Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

An old Jewish woman and her African-American chauffeur in the American South have a relationship that grows and improves over the years.

Director:

Bruce Beresford

Writers:

Alfred Uhry (screenplay), Alfred Uhry (play)

Stars:

Morgan Freeman, Jessica Tandy, Dan Aykroyd

Won 4 Oscars. Another 24 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Morgan Freeman	...	Hoke Colburn
Jessica Tandy	...	Daisy Werthan
Dan Aykroyd	...	Boolie Werthan
Patti LuPone	...	Florine Werthan (as Patti Lupone)
Esther Rolle	...	Idella
Joann Havrilla	...	Miss McClatchey
William Hall Jr.	...	Oscar
Alvin M. Sugarman	...	Dr. Weil
Clarice F. Geigerman	...	Nonie
Muriel Moore	...	Miriam
Sylvia Kaler	...	Beulah
Carolyn Gold	...	Neighbor Lady
Crystal R. Fox	...	Katie Bell
Bob Hannah	...	Red Mitchell
Ray McKinnon	...	Trooper #1

Storyline

An elderly Jewish widow living in Atlanta can no longer drive. Her son insists she allow him to hire a driver, which in the 1950s meant a black man. She resists any change in her life but, Hoke, the driver is hired by her son. She refuses to allow him to drive her anywhere at first, but Hoke slowly wins her over with his native good graces. The movie is directly taken from a stage play and does show it. It covers over twenty years of the pair's life together as they slowly build a relationship that transcends their differences.

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Plot Keywords:

jewish | chauffeur | 1950s | widow | african american | 

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Taglines:

The funny, touching and totally irresistible story of a working relationship that became a 25-year friendship.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Hebrew

Release Date:

15 December 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Miss Daisy et son chauffeur

Filming Locations:

822 Lullwater Road, Druid Hills, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$7,500,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$106,593,296 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Zanuck Company, The, Majestic Films International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital (DVD version)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is the only adaptation of an off-Broadway production ever to win an Academy Award for Best Picture.

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Goofs

When Hoke insists on stopping "to make water" at night, the billboard shown is advertising the '57 Plymouth. The car shown on the billboard is a '55 Plymouth.

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Quotes

[Hoke and Boolie are walking thru Daisy's vacated home discussing how Hoke and Daisy have been since Daisy had to be put in the nursing home]
Boolie Werthan: I suppose you don't get out to see her very much.
Hoke Colburn: No, sir... it's hard not drivin'. Every now and then I takes a taxi cab, but don't too many taxis go out yonder.
Boolie Werthan: I'm sure she appreciates it.
Hoke Colburn: Yes, sir.
[pauses]
Hoke Colburn: Some days, she better than others... but then, who ain't?
[Hoke and Boolie both laugh]

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Connections

Referenced in Jeopardy!: Episode #26.26 (2009)

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Soundtracks

"JINGLE BELLS"
(1857)
Written by James Pierpont (uncredited)
Arranged and Performed by Charlotte Georg (as Les Peel)
Courtesy of Capitol Production Music/Ole Georg

User Reviews

A touching film that is a story of ultimate friendship and loyalty.

Driving Miss Daisy is the story of a frienship between a hard to live with Jewish lady and her chauffeur. Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy give great performances along with Dan Aykroyd as a loving son to Miss Daisy. Great score and cinamatography add to this films enjoyment. If you're an old car buff like me, note that beautiful 1948 Hudson that is used in the first half of the movie.