The Miracle Worker
1962  NR  DRAMA  1h 46min
CAST— Anne Bancroft, Patty Duke, Victor Jory, Inga Swenson, Andrew Prine, Beah Richards, Kathleen Comegys
MUSIC— Laurence Rosenthal  DIRECTOR— Arthur Penn  BASED ON— True events

     Do you have this kind of patience? Anne Bancroft plays the title character, a newly appointed teacher for young Patty Duke, who plays Helen Keller, deaf, blind and mute since infancy. She’s now a wild child with a raging temper, frustrated at her inability to communicate, yet never receiving discipline for her barbaric actions. It’s now up to Bancroft to try and teach Duke the ways of the world: communication, cleanliness, anger management. But Duke has a strong will; Bancroft must use every ounce of determination she has if she is to break through Duke’s shell. Inspired performances add depth to this stirring drama. Though dealing with delicate subject matter you can expect to be entertained throughout, as various scenes provide generous doses of humor as two powerful personalities clash. Oscar-winner for Best Actress (Bancroft), Best Supporting Actress (Duke).
OUR RATING— ***
REMADE AS— The Miracle Worker (1979/2000)