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WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY, THE: RUBY BRIDGES {TAPE 1 OF 2} (TV)

Summary

Tape one of two. One of this series of Disney movies presented under the umbrella title "The Wonderful World of Disney." This made-for-television production is about six-year-old Ruby Bridges, the first African-American child to attend integrated schools in New Orleans, Louisianna, in 1960. The program begins with Disney president Michael Eisner offering some introductory thoughts and giving a brief history of school segregation. Then, President Bill Clinton offers his own thoughts on the integration of schools in the 1960s. The movie begins in November of 1960 in New Orleans as Dr. Broyard of the NAACP informs Lucy Bridges that her eldest daughter, Ruby, has tested incredibly well in school. Later, Ruby's father Abon arrives and Dr. A.C. Broyard tells them that Ruby has been selected with five other "negro" children for a special integration program. Abon tells Lucy that he isn't so sure about putting Ruby into a school where she isn't wanted. Meanwhile, Ruby is a bit disappointed that she will have to leave her friends to attend a different school. The next day, Abon notices a police checkpoint on his street. The officers inform him that he will now need an ID to get home. Then, Deputy U.S. Marshal Al Butler arrives at the Bridges' home to escort Lucy and Ruby to the William Frantz Public School. Once there, Ruby is escorted by four marshals through an angry crowd of protesters. Ruby is told by Al not to look at those shouting. Dr. Robert Coles, a local psychiatrist, observes the scene from across the street. At the school door, a state trooper tries to bar Ruby from entering under order of the Louisiana governor. However, the marshals are under order from the president and thus Ruby is let into school. Once inside, Ruby and Lucy meet with the school's vice principal, Miss Woodmere, who offers a chilly reception.

Meanwhile, parents immediately begin withdrawing their children from the school, taunting Ruby as they leave. Then, Barbara Henry arrives for her first day as a new teacher, but is told to come back the next day. After sitting in the vice principal's office for the entire morning and afternoon, Ruby is "dismissed" for the day. Meanwhile, Robert tells his wife, Jane, about the crazy scene he witnessed with the protesters. He hopes to work with Ruby and her family in order to help them cope. The next day, Ruby and Lucy yet again struggle to enter school, with an even bigger crowd of protesters surrounding them. That day, the Bridges meet Barbara, who proves kind, walking Ruby down to her first-grade classroom. Ruby and Lucy are the only people in Barbara's room, as the other black children decided not to go through with the integration program. Barbara soon finds herself flustered by the loud taunts heard from those outside. Robert also arrives at school to speak with the brusque Miss Woodmere about helping Ruby. The vice principal refuses to accommodate him, encouraging Robert to go speak with the "colored people's organization." Meanwhile, Barbara finds that Ruby is quite bright for her age. At lunch time, Miss Spencer and the other teachers taunt Barbara for "the disgrace" she is perpetrating by teaching Ruby. By the end of the day, Abon is upset, reading of the conflict in the paper and thinking they should just back out. However, Lucy thinks her husband is acting scared and that Ruby deserves the advantages of attending the better school.

For her third day of school, Ruby has to attend without her mother, being sent off with Lucy's advice to pray for her detractors. Arriving and yet again facing racist taunts, Ruby still manages to hold her head high, thinking of the words of her father and mother. Barbara welcomes Ruby to class, much to Miss Spencer's consternation. Later, Ruby speaks with her friend Alison about their new schools, with Alison recently having enrolled in a private Catholic school. That afternoon, Abon reveals to Lucy that his boss fired him as a car mechanic due to the Ruby kerfuffle. Lucy tries to console her sad and angry husband, telling him that they will get through this struggle. The next day, Abon tries to take Ruby to school, but Al tells him that it isn't a wise idea as he'll get too agitated by the hecklers. That day, Barbara pushes Miss Woodmere to allow Ruby to have music and phys. ed. classes but the woman refuses. Ruby asks Barbara when all the other children will return and class will be "normal." That day, Dr. Broyard goes to the Bridges' home with Robert and Jane. Robert wants to help Ruby face her adversity, but Abon dismisses him. Later, Lucy asks Dr. Broyard if someone in the NAACP could find work for Abon. Dr. Broyard tells Abon to lay low, assuring him that the NAACP will make sure he has money. Abon is furious by the way the NAACP appears to be using Ruby. Eventually, Abon allows Robert to work with Ruby, who claims everything is "just fine" at school. Afterward, Robert wonders aloud to Jane why Ruby doesn't appear to be scared or traumatized. One night, after having finally looked directly at the hecklers during the day, Ruby crawls into bed with her parents, admitting that she is scared. Now, Abon begins getting mistreated around town, even by Mrs. Stein, a Jewish storekeeper that he has dealt with for years. At home, Ruby is barely eating, worrying her parents. Includes commercials. Continues on T:51944.

(Network varies; this series was also telecast on NBC from 1961 to 1981 and on CBS from 1981 to 1983.)

Details

  • NETWORK: ABC
  • DATE: January 18, 1998 Sunday 7:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:00:13
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T:51943
  • GENRE: Drama, historical
  • SUBJECT HEADING: African-American Collection - Drama; Drama, historical; Civil Rights; Racism - Drama
  • SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1997-2008
  • COMMERCIALS:
    • TV - Commercials - "Spice World" motion picture
    • TV - Commercials - Boston Market restaurants
    • TV - Commercials - Burger King restaurants
    • TV - Commercials - Chef Boyardee ravioli
    • TV - Commercials - Children's Advil medication
    • TV - Commercials - Children's Tylenol medication
    • TV - Commercials - Children First Mentoring Hotline
    • TV - Commercials - Colgate toothpaste
    • TV - Commercials - CoverGirl makeup
    • TV - Commercials - Curel moisturizer
    • TV - Commercials - Diet Dr. Pepper soft drinks
    • TV - Commercials - Discover credit cards
    • TV - Commercials - National car rentals
    • TV - Commercials - Olive Garden restaurants
    • TV - Commercials - Oreo cookies
    • TV - Commercials - Pantene hair spray
    • TV - Commercials - Saturn automobiles
    • TV - Commercials - Tide detergent
    • TV - Commercials - Werther's Original candies
    • TV - Promos - "20/20"
    • TV - Promos - "America's Funniest Home Videos"
    • TV - Promos - "Disney's One Saturday Morning"
    • TV - Promos - "Look Who's Talking Now"
    • TV - Promos - "Soul Man"
    • TV - Promos - "The Drew Carey Show"

CREDITS

  • Marian Rees … Executive Producer
  • Anne Hopkins … Producer
  • Euzhan Palcy … Co-Producer, Director
  • Toni Ann Johnson … Writer
  • Ruby Bridges … Based on events in the life of
  • Patrice Rushen … Music by
  • Michael Eisner … Host
  • Bill Clinton … Guest
  • Penelope Ann Miller … Cast, Barbara Henry
  • Kevin Pollak … Cast, Dr. Robert Coles
  • Michael Beach … Cast, Abon Bridges
  • Jean Louisa Kelly … Cast, Jane Coles
  • Peter Francis James … Cast, Dr. A.C. Broyard
  • Patrika Darbo … Cast, Miss Spencer
  • Chaz Monet … Cast, Ruby Bridges
  • Diana Scarwid … Cast, Miss Woodmere
  • Lela Rochon … Cast, Lucielle "Lucy" Bridges
  • Toni Ann Johnson … Cast, Alma Broyard
  • Michael Burgess … Cast, Mr. Lewis
  • Al Butler … Cast, Senior Marshal
  • Charlie Lucas … Cast, Mr. Taylor
  • Kiara Tucker … Cast, Alison
  • Christopher Stokes … Cast, Carl
  • Whitney Tucker … Cast, Mary
  • Georgia Weeks … Cast, Jimmy's Mother
  • Jeffrey Spoto … Cast, Jimmy
  • Derin Altay … Cast, Mrs. Stein
  • Ralph Wilcox … Cast, Pastor
  • Joan Gibson … Cast, Mrs. Taylor
  • Robin Robertson … Cast, Reporter
  • John P. Menese … Cast, Minister
  • Brandon Morgan … Cast, Gospel Singer
  • Paula Davis … Cast, Arlene
  • Joe Maggard … Cast, State Trooper
  • John Keenan … Cast, Barricade Guard
  • Gil Johnson … Cast, Policeman
  • Chuck Kinlaw … Cast, Policeman #1
  • D.L. Anderson … Cast, Mother #1
  • Christian Fincannon … Cast, Cathy