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.
Themes & Keywords
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.
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.
