In the Heat of the Night

STEIGER AND POITIER - AN INSPIRED TEAMING IN A SCREEN CLASSIC Following the discovery of industrialist Philip Colbert's body during a steamy night in the small Mississippi town of Sparta, Virgil Tibbs, a well dressed black, comes under suspicion. After a tirade of bigoted insolence from Chief of Police Bill Gillespie, Virgil produces his identification. Gillespie checks and receives confirmation that Virgil is a homicide detective in Philadelphia who has been in the neighbourhood visiting his mother. It is agreed with reluctance that Virgil should stay on to help carry out the murder investigation. The Police Chief soon believes that the crime has been solved after Harvey Oberst is picked up with Clbert's wallet in his possession, but Virgil dispels this theory. Gillespie becomes increasingly angry and resentful of Tibbs. When Virgil has a physical conformation with Eric Endicott, a leading citizen rooted in the Southern tradition, Gillespie orders him off the case and out of town. Virgil suddenly realises that his own motives are not without prejudice, but he refuses to leave. An Uneasy alliance develops between the pair and as a white gang corner Tibbs menacingly Gillespie intervenes. Further inquires reveal circumstantial evidence pointing to Sam Wood. It seems the case is over, but events take an unexpected twist when sexy local belle Delores Purdy is suddenly hauled into the police station by her brother..... © The Mirisch Corp of Delaware