WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY, THE: MIRACLE WORKER, THE (TV)
Summary
One of this series of Disney movies presented under the umbrella title "The Wonderful World of Disney." This made-for-television production is a remake of William Gibson's play about Anne Sullivan and her work with Helen Keller. This program begins as six-year-old Helen struggles with life on her family's plantation, Ivy Green, in Tuscumbia, Alabama. After watching Helen tussle with some of the servants, Helen's half-brother James tells his father, Captain Arthur Keller, that he is sure his blind, deaf, and mute sister will one day kill somebody. Outraged by the goings-on, James tells the family that Helen is the de facto head of their household. Trying to smooth over James's latest skirmish with his father, Aunt Evelyn states that Katherine, Helen's mother, should think about sending the girl away. Captain Keller thinks they all need to accept that Helen will never be cured. However, he agrees to Kate's suggestion to write to another doctor who has helped children similar to Helen. The letter ends up being referred to the Perkins Institute for the Blind. There, Anne Sullivan, one of the school's best students whose whose own eyes are sensitive after nine operations, is ordered to be Helen's governess. Anne is not pleased with her assignment. Arriving via train, Anne is greeted by Kate and James. Kate questions Anne on how much a deaf and blind child can learn. Anne thinks that Helen can be taught sign language. Soon, meeting with Helen, Anne immediately tries to communicate with her. Captain Keller finds Anne somewhat rude and is a bit confused to learn that Anne was once almost blind. Anne is determined to get the wild Helen to learn how to sign some words. Helen refuses to follow Anne's commands and quickly strikes the woman, then locks her in her second-floor room. After being "rescued" by James and Captain Keller, Anne quickly realizes that Helen must be bright to behave the way she does.
Afterward, Anne becomes determined to tame and teach Helen. As if in response, Helen throws a pitcher at the wall. Later, Anne tells Kate that Helen is not only angry but smart and capable of spelling. At breakfast the next morning, Anne observes how Helen is allowed to take food from everyone's plates. Anne tries to restrain Helen but Captain Keller insists that she be free to move around. When Anne won't give in, Helen has a tantrum. Anne insists that Helen doesn't need pity but rather needs to be controlled. Anne remains alone with Helen, angering Captain Keller who thinks his house has become "a circus." Captain Keller wants to dismiss Anne but Kate thinks she should stay. With great determination, Anne tries to get Helen to remain docile and eat her food, but Helen continues to throw dinnerware. By noon, after a physically grueling session, Anne finally releases Helen from the locked room after she eats with a spoon by herself. Kate is impressed by Anne's tactics, refusing to fire her. However, Helen can't stand to be near Anne anymore. Anne claims that Captain Keller's love and pity for Helen has caused her the greatest problems. Anne wants to set up shop in the garden house. There, with complete control of Helen day and night, Anne can ensure that Helen must depend on her for everything. Captain Keller begrudgingly gives Anne two weeks to prove she can begin teaching Helen. Captain Keller and Kate ride through the country with Helen for two hours before bringing her back to the garden house -- thus making her think she is in a locale far away from home. Once Anne and Helen are alone, Helen begins acting up as usual.
That night, with servant Percy's help, Annie tries to feed Helen, forcing her to spell "cake" before eating it. Meanwhile, Kate and Captain Keller discuss how quiet their lives are without Helen in the house. Anne finds herself reflecting back on her own growing-up days in an asylum with her brother Jimmie, who died. Soon, Helen begins trusting Anne, and allowing herself to be led around the grounds by Anne. In just a week and a half, Anne has taught Helen to behave in a civil manner. Anne begs Kate to give her more time alone with Helen, realizing that Helen has yet to connect the spelling of a word with the actual object. Kate refuses to let Anne exceed the two-week period. One day, Captain Keller inspects the crop output with James and field hand Francis. Captain Keller is impressed by the large yield of tobacco. The exchange causes a detente with James, who admits to being unhappy and needing some attention. Meanwhile, Anne continues teaching Helen about the wonders of the world and how to spell them with her hands. After two weeks, Captain Keller anxiously awaits Helen's return, bringing a dog for the girl. Anne demands that Captain Keller give her another week to teach Helen, lest she regress. Captain Keller refuses to grant Anne's wish, angering the teacher. Anne is also upset at her inability to fully reach Helen. When Helen is finally taken back, Anne sits alone, again recalling the death of young Jimmie. Afterward, James comes to escort Anne back to the house, noticing that she is feeling sorry for herself. James further reveals that Captain Keller has great respect for her. Anne offers advice on how he should deal with his father.
Meanwhile, Aunt Ev arrives at the Keller home, surprised by how well behaved Helen has become. Anne insists that Captain Keller not undo what she has already accomplished. At her first dinner back home, Helen immediately begins misbehaving and testing her new situation. Kate tries to indulge Helen, but Captain Keller stands behind Anne's treatment. However, Captain Keller then backtracks and decides to make some "allowances." letting Helen behave how she wishes, much to Anne's frustration. It is James that is forced to convince the rest of the Kellers to give Anne carte blanche to do what she wants with Helen. Anne marches Helen outside to refill a water pitcher, the contents of which she threw at Anne. As Helen pumps the water, she finally grasps the concept of an object and its corresponding word. She even starts to mouth the word for "water." Anne excitedly calls for the Kellers, who are overjoyed to see Helen's progress. After teaching Helen the word for "teacher," the girl kisses Anne. In turn, Anne admits that she loves her. Graphics detail what occurred during the rest of Anne and Helen's lives. Includes commercials.
(Network varies; this series was also telecast on NBC from 1961 to 1981 and on CBS from 1981 to 1983.)
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: November 12, 2000 Sunday 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:54:57
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:62304
- GENRE: Drama, historical
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, historical; Handicapped children - Drama; Biography
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1997-2008
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - "102 Dalmatians" motion picture
- TV - Commercials - "Fantasia 2000" home video
- TV - Commercials - 7Up soft drinks
- TV - Commercials - American Foundation for the Blind
- TV - Commercials - Barbie dolls
- TV - Commercials - Black & Decker tools
- TV - Commercials - Cotton: "The Fabric of our Lives"
- TV - Commercials - Energizer batteries
- TV - Commercials - Etoys.com online shopping
- TV - Commercials - Ford automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Gateway computers
- TV - Commercials - Honey Nut Cheerios cereal
- TV - Commercials - Huggies diapers
- TV - Commercials - Hunt's tomatoes
- TV - Commercials - K-Mart stores
- TV - Commercials - Little Debbie snack cakes
- TV - Commercials - McDonald's restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Milton Bradley, Parker Brothers board games
- TV - Commercials - Minute Maid orange juice
- TV - Commercials - Mitsubishi automobiles
- TV - Commercials - National Football League
- TV - Commercials - Neutrogena skin cleanser
- TV - Commercials - Office of National Drug Control Policy Partnership for a Drug-Free America
- TV - Commercials - Parkay butter substitute
- TV - Commercials - Pizza Hut restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Pizzazz pizza oven
- TV - Commercials - Post Grape Nuts cereal
- TV - Commercials - Post Honey Nut Shredded Wheat cereals
- TV - Commercials - Radio Shack stores
- TV - Commercials - Reddi Wip whipped topping
- TV - Commercials - Riesen chocolates
- TV - Commercials - Sara Lee snack cakes
- TV - Commercials - Sears stores
- TV - Commercials - Target stores
- TV - Commercials - Terry's Chocolate Raspberry
- TV - Commercials - Toyota automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Trident gum
- TV - Commercials - Wal-Mart stores
- TV - Commercials - Wheat Thins crackers
- TV - Commercials - www.playmusic.org
- TV - Promos - "One Saturday Morning: Buzz Lightyear of Star Command"
- TV - Promos - "One Saturday Morning: Teacher's Pet"
- TV - Promos - "The Beatles Revolution"
- TV - Promos - "The Practice"
- TV - Promos - "The Wonderful World of Disney: Santa Who?"
- TV - Promos - "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Celebrity Edition"
CREDITS
- Charles Hirschhorn … Executive Producer
- Peter M. Green … Executive Producer
- Suzy Beugen-Bishop … Producer
- Nadia Tess … Director
- Monte Merrick … Writer
- William Gibson … Based on the play by
- William Goldstein … Music by
- Alison Elliot … Cast, Anne Sullivan
- Hallie Kate Eisenberg … Cast, Helen Keller
- Lucas Black … Cast, James Keller
- Kate Greenhouse … Cast, Kate Keller
- David Strathairn … Cast, Captain Arthur Keller
- Damir Andrei … Cast, Dr. Anapaes
- Stewart Arnott … Cast, Farm Boss
- Kevin Duhaney … Cast, Percy
- Neville Edwards … Cast, Henry
- Patricia Gage … Cast, Aunt Ev
- Eugene Lipinski … Cast, Proctor
- Twila Provencher … Cast, Young Annie
- Jackie Richardson … Cast, Vincy
- Liam Robinson … Cast, Jimmie
- Stephanie Sams … Cast, Martha
- Andrew Prine … Cast, Francis