The Miracle Worker (1979 film)

The Miracle Worker is a 1979 American made-for-television biographical film based on the 1959 play of the same title by William Gibson, which originated as a 1957 broadcast of the television anthology series Playhouse 90. Gibson's original source material was The Story of My Life, the 1903 autobiography of Helen Keller. The play was adapted for the screen before, in 1962.

The Miracle Worker
GenreDrama
Based onThe Miracle Worker
by William Gibson
Screenplay byWilliam Gibson
Directed byPaul Aaron
StarringMelissa Gilbert
Patty Duke
Charles Siebert
Stanley Wells
Diana Muldaur
Music byBilly Goldenberg
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersSandy Gallin
Raymond Katz
ProducersFred Coe
Barbara Abeles Cowan (associate producer)
Alan David (assistant producer)
CinematographyTed Voigtlander
EditorGerald Lee Taylor
Running time98 minutes
Production companyHalf-Pint Productions
DistributorNBC
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseOctober 14, 1979 (1979-10-14)

The film is based on the life of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan's struggles to teaching her. It starred Patty Duke (who played Helen Keller in the original 1962 film, for which she won the Oscar) as Annie Sullivan and Melissa Gilbert as Helen Keller. It produced a TV sequel, Helen Keller: The Miracle Continues in 1984.

Plot

Young Helen Keller (Melissa Gilbert), blind, deaf, and mute since infancy, is in danger of being sent to an institution. Her inability to communicate has left her frustrated and violent. In desperation, her parents seek help from the Perkins Institute, which sends them a "half-blind Yankee schoolgirl" named Annie Sullivan (Patty Duke) to tutor their daughter. Through persistence and love, and sheer stubbornness, Annie breaks through Helen's walls of silence and darkness and teaches her to communicate.

Cast

Production

Melissa Gilbert heavily campaigned Meredith Baxter to play the role of Anne Sullivan.

British actress, Lynne Frederick, had expressed interest playing Anne Sullivan. Despite Frederick’s lengthy and accomplished body of work, the producers deemed her to be a bit too young and beautiful for the part.

Patty Duke, who played Anne Sullivan, previously played the role of Helen Keller in the 1962 movie of the same title.

Awards and nominations
Main article: List of accolades received by The Miracle Worker
Award Category Nominee(s) Result
American Cinema Editors Awards Best Edited Television Special Gerald Lee Taylor Nominated
Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Specials/Movies for TV/Actuality Paul Aaron Nominated
Golden Globe Awards Best Motion Picture – Made for Television The Miracle Worker Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Drama or Comedy Special Raymond Katz, Sandy Gallin and Fred Coe Won
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special Patty Duke Won
Melissa Gilbert Nominated
Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited Series or a Special Ted Voigtlander Nominated
Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling Larry Germain and Donna Barrett Gilbert Won

See also
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