Movie-of-the-Day # 286 - Steel Magnolias

[Dback Jon]

Amazon.com essential video
Based on Robert Harling's play, this comedy-drama directed by Herbert Ross (The Turning Point) follows several years in the lives of women who regularly see one another at a beauty shop in their small Louisiana town. The story deepens as Julia Roberts, playing a serious diabetic and the daughter of Sally Field, goes downhill in her health. But as an ensemble piece, this is one of those enjoyably lumpy tearjerkers with many years' worth of stored truths suddenly being shared between the characters, lots of grievances aired, that sort of thing. Daryl Hannah and Shirley MacLaine assume the most eccentric roles, Dolly Parton the most fun, and Olympia Dukakis the most dignified, while Sally Field essentially provides the moral and emotional center of the movie. --Tom Keogh



OK - I will admit - I cried when Julia Roberts diesd.

Love the dialogue between Dukakis and MacLaine.

 

[Dback Jon]

Trivia for
Steel Magnolias (1989)
This movie was based on a play written about a sister of Phi Mu sorority. Susan Harling was a member of the Kappa Iota chapter and her brother wrote the play on which the movie is based.


'Wynona Ryder' was originally offered the role of Shelby.


When Robert Harling last spoke to his sister, he was telling her how hard it was to be a writer in New York and have people consider his work. His sister commented on how she wished she could help him somehow but she didn't know what she could do. When she died after surgery, Harling wrote the play that this movie is based on in her honor, thereby making him an established and respected writer.


'Darryl Hannah' was originally turned down for the role of Annelle as the director thought that she was too attractive to play the part, she asked if she could come in and read for the part anyway. She arrived at the studio the next day dressed as Annelle and was so unrecognisable that security refused to let her in.


Is shot in the small Louisiana town of Natchitoches. Reportedly, the filmmakers placed such a great strain on the locals, particularly those who volunteered to be extras, that several years later, when the film The Man in the Moon (1991) was shot in the same town, extras were difficult to find, as so many townspeople had been burned by the Steel Magnolias crew.


M'Lynn's home is actually a Bed and Breakfast in Natchitoches. It is on Front Street by the river and can be easily located, as it is now known as "The Steel Magnolias Bed and Breakfast."


There is no parish or town in Louisiana known as Chinquapin. "Chinquapin" is the name for a type of fish and a particular breed of oak tree. The town of Natchitoches in the parish of the same name served as the backdrop for the film. Natchitoches actually does have a large Christmas Light Festival annually. Interestingly, Natchitoches was also the first settlement in the Louisiana Territory. Natchitoches Central High School's mascot is now the Chief, but before the production of Steel Magnolias, it was the Chinquapin.


Herbert Ross wanted an authentic feel to the hospital scenes so he hired the doctors and nurses who tended to the writer's sister (on whom the movie and play are based) during her last days in hospital to play themselves during Julia Robert's scenes on life support

 

[Ryanwb]

This movie is kinda...... gay

 

[Dback Jon]

This movie is kinda...... gay

Wow - nothing gets by you.....

 

[thirty-two]

I have not seen this.

I had no idea Julia Roberts was in it.

I might have to check it out

 

[Renz]

I have not seen this.

I had no idea Julia Roberts was in it.

I might have to check it out

 

[thirty-two]

LOL

I was 5 when this movie came out!

 

[Renz]

LOL

I was 5 when this movie came out!

Thanks. I didn't need that.

 

[thirty-two]

Thanks. I didn't need that.

:runs:

 

[Dback Jon]

I have not seen this.

I had no idea Julia Roberts was in it.

I might have to check it out

This is a serious, grade A chick-flick - with great performances by all, including Sally Field, Darryl Hannah & Olympia Dukakis!

 

[Linderbee]

So, this is officially my favorite movie of all time (Pretty Woman a close 2nd). The writing in this movie is absolutely fabulous.

Watching it again with my girls for approximately the...30th time or so. No exaggeration. They love it every bit as much as I do.

Nothin' like movie time with the kids.

(funny part is we are sitting around eating artichokes...think I can convince movie theaters to start selling them instead of popcorn?)

 

[abomb]

Is shot in the small Louisiana town of Natchitoches. Reportedly, the filmmakers placed such a great strain on the locals, particularly those who volunteered to be extras, that several years later, when the film The Man in the Moon (1991) was shot in the same town, extras were difficult to find, as so many townspeople had been burned by the Steel Magnolias crew.

My mom grew up about 10 miles away. I'm not sure of this story, but my mom's aunt is in the wedding (?) scene. She is wearing a blue dress, but I dont think they show her face.