A Christmas Memory

A Patty Duke performance that shines, as always. Looking at the other reviews, it would appear that people either loved or hated this nostalgic Christmas tale. Not having seen the earlier version, I was not swayed by comparisons. This one stands up just fine all on its own. It tugs at the heart strings even before the ending, as Miss Duke's character Sook and her young relative Buddy naively make holiday fruitcakes for the President and his wife. Ah, to live in such an innocent age!

Anyone with even the most rudimentary knowledge of Truman Capote and his boyhood years will find this wonderful adaptation right on the mark. The prior, much shorter work (1967) was also wonderfully executed with Geraldine Paige bringing her own interpretations to the screen. Truman Capote narrated that version and it was necessary to slow down the audio track of his voice in order to lower his intonations. No computers to do it then!

But, for my money, the Patty Duke version succeeds on all levels in bringing a superior work to the screen on a television budget.

Geraldine Paige is Sook. I haven't seen Patti Duke's version but why should I when Paige's performance was so perfect. I remember how real the characters were to me at the time I first saw it in the 60's. Would anyone know where I could buy Paige's version of A Christmas Memory? I have searched for a copy of this TV movie for many years. Also scanned the TV programming to see if it would be broadcast again year after year. I would like to ask the networks why hasn't this been shown each year? You may be very surprised to have a huge audience. Sometimes "old" is better. If a movie is not broke, don't fix it. I love "Its a wonderful life" with Jimmy Stewart which is shown 100 times each Christmas season but I think if this movie was added to the programming, it would be refreshing. If I ruled the TV networks, it would be on annually for this generation to feel the true spirit of Christmas.

There is another adaptation of Truman Capote's novella which stars Geraldine Paige and features narration by the author. This version is infinitely superior to the 1997 adaptation. What makes the Paige version work is its austerity and respect for the material. Nothing in it is sticky-sweet or earth-shaking; it tells the story of two gentle souls who enjoy each other's friendship, and tells it well. The 1997 version, on the other hand, seems to have no respect for Capote's story. It fills the stage with other characters, extraneous dialogue, and scenes that are so calculated and sentimental you might have to leave the room (I did). For example, this piece of dialogue: "If you send Buddy to military school, he'll die!" "He won't die." "Then I might!!" Just this one instance is so far away from the heart of Capote's tale that this TV movie should not have the gall to associate itself with the original book. Do yourself a big favor: stay far away from this version and read the original.

I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 Christmas MOVIES.

BEWARE OF BOGUS REVIEWS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I AM HONEST! I REVIEW Christmas MOVIES AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN!

This film is a bout a boy named "Buddy" When Buddy's parents split and his New York thespian mother makes her career a priority, exuberant young boy Buddy (Eric Lloyd) is sent to the Depression-era South to live with distant and aging cousins. Though cousin Jennie (Piper Laurie) is strict and joy is hard to come by in the small town, Buddy finds an unlikely friend in his mentally challenged elder cousin, Sook (Patty Duke). Buddy and Sook embark on many delightful exploits, but forces beyond their control threaten to separate them.

This is a well made adaption of source material. The film holds your attention. The heart of this story is about "Unconditional Love". The two leads in this film have that for each other. It is love that all us deserve to find. I highly recommend this. It is family safe but small children will be bored. I think this is one of those films that the older you are the more you will enjoy this.

I will watch this again.