A Christmas Memory

Vastly superior to the more recent version with Patty Duke, based on Truman Capote's autobiographical piece of the same title (originally published in conjunction with Breakfast at Tiffanys).

Geraldine Page is absolutely magnificent as Sook, the simple but loving companion of Buddy, Capote's young self, a lonely boy not yet corrupted by the realities of life. This moving story of their special relationship revolves around the annual event of baking large numbers fruit cakes to give as Christmas presents to everyone from friendly passing acquaintances to the president of the United States.

Living as they do in near poverty, dependent on the seemingly grudging support of uninterested (?) family members, they must scrounge and forage for the necessary ingredients to make the cakes. Particularly touching is their visit to the local bootlegger to purchase a bottle of whiskey. Frightened tho they are of approaching this intimidating character, they screw their courage to the sticking place to achieve their goal, with a surprising result.

As a young teen, I happened to read this story shortly before seeing the television presentation. It was a real emotional double whammy to experience the sensitive story of the love between these two 'outcasts', first on the page and then upon the TV screen. Surprisingly, I also got to see it on the movie screen several years later, 1972 or 1973, in a southern CA movie theater, where it was, if I recall correctly, shown before a screening of The Devils. Strange, very strange, double bill!

Page, of course, was brilliant in her portrayal of this 'cracked teacup', her ability to allow a character to be as vulnerable, yet strong in some surprising ways, has never in my opinion seen its equal in any actor. And the young actor, Donnie Melvin as Buddy, delivers a performance of heart aching innocence so fine that it cannot help but thaw the meanest Christmas Scrooge.

Like many others I remember seeing this on television, and I've always remembered it because of Capote's narration and Geraldine Page's portrayal of Cousin Sook.

Recently I purchased a color version of the movie on DVD and watched it again for the first time in decades. It is as good as I remembered and very faithful to the original story, and also just like the story, it is short, less than an hour.

Some have posted that the color version is better, but it's the story and the acting that make this film special, not whether it is in b/w or color, so if you can't get it in color (which is difficult) get it in b/w and share this wonderful classic with those you love.

For many years, this 1966 production of "A Christmas Memory" (don't be fooled by the very marginal 1997 Patty Duke re-make) was broadcast annually on PBS. I recorded one of those broadcasts a long time ago and the tape has deteriorated considerably. So I looked on Amazon for a DVD; no luck. But Amazon listed a VHS format of it in black and white; why black and white, I'm not sure. According to the information on Amazon, the company which produced the b&w VHS has sole rights to sell the movie. So I bought it. The quality is fine but I'd much rather have it on DVD and in color. If you ever have a chance to see the movie on TV or buy it on home video, be sure to do so. Geraldine Page's performance and Capote's narration make it worth the hunt.

There's also a sequel of sorts: "The Thanksgiving Visitor." ( http://imdb.com/title/tt0324218 ) Another adaptation of a Capote short story with Page reprising her role as Sook.

This short TV play, with the incredible Geraldine Page as Sook, the somewhat daffy and naive cousin of Buddy (Capote as a boy), and narrated by Capote himself (not in his sweet and obnoxious voice), used to appear on television every Christmas season. Alas, no longer. Have we outgrown innocence? It's the story of two delightful people living in a house with two stiff necked aunts who can't stand their play, dancing and general enjoyment of life.

Every year, Sook searches out pecans, fallen from local orchards, to make her fruitcakes which are the only gift she can afford to give for Christmas. And give she does, to everyone she knows, people she admires but doesn't know, including the President. She and Buddy must save their pennies all year to afford the flour and sugar, dried fruit and most importantly the rum for the cake.

I would go on, but it is best for you to discover this gem. Don't take the later version with Patty Duke to be superior or even the equal of this one. No one will ever be able to touch Page's performance; she owns "Sook" forever.

This treasure needs to be released on DVD, with other Capote plays that starred Page.

I cannot believe this wonderful program, "A Christmas Memory," has received no votes or comments. But, then, it probably hasn't been seen or available for years. One of Capote's finest short stories, his TV adaptation was an annual small-screen event in the late 60s.

"A Christmas Memory" autobiographical-- concerns the sad little boy who was Truman Capote-- who is shuttled from relative to relative (he's also "Dill" in "To Kill a Mockingbird.") For several winters he stays with these particular relatives-- including the rather simple Sook. The piece is narrated by Capote (sans most of his "preciousness") and just beautifully performed by the wonderful Geraldine Page and a fine youngster named Donnie Melvin. I believe the work was filmed on location in Alabama. I don't remember its being in color but the black & white film was fine-- particularly for the late fall crispness depicted in the enchanting sequence in which Sook and Buddy go to the cabin of the local bootlegger-- a forbidding old Indian named "Ha-Ha"-- to obtain Whisky for the fruit-cakes Sook bakes that they send out to unknown and famous folk-- including the residents of the Roosevelt White House.

The most endearing moment occurs on the morning of December 25th when Buddy and Sook can't contain themselves and make just enough noise to wake the other "aunts"-- the household. As the two grumpy women slip into the room and the conspirators barely contain their delight, the inimitable voice of Capote drolly states: "They'd like to kill us... but it's Christmas, so they can't!"

Ten Stars indeed!!! Find this one if you can!