Retrospective: Claudine (1974)

"Claudine" is directed by John Berry, and written by Lester Pine and
Tina Pine. This movie was released in 1974 its running time is 94
minutes. Its rating is PG.

I saw this movie "Claudine" back in the 70's when the market for
African American movies was hot. This movie is different from many
African American movies that were released at that time because it
didn't have an emphasis on pimps, violence, and prostitution. It
projects a positive heart-touching image for an African American
family.

"Claudine" is a genuine heart-moving movie about a poor African
American single mother of six that's faced with the social ills of a
falling welfare system, working a part time job as a house keeper ,and
a romantic affair that's faced with problems. Diane Carol and James
Earl Jones provide excellent performances.

The soundtrack to this movie is provided by Gladys Knight and the
Pips, each track is excellent and coincedes with the movie quite well.
I enjoyed this movie because of its genuine focus on an African
American single mother with little means to beat the odds against her,
but she and her children ultimately triumph, over coming every
obstacle, and sterotype.


Claudine (Dianne Carol, Julia) is a single mother with six children,
she lives in Harlem, struggles with raising her children and depends
on a falling welfare system. Her part time job as a house keeper would
only serve as a small supplemental income. Claudine manages to defeat
the social ills of single parent hood, tackling a defiant eldest son,
dealing with a pregnant daughter, another son who plays hookie from
school ,and a youngest son who's so unhappy that he wants to be
invisible.


However, through all of this turmoil she meets the man of her dreams
but even this has its many challenges. Claudine's lover is Rubin,
(James Earl Jones, The Great White Hope) he is a Sanitation worker for
the city of New York who is also bound with the financial
responsibilities of child support from a previous marriage. He
struggles with the idea of getting involved with a woman with has six
children, and on welfare. He battles with his fears of his affilation
and woes of the welfare system.


When he decides he can't handle a romantic relationship with this
single mother and her six children he abandons the relationship and
later face a vindictive Claudine's eldest son (Lawrence Hilton Jacobs,
Cooley High). Rubin's encounter with Claudine's eldest son becomes
heart breaking when he, and this young man fight at a bar. Rubin than
realizes that a relationship with Claudine and her children can work.
As this story goes on Claudine's son is arrested as a result of his
involvement with rioting hence Claudine's, and Rubin's result takes
another turn.


Final Thoughts on "Claudine"

Claudine is a very good movie that you'll enjoy, it will touch your
heart. I especially enjoyed performances by Lawrence Hilton Jacobs in
his role as Charles, Claudine's eldest son. Performances by James Earl
Jones, and Diane Carol are excellent in their lead roles as a struggle
couple that finally meet a wonderful fate. This story is written with
lots of warmth, and humor. I was deeply touched at the movie's focus
on at the endurance Claudine, a poor struggling single mother projects
providing for her family, and ultimately finding the love of her life.
This movie's plot is excellent along with its direction. Overall
"Claudine" is a fantastic urban movie with wonderful performances and
a good reflection on urban life.

Reviewed by Lisa Smith
(c)2007