On this day in 1967, United Artists released a film adaptation of John Ball's 1965 novel, In the Heat of the Night, in movie theaters nationwide. Directed by Norman Jewison, the cast included Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates, Lee Grant, Larry Gates, and James Patterson. On a budget of $2,000,000, In the Heat of the Night managed to make over $24,400,000 at the worldwide box office. The movie went on to win 5 Academy Awards, including Best Picture over several high profile films such as Bonnie & Clyde, The Graduate, and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. In the years since, In the Heat of the Night has been widely regarded as a classic, appearing on several 100 Years lists from the American Film Institute.