In the Heat of the Night: Difference between revisions

On his way back home after visiting his mother, Black [[Philadelphia (useful notes)|Philadelphian]] Virgil Tibbs (Poitier) is arrested on suspicion of the murder of a prominent factory owner in Sparta, Mississippi. In his one phone conversation, he reveals that he's actually a homicide detective back 'up North', and is told by his superiors that he should assist the locals in solving the case -- partnered with the casually racist Police Chief Bill Gillespie (Steiger). It's a rocky start to the partnership, but the more Tibbs displays his detective prowess, the more Gillespie comes to respect him. Working together, and fighting together against the truly rabid racism of some of the local rednecks, they solve the case.

The TV series picks up twenty years on with a newly-married Virgil Tibbs moving to Sparta after his mother's death. Turns out that at her funeral he was signed on as Chief of [nonexistent] Detectives by the town's opportunistic mayor. It's the 'New South', and everyone's anxious to seem racially progressive. Except, initially at least, Gillespie and his new -- not to say considerably younger and hunkier -- squad of flatfoots. Also, of course, several dozen bad guys. Ran six seasons. It was kept interesting by brilliant casting choices Carroll O'Connor and Howard Rollins.

[[Category:AcademyMultiple AwardWorks Need Separate Pages]]

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}TV Series]]