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?

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Taglines:

Life's Best Adventures Are Journeys Of The Heart.

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Genres:

Drama | Comedy

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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

Final filmed screenplay written by Stirling Silliphant.

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Quotes

Tommy DeVito: [after Henry, Jimmy, and Tommy beat Billy Bates they start placing him on a couple of table cloths. Tommy turns to Henry] I didn't wanna get blood on your floor.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Remembers Walter Matthau (2001)

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Soundtracks

"SOMEBODY STOLE MY GAL"
Written by Leo Wood
Performed by Benny Goodman

User Reviews

Superb gentle story

Directed by Walter Mathau's son Walter, this is a superb adaptation of on one of Truman Capote's best stories about how Southern misfits in the 1930's help each other survive. Both Piper Laurie and Sissy Spacek, as the wealthy Talbo sisters, are perfectly cast and neither has ever been better. Walther Mathau, under his son's direction, in his most sympathetic roles, plays a retired judge. Every member of the spectacular cast is completely understandable: Jack Lemon and Mary Steenburgen are a pair of hilarious but unrelated con-artists. Nell Carter is the Talbo sister's very feisty cook, Joe Don Baker is the bumbling sheriff, Charles During the preacher, and Roddy McDowall is the gossipy barber. Look for Doris Roberts (Ray Romano's 'mom') as Mrs. Richards and for the director himself, Charles Mathau, as a barbershop regular.