A light-skinned Black maid navigates secrets, scandal, and race in a mansion ruled by dysfunction.
HIGH YELLOW
The Explosive Story of the Year
Cynthia Wood, a 17-year-old, light-skinned black girl, tries to pass off as white after getting hired of a wealthy movie magnate Mr. Langley who has family problems with his spoiled wife and his promiscuous teenage daughter and son.
High Yellow is a 1965 American drama film directed by Larry Buchanan about Cynthia Wood, a 17-year-old light-skinned Black housemaid who passes for white, entering the turbulent world of a wealthy movie magnate's troubled family.
Synopsis
- Director
- Larry Buchanan
- Writer
- Larry Buchanan
- Release
- 1965
- Runtime
- 1h 23m
- Country
- United States of America
- Language
- English
- Genres
- Drama
Why Cult
The film centers on Cynthia, a light-skinned Black teenager passing as white, dissecting the complexities of race and identity in 1960s America.
Expect a heady brew of blackmail, murder, mistaken identities, and taboo romance—classic psychotronic drama with a B-movie edge.
From a tyrannical movie mogul to his rebellious children and a sadistic handyman, the Langley mansion is a hotbed of secrets, crime, and dysfunction.
This independent drama doesn't flinch from forbidden love, interracial romance, and controversial themes rarely tackled in its era.
Themes & Keywords
Trailer
Questions from the Vault
What is High Yellow about? +
High Yellow follows Cynthia, a 17-year-old light-skinned Black maid who passes as white, as she becomes entangled in the secrets and scandals of the dysfunctional Langley family.
When was High Yellow released? +
High Yellow was released in 1965.
Who directed High Yellow? +
High Yellow was directed by Larry Buchanan.
How long is High Yellow? +
High Yellow has a runtime of 83 minutes.
What genre is High Yellow? +
High Yellow is a drama film.
Where can I watch High Yellow? +
High Yellow is available to stream on SassyFlix.