The Shopping Bag Lady (1976)

Set In Manhattan's Central Park, this film is the poignant story of a teenage girl's encounter with a homeless old woman (movingly portrayed by distinguished actress Mildred Dunnock) who ... See full summary »

Director:

Bert Salzman

Writer:

Bert Salzman

Stars:

Mildred Dunnock, Julie Wakefield, Holly Scott

Cast

Cast overview:
Mildred Dunnock	...	Annie (Shopping Bag Lady)
Julie Wakefield	...	Emily
Holly Scott	...	Lucy
Eleanor Phelps	...	Grandmother
Justine Miceli	...	Helen
William Bressant	...	Cop (as Bill Bressant)
Debbie Howard	...	Girl In School
Laura Whyte	...	Nurse (as Laura Wilcox Whyte)
Chip Carroll	...	Martin
Alice Beardsley	...	Woman In Park

Storyline

Set In Manhattan's Central Park, this film is the poignant story of a teenage girl's encounter with a homeless old woman (movingly portrayed by distinguished actress Mildred Dunnock) who carries all her belongings around in shopping bags. This encounter eventually leads to the girl's understanding of the problems of aging and the dignity of all individuals, regardless of their place in society.

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Plot Keywords:

park | manhattan new york city | new york city | homelessness | central park manhattan new york city | 

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Genres:

Short | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 February 1976 (USA)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Learning Corporation of America

Technical Specs

Runtime:

25 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Edited into CBS Children's Film Festival: Shopping Bag Lady (1976)

User Reviews

Excellent for teaching empathy

This film is timeless in its attempt to help young people as well as people of all ages to empathize with people who are at the senior citizen stage. Through the eyes of a young girl, the viewer sees the shopping bag lady as a real person, someone who was young once and had a real life. Its simplicity and delicate handling of the subject make it a superior film for teachers to show. (If they complain about b&w, just tell them, "no film"...it worked for me! Jr. High Teacher