"Actor: Abbey Lincoln"

• For Love Of Ivy | DVD | (15/09/2008) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  Ivy Moore a black housekeeper in a white household has grown weary of domestic service. She dreams of leaving her sterile lifestyle and Long Island residence for big city living and a series of adventures on the road to self-discovery. Her employers however are loath to lose her. They've even offered Ivy a trip to Africa as an incentive to stay in their employment. But just when it looks like she's about to leave one of her employer's children finds the one person who could make her stay: Jack Parks a handsome eligible bachelor who'd be a perfect match for Ivy.

• For Love Of Ivy | DVD | (08/04/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  A 1950s romantic comedy transported into the end of the swinging 60s, For Love Of Ivy, is an intriguing snapshot of a Hollywood coming to terms with a changing world. Made in 1968, the movie fizzes with the colours of a Day-Glo world and the stark contrast between urban and suburban life at the turn of the decade. The Ivy of the title is a house maid (Abbey Lincoln) who longs to head for those bright lights and give her life more of a purpose, much to the chagrin of the dysfunctional white family that she works for, who set about matchmaking her with suave businessman Jack Parks (Poitier) in an effort to dissuade her. Although initially appearing to play to type, Poitier's character develops both darker and lighter sides as the movie (based on his own story) develops and the film becomes far more interesting when it leaves the semi-comedic scheming behind and focuses on the burgeoning relationship between the two protagonists. To be honest, much on offer here has dated-especially the dialogue-and there are a few sexual and racial howlers, but the film has a sweet heart. On the DVD : Very, very little-scene selection and biographies of Poitier, Beau Bridges and musical director Quincy Jones. Lincoln--arguably the films true star--is totally ignored. The colours and beauty of the film however are given added impact by the crispness of DVD.-Phil Udell

• Nothing But A Man | DVD | (08/09/2008) from £21.58   |  Saving you £-5.59 (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  A landmark independent film Nothing But A Man is one of the most sincere and sensitive pictures ever made about the struggles and hardships of Black life in 1960s America. Lauded by critics at the Venice and New York Film Festivals when it first premiered in 1963 this quietly moving beautiful film remains as relevant and powerful today as it was then. Set against the stirrings of the civil rights movement and a rising wave of burgeoning Black price A landmark independent film Nothing But A Man is one of the most sincere and sensitive pictures ever made about the struggles and hardships of Black life in 1960s America. Lauded by critics at the Venice and New York Film Festivals when it first premiered in 1963 this quietly moving beautiful film remains as relevant and powerful today as it was then. Set against the stirrings of the civil rights movement and a rising wave of burgeoning Black price Nothing But A Man tells the story of Duff a railroad section hand who is forced to confront racial prejudice and self-denial when he falls in love with Josie an educated preacher's daughter. Starring Ivan Dixon (Porgy and Bess A Raisin in the Sun) and jazz great Abbey Lincoln in performances Siskel & Ebert called ""terrific "" it is ultimately an uplifting story about a man and a s woman whose love overcomes racial and class barriers. The original soundtrack features Motown stars Stevie Wonder Mary Wells Martha and the Vandellas The Miracles and The Marvelettes. From acclaimed director Michael Roemer Nothing But A Man is a devastatingly powerful film about living life without the basic necessities of dignity and respect. Watching this film we are forced to confront not only what we were but what we are how far we've come and how far we still have to go. To celebrate its 40th anniversary this groundbreaking American classic is available for the first time ever on DVD. tells the story of Duff a railroad section hand who is forced to confront racial prejudice and self-denial when he falls in love with Josie an educated preacher's daughter. Starring Ivan Dixon (Porgy and Bess A Raisin in the Sun) and jazz great Abbey Lincoln in performances Siskel & Ebert called ""terrific "" it is ultimately an uplifting story about a man and a s woman whose love overcomes racial and class barriers. The original soundtrack features Motown stars Stevie Wonder Mary Wells Martha and the Vandellas The Miracles and The Marvelettes. From acclaimed director Michael Roemer Nothing But A Man is a devastatingly powerful film about living life without the basic necessities of dignity and respect. Watching this film we are forced to confront not only what we were but what we are how far we've come and how far we still have to go. To celebrate its 40th anniversary this groundbreaking American classic is available for the first time ever on DVD.