A Christmas Memory

The late Geraldine Page is simply wonderful in this film, made by Frank and Eleanor Perry for ABC TV in 1966. (Sadly, the boy who plays young Truman isn't very good.) But it's a pity this version, which Capote narrates, has been buried or driven off the market by the regrettable, badly written, late 1990s remake with Patty Duke. I haven't seen this adaptation, which was also theatrically released in "Trilogy" with other Capote stories, on television since the mid 80s. Thankfully, it was still on local TV stations at Christmas time then (though in sadly battered prints), and I was able to record it for future years. No Christmas Eve is complete without a showing. It never fails to bring smiles and tears.

How typical of our crass, brash world that this quiet, enchanting film is all but forgotten. The Christmas Memory referred to is Truman Capote's own backward glance at a depression-era Christmas in small-town America. Based on his short story of the same name, Capote's holiday memory has been filmed twice but for many of us, this 1966 version is the classic, indispensable telling of the tale. Sparely told-it runs under an hour--the effect is entirely un-Hollywood, instead it feels charmingly handmade, and homespun. Sadly, this version is all but forgotten except by the fervent few. Sadder still, it's impossible to even find a copy for purchase except for the poor black and white print roaming around the internet.

Still, when you've played through Alistair Sim's Christmas Carol, Jimmy Stewart's It's A Wonderful LIfe, and all the other holiday perennials and you long for something a little gentler, where the baking of fruit cakes and the choosing of a Christmas tree are not incidental but climactic events, this tender-hearted film is waiting for you. Exquisite performing led by the incomparable Geraldine Page, sensitive direction by Frank Perry, with a heart-tugging score by composer, Meyer Kupferman. Truly in this era when Capote has been rediscovered a resurrection of this little holiday confection would be most welcome. Help us out ABC if you're the entity to help! And what other ABC Stage 67 treasures may be mouldering away in some vault? Best wishes, Peter

As good as everyone says! Beautiful-poignant-a Gem. It is so true that this should be shown again and again during Holiday time--so that the general public can treasure it's beautiful, heartfelt simplicity--its charm, its delight at life. Frank and Eleanor Perry had directed some other gems right around this time--"David and Lisa" and "Last Summer" very different--but with a way at looking so very close to the characters, going to the very core of their beings--examining their hurts, their yearnings. The fragile/strong Sook and the fragile/strong childhood Capote are joined at the hip--they are portrayed with loving detail by the great Geraldine Page and a youngster named Donnie Melvin. This almost seems to anticipate "Harold and Maude" where there are equal amounts of knowing laughter, profound statements said off the cuff by Sook and Maude, which resonate so deeply, tenderness, and heartbreaking sadness as life and inevitability, the march of time and the inexorable presence of death announcing that "all good things must come to an end". But in dreams and memories, those good things live on--and this long-forgotten masterpiece deserves to be one of those. The music score is by Meyer Kupferman, who I actually had the great pleasure of knowing. He was a great bear of a man, a respected contemporary composer, clarinetist and teacher. I only found out that he wrote the beautiful, colorful film score while recently watching a DVD I purchased from Amazon. (Expensive--probably because it is so rare--but worth its weight in gold). Now I so wish I had known that he was the composer of this lovely, touching film score--I wish I could have talked to Mr. Kupferman about his experience writing this gorgeous score! But instead, like this fragile film of a brief, treasured Christmas Memory, it will remain an elusive dream. The people die, life moves on--but the art, the magic, the memory lives on.

A Christmas Memory and the companion film The Thanksgiving Visitor, both starring Geraldine Page, are two films which should be seen by every family during the holidays. The story of a young boy who spends Christmas with his aunts in the rural south during the depression is a warm and touching story. Unable to afford to buy Christmas presents for each other, Sook and Buddy make each other a present, which ends the film in a wonderful surprise. It is too bad that this is unavailable for the public to view for both films should be a staple for the holidays much as It's A Wonderful Life. Geraldine Page gives a touching and loving performance. The Direction, performance, Photography, locations, Production Design, are first rate.

This short TV play, with the incredible Geraldine Page as Sook, the somewhat daffy and naive cousin of Buddy (Capote as a boy), and narrated by Capote himself (not in his sweet and obnoxious voice), used to appear on television every Christmas season. Alas, no longer. Have we outgrown innocence? It's the story of two delightful people living in a house with two stiff necked aunts who can't stand their play, dancing and general enjoyment of life.

Every year, Sook searches out pecans, fallen from local orchards, to make her fruitcakes which are the only gift she can afford to give for Christmas. And give she does, to everyone she knows, people she admires but doesn't know, including the President. She and Buddy must save their pennies all year to afford the flour and sugar, dried fruit and most importantly the rum for the cake.

I would go on, but it is best for you to discover this gem. Don't take the later version with Patty Duke to be superior or even the equal of this one. No one will ever be able to touch Page's performance; she owns "Sook" forever.

This treasure needs to be released on DVD, with other Capote plays that starred Page.