A Patch of Blue is a 1965 American drama movie directed by Guy Green and based on the 1961 novel "Be Ready with Bells and Drums" by Elizabeth Kara. It stars Sidney Poitier, Shelley Winters, Elizabeth Hartman, Wallace Ford, Ivan Dixon, John Qualen and was distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was nominated for 5 Oscars and won an Academy Award in 1966.