Sarah, Plain and Tall (1991) (TV)

Director:

Glenn Jordan

Writers (WGA):

Patricia MacLachlan (book)
Patricia MacLachlan (teleplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

3 February 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family

Plot:

A single New England woman responds to an advertisement by a Midwestern widower in which he asks for a bride to help him raise his two children.

Plot Keywords:

Children | Maine | Letter | Farm | Farmer

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 1 win & 8 nominations

Cast

Glenn Close	...	Sarah Wheaton
Christopher Walken	...	Jacob Witting
Lexi Randall	...	Anna Witting
Malgorzata Zajaczkowska	...	Maggie Grant (as Margaret Sophie Stein)
Jon DeVries	...	Matthew Grant
Christopher Bell	...	Caleb Witting
James Rebhorn	...	William Wheaton
Woody Watson	...	Jess Stearns
Betty Laird	...	Mrs. Parkley
Marc Penney	...	Ticket Agent
Kara Beth Taylor	...	Rose
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Larry Moran	...	Jedidiah (uncredited)

Directed by
Glenn Jordan

Writing credits (WGA)
Patricia MacLachlan		(book)
Patricia MacLachlan		(teleplay) and
Carol Sobieski		(teleplay)

Produced by
Glenn Close	....	executive producer
Glenn Jordan	....	producer
William Self	....	executive producer

Original Music by
David Shire

Cinematography by
Mike Fash

Film Editing by
John Wright

Casting by
Marsha Kleinman

Production Design by
Ed Wittstein

Art Direction by
Timothy R. Bauer		(uncredited)

Set Decoration by
Robert Checchi
Rob Laird

Costume Design by
Van Broughton Ramsey

Makeup Department
Karen Bradley	....	makeup artist
Verne Caruso	....	hair stylist
Alan D'Angerio	....	hair stylist: Ms. Close
McKinley Kirby	....	makeup artist: Ms. Close

Production Management
Robert Doudell	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Bettiann Fishman	....	second assistant director
Ellen H. Schwartz	....	first assistant director (as Ellen Schwartz)

Art Department
Stanford Gilbert	....	assistant property master
Stephen Goldblatt	....	lead scenic artist
Cheri Paul	....	property master
Richard D. Wright	....	set dresser

Sound Department
Tim Chilton	....	foley artist
Bob Costanza	....	sound editor
Robert W. Glass Jr.	....	sound re-recording mixer
Jacob Goldstein	....	production sound mixer
Tommy Goodwin	....	foley mixer
G. Michael Graham	....	supervising sound editor (as Michael Graham)
Grover B. Helsley	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Grover Helsley)
Suzanne Jesse	....	foley supervisor
Kristi Johns	....	adr editor
Troy Porter	....	adr mixer
Richard D. Rogers	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Richard Rogers)
Frank Fleming	....	sound recordist (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
John D. Burkley	....	gaffer (as John Burkley)
Bob Greene	....	still photographer
Dennis J. Laine	....	assistant camera
Rick Marroquin	....	grip
Robert D. Shulman	....	key grip (as Bob Shulman)

Casting Department
Beverlee Dean	....	casting: children
Shari Rhodes	....	casting: children
Jack Wright	....	casting: Kansas

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Sonny Merritt	....	set costumer
Cheri Reed	....	key costumer
Joan Thomas	....	costume supervisor

Editorial Department
Barbara Dunning	....	assistant film editor

Music Department
Tom Boyd	....	musician: oboe soloist
Roberta Vidricksen	....	vocal coach

Transportation Department
Ted Basso	....	production van driver operator
Oscar Beguiristain	....	transportation co-captain
Alan Collis	....	transportation coordinator
Manny Demello	....	driver
Bubba Thrift	....	transportation

Other crew
Adam Boster	....	production assistant
Brett Botula	....	location manager
Judi Brown	....	script supervisor
Dawn Dumas	....	animal trainer (as Dawn Martin)
Hodgson Eckel	....	production assistant
Brenda Findley	....	assistant production coordinator (as Brenda Manske)
Madeleine Klein	....	animal trainer
Keith Mitchell	....	production staff
Stacey Nathan	....	assistant: Mr. Jordan
Marsha Paludan	....	choreographer
Denny Peterson	....	wrangler
Levi Peterson	....	wrangler
Michael Stubbs	....	location manager
Darren Wiseman	....	assistant location manager
Teresa M. Yarbrough	....	production coordinator (as Teresa Yarbrough)
Dixie Jones	....	assistant production accountant (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions
• Self Productions
• Trillium Productions

Distributors

• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1991) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• NHK (1992) (Japan) (TV)
• Paris Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Echo Film Services  sound editing
• Helen Uffner Vintage Clothing  vintage clothing rentals
• Noteworthy  music editing
• Pacific Title  titles and opticals
• Ryder Sound Services  re-recording

Also Known As:

"Hallmark Hall of Fame: Sarah, Plain and Tall (#40.2)" - USA (anthology series)

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:G

Filming Locations:

Osage City, Kansas, USA

Company:

Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions

Trivia:

John and Ada Bryan's old home served as the Whiting house. The Bryan's lived in the home from 1948 to 1960 before moving. Although they thought about selling the house, the couldn't bring themselves to do it, citing that their kids would never forgive them. Although the house was in very bad shape, it was remodeled by a movie company who wanted it to shoot a movie called "The Last Cattle Drive". Extensive renovations were completed, including enlarging the doors so camera equipment could come in and out. However, the movie plans were scrapped, but when a location scout for Sarah, Plain & Tall came upon the house, he knew he'd found an ideal location.

Quotes:

Maggie Grant:Are you sorry she came?
Anna Witting:No.
Maggie Grant:Me, too.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Simpsons: Bart's Girlfriend (#6.7)" (1994)

Soundtrack:

Come all ye fair and tender ladies

Beautifully Done

I had always heard good things about this film but never got around to seeing it. My 8 year old daughter loves books on the prairie life and we saw the video at the library so we watched it and we were both so moved, so impressed. A lovely film, wonderfully acted - Walken is a nice surprise - after a long, Hollywood career playing weirdos and sickos - he gives a fully realized, delicate, heartbreaking performance as a widower Kansas farmer. The children stay away from cliched, hammy acting and the whole thing is touching and sweet.