Co-stars: Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates, Antony James
Best Quote: Chief Gillespie - Virgil - that’s a funny name for a nigra boy from Philadelphia.
What do they call you up there?
Virgil Tibbs - They call me MR. TIBBS!
Despite being somewhat of a dated message movie, In the Heat of the Night is still an entertaining movie. This is due the acting of the two leads, Steiger and Poitier, the supporting cast, and the excellent script and direction. Steiger won an Academy Award and its deserved - mostly. While not completely convincing as a small-town Southerner and overdoing the gum chewing, he has some great moments and scenes as he slowly comes to respect Virgil Tibbs. Highlights include Steiger's "Yeah, Oh Yeah!" after Warren Oates sees Tibbs' police badge, and his line reading of "I don't Know" when Endicott asks him what about the Tibbs' slap.
Poitier has the easier role, as the hero, but he plays the Tibbs with the right amount of pride and resentment. Supporting character standouts include, Oates as the dumb, Barney-Fife like Police officer, Antony James as the incredibly creepy "Ralph", and Peter Whitney as the lazy "Courtney."
All these positives come with some negatives. First, everyone in the town is a little too lazy, dumb, and racist - including Gillespie. Twice Gillespie arrests the wrong man on the filmiest of evidence - and is then shocked when Tibbs points out the obvious. Meanwhile, Oates is so dumb he arrests a man without searching/questioning him. Even the town Doctor needs Tibbs to explain Rigor Mortis. And of course, there's Delores, the cliche small-town tramp and her brother -an uptight gun-toting moron. Everyone seems to be the model for "Cletus the slack jawed Yokel" except for Endicott - who's just creepy and racist.
And there are some plot holes.
Why is Tibbs (who makes 4 times Gillespie's salary) taking a train that forces him to spend 4 hours (Midnight to 4 AM) in a small Mississippi town? Why wouldn't the county or state have their own Homicide experts that Gillespie could call on? Why does everyone show up at Belahs -with guns - at the same time Tibbs does? Why would Gillespie jump to the conclusion his own deputy did it, based on one bank deposit? And if its so hot, why does Tibbs spend the whole movie in a $500 suit and tie?
Summary: Despite the dated race angle, very enjoyable. Pros: Poitier-Steiger chemistry, supporting actors, Ray Charles, "Fowl Owl on the Prowl", small town atmosphere. Cons: Plot holes, Small-Town whites are cartoon characters, generic action scenes Rating ***
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