Cross Creek (1983)

In 1930's Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings moves to Florida's backwaters to write in peace. She feels bothered by affectionate men, editor and confused neighbors, but soon she connects and writes The Yearling, a classic of American literature.

Director:

Martin Ritt

Writers:

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (book), Dalene Young (screenplay)

Stars:

Mary Steenburgen, Rip Torn, Peter Coyote

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mary Steenburgen	...	Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Rip Torn	...	Marsh Turner
Peter Coyote	...	Norton Baskin
Dana Hill	...	Ellie Turner
Alfre Woodard	...	Geechee
Joanna Miles	...	Mrs. Turner
Ike Eisenmann	...	Paul
Cary Guffey	...	Floyd Turner
Toni Hudson	...	Tim's Wife
Bo Rucker	...	Leroy
Jay O. Sanders	...	Charles Rawlings
John Hammond	...	Tim
Tommy Alford	...	Postal Clerk
Norton Baskin	...	Man in the Rocking Chair
Terrence Gehr	...	Store Keeper

Storyline

In 1930's Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings moves to Florida's backwaters to write in peace. She feels bothered by affectionate men, editor and confused neighbors, but soon she connects and writes The Yearling, a classic of American literature.

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Plot Keywords:

florida | swamp | writer | year 1928 | backwoods | 

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Taglines:

The true story about the woman who wrote "The Yearling"!

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Actress Mary Steenburgen in this movie is still [to date, February 2015] the only ever actress to portray writer Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings in screen and television.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings: [voiceover] My journey to maturity began in New York, in 1928. I was married to Charles Rawlings, the newspaper man and yachting enthusiast. I had been trying to write stories that I thought would be most likely to sell - gothic romances were extremely popular - and I had written dozens. I was desperate to express myself. Even as a child I'd been consumed with the desire to be a writer.

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Connections

Referenced in The Making of 'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial' (1996)

User Reviews

Fine film

'Cross Creek' (1983) The story of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and her life in the backwoods Florida town of Cross Creek after moving there from New York in the 1930's to continue her writing. I have been a visitor to her home in Cross Creek and even today the area looks like it probably did 60 years ago. Mary Steenburgen does a nice job as the independent, hard drinking Rawlings and Peter Coyote is fine as Norton Baskin, who eventually became her husband. Nicely photographed with a lovely musical score, 'Cross Creek'is a slow, easy going movie and the viewer will enjoy the people in Ms. Rawlings life, particularly the always steady Rip Torn and the late Dana Hill. An enjoyable experience.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 October 1983 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

Cross Creek

Filming Locations:

Alachua County, Florida, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$200,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Thorn EMI Screen Entertainment, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1