The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman is an American television film based on the novel of the same name by Ernest J. Gaines starring Cicely Tyson as the titular heroine. The film was broadcast on CBS on Thursday, January 31, 1974.
Directed by John Korty, the screenplay was written by Tracy Keenan Wynn and executive produced by Roger Gimbel. It stars Cicely Tyson in the lead role, as well as Michael Murphy, Richard Dysart, Katherine Helmond, and Odetta. The film was shot in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and was notable for its use of very realistic special effects makeup by Stan Winston and Rick Baker for the lead character, who is shown from ages 23 to 110. The film is distributed through Classic Media.
Contents
Synopsis
February 1962 Civil Rights Movement. Jane (played by Cicely Tyson), a former slave, is celebrating her 110th birthday. Two men tell her that a little girl is going to a segregated water fountain; she gets arrested because she is black. The next day Jane is interviewed by a journalist named Quentin Lerner (played by Michael Murphy) and she tells the story of her life. The climax of the story shows Jane going to the water fountain to desegregate it; her lifespan has bridged the time of slavery and the Civil Rights Movement.
Cast
Cicely Tyson as Jane Pittman
Richard Dysart as Master Bryant
Odetta as Big Laura
Michael Murphy as Quentin Lerner
Rod Perry as Joe Pittman
Arnold Wilkerson as Jimmy
Will Hare as Albert Cluveau
Katherine Helmond as Lady at House
Thalmus Rasulala as Ned Douglas
Barbara Chaney as Amma Dean
Valerie Odell as Ticey (young Jane Pittman)
Beatrice Winde as Lena
Awards
Directors Guild of America Award
Nine Emmy Awards
Actress of the Year (Cicely Tyson)
Best Directing in Drama - A Single Program - Comedy or Drama
Best Lead Actress in a Drama (Cicely Tyson)
Best Music Composition - for a Special Program (Fred Karlin)
Best Writing in Drama - Adaptation (Tracy Keenan Wynn)
Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design (Bruce Walkup and Sandra Stewart)
Outstanding Achievement in Makeup (Stan Winston and Rick Baker)
Outstanding Special - Comedy or Drama (Robert Christiansen and Rick Rosenberg)
Outstanding Achievement in Any Area of Creative Technical Crafts (Lynda Gurasich, hairstylist)
Nominated for a BAFTA award
Best Actress (Cicely Tyson)