| The Migrants | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Written by | Lanford Wilson |
| Story by | Tennessee Williams |
| Directed by | Tom Gries |
| Starring | |
| Composer | Billy Goldenberg |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | Tom Gries |
| Cinematography | Richard C. Kratina |
| Editor | Bud S. Isaacs |
| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Production company | CBS Television Network |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS |
| Release | February 3, 1974 (1974-02-03) |
The Migrants is a 1974 American drama television film directed and produced by Tom Gries and written by Lanford Wilson, based on a story by Tennessee Williams. The film stars Cloris Leachman, Ron Howard, and Sissy Spacek. It received for six Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Special – Comedy or Drama and Best Lead Actress in a Drama for Leachman.
Synopsis
A family of migratory farm workers travels the country performing seasonal work.
Cast
- Cloris Leachman as Viola Barlow
- Ron Howard as Lyle Barlow
- Sissy Spacek as Wanda Trimpin
- Cindy Williams as Betty
- Ed Lauter as Mr. Barlow
- Lisa Lucas as Molly Barlow
- Mills Watson as Hec Campbell
- David Clennon as Tom Trimpin
- Dinah Englund as Billie Jean Barlow
- Brad Sullivan as Johnson
- Leon Russom as Doctor
- Claudia McNeil as Rose Daw
- Tom Rosqui as Father
- Dolph Sweet as Sheriff
- Mari Gorman as Miss Travers
- Wally Parnell as First Overseer
- George Castellini as Second Overseer
- Henry Newman as Beard
- Richard DeFeo as Diaz
- Rudolph Tillman as Mr. Daw
- Joseph Brady as Minister
- Bill Pope as Billy Dan
- Sol Weiner as Sheriff's Deputy
- Kathleen Garrison as Baby
- Suzanne Garrison as Baby #2
Production
Filming took place in Vineland, New Jersey.
Reception
New York Times reviewer Cyclops criticized the fact that many of the usual Tennessee Williams elements were missing. Howard Rosenberg of the Los Angeles Times, however, placed the movie on his list of the 30 best TV movies.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 26th Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Special – Comedy or Drama | Tom Gries | Nominated |
| Best Lead Actress in a Drama | Cloris Leachman | Nominated | ||
| Best Directing in Drama – Single Program – Comedy or Drama | Tom Gries | Nominated | ||
| Best Writing in Drama – Original Teleplay | Lanford Wilson | Nominated | ||
| Best Music Composition – For a Special Program | Billy Goldenberg | Nominated | ||
| Best Cinematography for Entertainment Programming – For a Special or Feature Length Program Made for Television | Richard C. Kratina | Nominated |
References
- "The Migrants (TV Movie 1974)" – via www.imdb.com.
- Cyclops (3 February 1974). "The World of the Joads Is Still With Us". The New York Times – via www.nytimes.com.
- ROSENBERG, HOWARD (23 April 1989). "THE CRITICAL VIEW : 30 of the Best From an Uneven Collection" – via LA Times.
External links
- The Migrants at IMDb
| Films directed by Tom Gries | |
|---|---|
|
| Works by Lanford Wilson | |
|---|---|
|
- 1974 films
- 1974 drama films
- 1974 television films
- 1970s English-language films
- CBS films
- American drama television films
- Films about families
- Films about farmers
- Films based on works by Tennessee Williams
- Films directed by Tom Gries
- Films scored by Billy Goldenberg
- Films set on farms
- Films shot in New Jersey
- 1970s American films