Halls of Anger (1970)

Calvin Lockhart, Janet MacLachlan, James A. Watson Jr., Jeff Bridges, Rob Reiner ... see more  , Patricia Stich , John McLiam , Edward Asner , Lou Frizzell , Helen Kleeb , Luther Whitsett , Maye Henderson , Barry Brown , Alex Clarke , Paris Earl , Randy Fredericks , Arline Hamlin , Richard Levin , Kim Manners , Linda Smith , Linda Thomas , Ta-Tanisha , Gary Tigerman , Cal Wilson , Roy Jenson , DeWayne Jessie , Christopher Joy , Florence Saint Peter

White students are bussed into an all black school in this powerful drama. Quincy Davis (Calvin Lockhart) is the dedicated black English teacher who leaves an all white school to teach in the inner ci... read more ty. Lloyd Wilkerson (John McLiam) is the disciplinary principal who manages the institution like a prison. He tells Quincy point blank that his main job is to keep the peace in a potentially explosive situation. Sherry (Patricia Stich) is stripped in the locker room while Douglas (Jeff Bridges) is repeatedly beaten up but refuses to give up or give in to the mob. The white minorities are constantly harassed by the mob lead by the militant J.T. Watson (James A. Watson Jr.). Lerone (Dewayne Jesse) is helped with his reading by Lloyd, and improves his skills by reading Lady Chatterly's Lover. The after-school reading program soon becomes popular to the students, who find new appreciation for literary pursuits. Watch for an early appearance from Rob Reiner, later to achieve sitcom stardom as Meathead on All in the Family and become one of Hollywood's best directors. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi