A quintessential American heroine, Eliza Birdwell is a wonderful blend of would-be austerity, practicality, and gentle humor when it comes to keeping her faith and caring for her family and community. Her husband, Jess, shares Eliza's love of people and peaceful ways but, unlike Eliza, also displays a fondness for a fast horse and a lively tune. With their children, they must negotiate their way through a world that constantly confronts them-sometimes with candor, sometimes with violence-and tests the strength of their beliefs. Whether it's a gift parcel arriving on their doorstep or Confederate soldiers approaching their land, the Birdwells embrace life with emotion, conviction, and a love for one another that seems to conquer all.
The Friendly Persuasion has charmed generations of readers as one of our classic tales of the American Midwest.
Release Date: November 25, 1956
Release Time: 137 minutes
Director: William Wyler
Cast:
Gary Cooper as Jess Birdwell
Dorothy McGuire as Eliza Birdwell
Anthony Perkins as Joshua "Josh" Birdwell
Marjorie Main as the widow Hudspeth
Richard Eyer as Little Jess Birdwell
Robert Middleton as Sam Jordan
Phyllis Love as Martha True "Mattie" Birdwell
Peter Mark Richman as Gardner "Gard" Jordan (credited as Mark Richman)
Walter Catlett as Professor Quigley
Richard Hale as Purdy
Joel Fluellen as Enoch
Theodore Newton as Major Harvey
John Smith as Caleb Cope
Edna Skinner as Opal Hudspeth
Marjorie Durant as Pearl Hudspeth
Frances Farwell as Ruby Hudspeth
Tom London as Farmer on Front Line with Gard (uncredited)
James Dobson as Rebel soldier (uncredited)
Awards:
29th Academy Awards - March 27, 1957
Best Motion Picture - William Wyler - Nominated
Best Director - William Wyler - Nominated
Best Supporting Actor - Anthony Perkins - Nominated
Best Screenplay – Adapted - Michael Wilson - Nominated
Best Song - "Friendly Persuasion (Thee I Love)" Music by Dimitri Tiomkin & Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster - Nominated
Best Sound Recording - Gordon R. Glennan and Gordon E. Sawyer - Nominated
14th Golden Globes - February 28, 1957
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama - Gary Cooper - Nominated
Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture - Marjorie Main - Nominated
Most Promising Newcomer – Male - Anthony Perkins - Won
Best Film Promoting International Understanding - Nominated
Jessamyn West (1902-1984) was born in Indiana to Quaker parents and lived most of her life in California. Her work has appeared in Harper's, Mademoiselle, Kenyon Review, the New Yorker, and Redbook, among others. Her other books include The State of Stony Lonesome, Massacre at Fall Creek, and The Collected Stories of Jessamyn West.
B&N / HARPER COLLINS / WIKI
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