This is the third version of the story I've seen, a far cry from the excellent 1948 version of the 1940 play that seems to focus on the character played by Richard Thomas (in the role of William Richmond, played by Lew Ayres opposite Jane Wyman's Johnny) rather than the title character played by Rosanna Arquette. Living with her fearsome father (Roberts Blossom) and world weary aunt (Fran Ryan), Johnny is rumored to be developmently disabled but is really deaf and mute, and slowly for friends William who works at a local medical clinic. When Johnny is raped and becomes pregnant, the friendship between them begins to turn to romance even though he's been seeing pretty local Candy Clark. A young Dennis Quaid is the rapist father to be, getting his comeuppance when he makes a reappearance after abusing Arquette on a drunken joyride.
There were so many remakes of classic films of the 1930's and 40's done for television in the 1970's and 80's, and hardly any of them are memorable. It's not horrendous, and it's interesting to see the perspective told through Thomas's character, but the pretty Arquette doesn't have the tragic waif like quality that Wyman did. Slightly better however than the 1967 TV version with Mia Farrow, and given a colorful look thanks to 80's technical advancements. So it's a different viewpoint for the story, with Blossom and Ryan great in support, with Blossom grizzled and yet an old softie in spite of his gruffness. This is definitely done in a more modern setting, another unique change. I can't call it an unnecessary remake, but certainly not the version that should be watched first.
There were so many remakes of classic films of the 1930's and 40's done for television in the 1970's and 80's, and hardly any of them are memorable. It's not horrendous, and it's interesting to see the perspective told through Thomas's character, but the pretty Arquette doesn't have the tragic waif like quality that Wyman did. Slightly better however than the 1967 TV version with Mia Farrow, and given a colorful look thanks to 80's technical advancements. So it's a different viewpoint for the story, with Blossom and Ryan great in support, with Blossom grizzled and yet an old softie in spite of his gruffness. This is definitely done in a more modern setting, another unique change. I can't call it an unnecessary remake, but certainly not the version that should be watched first.