Nothing But a Man

Nothing But a Man is a film made in 1964 and directed by Michael Roemer. The story is about a black railroad worker, who falls in love with a black school teacher, who is the town’s preacher’s daughter. The story depicts the struggle of their strife for “a meaningful place” in their society. It stars Ivan Dixon as Duff Anderson and Abbey Lincoln as Josie Dawson. It was originally a 1933 play, but was not made into a movie until 1964. According to The Washington Post, "Nothing But a Man is one of the most sensitive films about black life ever made in this... country”. The story introduces Duff Anderson on the railroad, playing checkers with his rail worker friends, at a pool hall, and on the street at night. At church, Duff meets Josie Dawson, a very grounded woman. They begin to date, against the will of Preacher Dawson . Duff then realizes that he prefers the stability and love of a wife as opposed to brute freedom. The two marry and begin to face a series of challenges as a married couple. Duff's past is constantly lingering and creates difficulty in their lives. Duff has a son who is nearly four who stays with a nanny; he also has an unfamiliar drunkard of a father.
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