The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman ***** (1974, Cicely Tyson, Michael Murphy, Richard Dysart, Katherine Helmond, Odetta) – Classic Movie Review 10,860

Director John Korty’s triumphant 1974 TV movie The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, based on the novel by Ernest J Gaines, is classic television. Cicely Tyson stars in the lead role as Jane Pittman, along with Michael Murphy as Quentin Lerner, Richard Dysart as Master Bryant, Katherine Helmond as Lady at House, and Odetta as Big Laura.

It won Nine Emmy Awards, including two for its star Cicely Tyson, who won Actress of the Year and Best Lead Actress in a Drama. The screenplay is written by Tracy Keenan Wynn, who won Best Writing in Drama. It is notable for its realistic special make-up by Stan Winston and Rick Baker for the lead character, who is shown from the ages of 23 to 110, and they won for Outstanding Achievement in Makeup.

The movie takes place in February 1962. Jane is 110 and her life has spanned from the time of slavery in the 1850s to the Civil Rights Movement. Jane, born into slavery in the South, tells the story of her life to a journalist and she goes to a segregated water fountain where a little girl has been arrested because she’s black to desegregate it.

Also in the cast are Rod Perry as Joe Pittman, Arnold Wilkerson as Jimmy, Joel Fluellen as Unc Isom, Will Hare as Elbert Cluveau, and Thalmus Rasulala as Jane’s adopted son Ned. In “Roots” (1977), he played her husband..

It also won Best Directing in Drama (John Korty), Best Music Composition for a Special Program (Fred Karlin), Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design (Bruce Walkup and Sandra Stewart), Outstanding Special – Comedy or Drama and Outstanding Achievement in Any Area of Creative Technical Crafts (Lynda Gurasich, hairstylist)

It is executive produced by Roger Gimbel, made by Tomorrow Entertainment and was originally broadcast on CBS (1974) (USA) (TV) but was screened in UK cinemas, released by Saga Film Distributors (1974) (UK) (theatrical).

It is shot in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Natchez, Mississippi, Woodville, Mississippi, Ashland-Belle Helene Plantation – State Highway 75, Geismer, Louisiana, Ryan Airport – 9430 Jackie Cochran Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and The Cottage Plantation – 10528 Cottage Lane, St Francisville, Louisiana

In Roots (1977), Thalmus Rasulala played Tyson’s husband.

RIP Cicely Tyson, Hollywood trailblazer in TV and film, who died at 96 on 28 January 2021. She was given an Honorary Award at the 2019 Academy Awards. She was Oscar nominated for Sounder (1972) and won two Primetime Emmys for The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974).

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 10,860

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