The Grass Harp (1995)

After his mother's death, Collin Fenwick goes to live with his father's cousins, the wealthy, avaricious, and controlling Verena Talbo, and her compliant, earthy sister Dolly. When a city ... See full summary »

Director:

Charles Matthau

Writers:

Truman Capote (novel), Stirling Silliphant (screenplay),

Stars:

Piper Laurie, Sissy Spacek, Walter Matthau

3 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Piper Laurie	...	Dolly Talbo
Sissy Spacek	...	Verena Talbo
Walter Matthau	...	Judge Charlie Cool
Edward Furlong	...	Collin Fenwick
Nell Carter	...	Catherine Creek
Jack Lemmon	...	Dr. Morris Ritz
Mary Steenburgen	...	Sister Ida
Sean Patrick Flanery	...	Riley Henderson
Joe Don Baker	...	Sheriff Junius Candle
Charles Durning	...	Reverend Buster
Roddy McDowall	...	Amos Legrand
Grayson Fricke	...	Young Collin
Scott Wilson	...	Eugene Fenwick
Bonnie Bartlett	...	Mrs. Buster
Mia Kirshner	...	Maude Riordan

Storyline

After his mother's death, Collin Fenwick goes to live with his father's cousins, the wealthy, avaricious, and controlling Verena Talbo, and her compliant, earthy sister Dolly. When a city slicker comes to town and convinces Verena to market Dolly's locally-famous tonic, Dolly finally gets some backbone, refuses to divulge the formula, and heads for a tree house with Collin and Catherine, the loyal maid. Verena, who has most of the town in her pocket, sics the law on the renegades. Dolly, Catherine, and Collin find a supporter in a retired judge, Charlie Cool, who's attracted to Dolly. Will Verena's venom win out? And what about that city slicker?

---

Plot Keywords:

maid | judge | sheriff | loss of mother | sister sister relationship | 

---

Taglines:

Life's Best Adventures Are Journeys Of The Heart.

---

Genres:

Drama | Comedy

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild language and thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

Fine Line Features

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 October 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

A fűhárfa

Filming Locations:

Wetumpka, Alabama, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$117,161 (USA) (11 October 1996)

Gross:

$493,007 (USA) (29 November 1996)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Charles Matthau-Jerry Tokofsky-John Davis Productions, Fine Line Features, Grass Harp

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The seventh pairing out of ten movies of comic actors and great friends Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.

---

Quotes

Mrs. Peters: Shame on you Dolly Talbo, sittin up in that tree like a drunken Indian, smoking on cigarettes like a common... Floozy
Mrs. Buster: Floozy
Catherine Creek: Preacher lady don't you be callin Ms. Dolly here no floozy now, why I come down there and slap you bow-legged.

---

Connections

Referenced in Magic Time: A Tribute to Jack Lemmon (2002)

---

Soundtracks

"DON'T BE THAT WAY"
Written by Benny Goodman, Edgar M. Sampson, Mitchell Parish
Performed by Benny Goodman

User Reviews

A delightful movie.

A delightful movie from Truman Capote's memoir of his boyhood in the South. It is both tender and poignant. The acting is excellent. Piper Laurie as the orphan's free-spirited aunt is superb. Sissey Spacek as the other aunt is excellent. The atmosphere of that time, comes alive. A worthwhile movie for those with a tender heart.