Movie Review: Steel Magnolias (1989)

Re-released in VHS and DVD, July, 2000.

The funniest movie ever to make you cry.

Directed by: Herbert Ross
Produced by: Ray Stark Andrew Stone (I) (associate), Victoria White (II) (executive)
Original music by: Georges Delerue
Cinematography by: John A. Alonzo  

Cast

Sally Field: M'Lynn Eatenton
Dolly Parton: Truvy Jones
Shirley MacLaine: Louisa 'Ouiser' Boudreaux
Daryl Hannah: Annelle Dupuy Desoto
Olympia Dukakis: Clairee Belcher
Julia Roberts: Shelby Eatenton Latcherie
Dylan McDermott: Jackson Latcherie
Tom Skerritt: Drum Eatenton
Kevin J. O'Connor: Sammy Dwayne Desoto
Jonathan Ward: Jonathan Eatenton
Knowl Johnson: Thomas 'Tommy' Lee Eatenton
Sam Shepard: Spud Jones
Ann Wedgeworth: Aunt Fern Thornton
Bibi Besch: Belle Marmillion
Bill McCutcheon: Owen Jenkins      Runtime: 117 minutes USA

Local Color

I was taken to see Steel Magnolias as a "surprise" when it came out in 1989. I didn't have a clue what it was about or where it was filmed, until a few minutes into the film. The houses and streets looked very familiar and all of a sudden, I burst out, "I've been there! That's Natchitoches!"

Natchitoches, LA

Steel Magnolias was actually filmed in the author's hometown of Natchitoches, Louisiana. They do have a Christmas celebration (Novemer 21 - January 6) down by the Red River - it is called the Festival of Lights - but they don't serve crawfish (they are out of season) or iced tea (its easier to buy and pour prepared soft drinks, you can get hot chocolate, though.)

The Christmas Festival celebrates its 80th anniversary this year. Natchitoches, itself, is the oldest city within the Louisiana Purchase barely beating New Orleans for that honor.

Visitors to Natchitoches are treated to a number of historical sites, including the much more recent Steel Magnolias tour which features sites of the filming of this much enjoyed movie.

Natchitoches residents were used as extras, including Norm Fletcher and Lori Tate. Fletcher and Tate played the parts of the bridegroom's parents. Robert Harling, author of Steel Magnolias, played the minister that married Shelby and Jackson Latcherie.

Steel Magnolias

Robert Harling originally wrote Steel Magnolias as a play. It was first performed in 1987 at the W.P.A. Theatre in New York City with Kyle Murray as artistic director.

The play is enjoying a small revival at local playhouses as older persons want to share the timeless humor with a new audience and as the movie is re-released on video and DVD with never before scenes included.

Steel Magnolias is the story of six southern women facing life's changes and challenges together. They interact primarily at a beauty parlor owned by Truvy played by Dolly Parton. Truvy is not close to her husband or son and shares her love and humor with all.

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