

Waitress

Julie Vails headshot

Julie Vails

Girl on Bus

Les Williams headshot

Les Williams

Man in Dentist Office

Henry Fonda headshot

Henry Fonda

Self - Series Host (uncredited)