The Defiant Ones

The Defiant Ones is a 1958 film which tells about two escaped prisoners, one white and one black, who must co-operate in order to survive. It stars Tony Curtis, Sidney Poitier, Theodore Bikel[?], Cara Williams[?], Charles McGraw[?] and Lon Chaney Jr..

The movie was adapted by Harold Jacob Smith[?] from the story by Nedrick Young[?] (originally as Nathan E. Douglas). It was directed by Stanley Kramer[?].

It won Academy Awards for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White and Best Writing, Story and Screenplay - Written Directly for the Screen, and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Tony Curtis), Best Actor in a Leading Role (Sidney Poitier), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Theodore Bikel), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Cara Williams), Best Director, Best Film Editing and Best Picture.

Carl Alfalfa Switzer[?], of the "Our Gang" comedies, has a small role. It was his last before his death.

The Defiant Ones was remade several times:

• In 1972, with gender reversal, as Black Mama, White Mama, starring Pam Grier[?] and Margaret Markov[?].
• For television in 1986, as The Defiant Ones, starring Robert Urich and Carl Weathers[?].
• In 1996, as Fled, starring Laurence Fishburne and Stephen Baldwin.