The original 110-minute TV movie of The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman was based on a novel by Ernest J. Gaines. I saw it when it first came out in 1973 and never forgot it.
The story starts out in February of 1962 on a classic southern plantation. In a set of ramshackle old cabins called the “quarters,” a simple gathering is taking place to celebrate the 110th birthday of an ex-slave named Miss Jane Pittman. In the middle of the party, her best friend Lena’s teenaged son Jimmy interrupts and asks Miss Jane to help with a civil rights protest down at the local courthouse. Jimmy and his friends plan to drink from the “White Only” drinking fountain.
Miss Jane, in her wisdom, refuses, saying she’s too old for such nonsense, but after some serious and wise discussion, proclaims that she’ll wait for God to give her a sign. Jimmy can’t wait for her sign, and recruits a young black girl instead, knowing that any male black would be killed on the spot for even trying to get near that fountain. They are met by the sheriff and four officers armed with rifles and billy clubs. Jimmy is brutally beaten along with his friends and put in jail, but mysteriously, no one can get in to visit him.
Meanwhile a young white reporter from New York, stirred and inspired by the civil rights movement, decides to do a feature article on Miss Jane. He wants to know what it was like to be a slave and what starts out as an impersonal interview becomes a labor of love for reporter and subject. Astonished at how clear her memory is, he decides to explore every aspect of slavery and its aftermath, not only the facts but the emotions as well. In the process, he comes to love her like his own grandmother, and she him as a cherished son.
Her story begins as a nine-year-old slave girl named Ticey watches a tired and weary band of rebel soldiers show up at her Louisiana plantation to beg for water. With care and sympathy, she helps them, but no sooner have they arrived than they have to flee when the conquering Yankees arrive, who are also greeted with the same hospitality.
Article comments
1 - Purple Tigress
Lovely review of a movie that I remember and dearly love. Thank you.
2 - Jet in Columbus
Thank you Purple, I'm glad you enjoyed it, as much as I enjoyed watching it again. It's a cherished member of my movie collection.
3 - Jet in Columbus
P.S. It was more a labor of love on my part as I don't think many people remember the movie...
4 - Michael J. West
Agreed. Quite lovely.
5 - Jet in Columbus
Thank you Mike. Much appreciated. Fluff I get tons of response and critisism, but works of love like this go unnoticed.
Again, thanks
6 - Jet in Columbus
Can Purple, Mike and I be the only ones who remember this movie?
7 - Rebecca
I absolutely love this movie! The story needed to be told and Cicely Tyson is a top-flight actress. Nicely done.
8 - Jet in Columbus
Ultimately it proves that you don't have to have car chases and things exploding to have a good film. Thanks for your words Rebecca...
Jet
9 - Jet in Columbus
ArchBingBat asked if the only thing I write about has to do with sexual orientation, Hmmmmmmmm?
10 - duane
Another hysterical fit?
Jet, please stop clogging up the Fresh Comments board.
11 - Jet in Columbus
Ahhh Duane don't be bitter, I just proved him wrong, is that what you thought too-poor thing.
Read this article you might like it!
12 - duane
I wasn't bitter. I just don't like to see public meltdowns. I hope you've recovered, you poor thing you. Someone said something that hurt your feelings. O cruel world.
13 - Jet in Columbus
I was challenged that the only thing I write about is gay shit, I rather conconclusively proved him wrong.
Now did you see the Autobiography of Miss Jane Pitmen, it was an excelent movie and is available above, just click on the link next to the article.
It's a wonderful story and not a fairy or lesbo in sight!
14 - tisha
i cant find much about when she was orn and what day how much she wayed all that stuff i dont need to know much about the books..
15 - Jet in Columbus
Dear Tisha, Thank your for your interest in this movie, but unfortunately the character if fictious.
According to the story line I'd say she was born in the late 1850s.
this DVD is almost certainly available at any public library and I definately recommend seeing it if you'd like to know about what it was like to grow up black in the south during and after the Civil War.
Jet