The Migrants

The Migrants
Film poster
Written by	Lanford Wilson
Story by	Tennessee Williams
Directed by	Tom Gries
Starring	Cloris Leachman Ron Howard Sissy Spacek
Composer	Billy Goldenberg
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Producer	Tom Gries
Cinematography	Richard C. Kratina
Editor	Bud S. Isaacs
Running time	90 minutes
Production company	CBS Television Network
Original release
Network	CBS
Release	February 3, 1974 (1974-02-03)

The Migrants is a 1974 American drama television film directed and produced by Tom Gries and written by Lanford Wilson, based on a story by Tennessee Williams. The film stars Cloris Leachman, Ron Howard, and Sissy Spacek. It received for six Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Special – Comedy or Drama and Best Lead Actress in a Drama for Leachman.

Synopsis

A family of migratory farm workers travels the country performing seasonal work.

Cast

• Cloris Leachman as Viola Barlow
• Ron Howard as Lyle Barlow
• Sissy Spacek as Wanda Trimpin
• Cindy Williams as Betty
• Ed Lauter as Mr. Barlow
• Lisa Lucas as Molly Barlow
• Mills Watson as Hec Campbell
• David Clennon as Tom Trimpin
• Dinah Englund as Billie Jean Barlow
• Brad Sullivan as Johnson
• Leon Russom as Doctor
• Claudia McNeil as Rose Daw
• Tom Rosqui as Father
• Dolph Sweet as Sheriff
• Mari Gorman as Miss Travers
• Wally Parnell as First Overseer
• George Castellini as Second Overseer
• Henry Newman as Beard
• Richard DeFeo as Diaz
• Rudolph Tillman as Mr. Daw
• Joseph Brady as Minister
• Bill Pope as Billy Dan
• Sol Weiner as Sheriff's Deputy
• Kathleen Garrison as Baby
• Suzanne Garrison as Baby #2

Production

Filming took place in Vineland, New Jersey. ^[1]

Reception

New York Times reviewer Cyclops criticized the fact that many of the usual Tennessee Williams elements were missing. ^[2] Howard Rosenberg of the Los Angeles Times , however, placed the movie on his list of the 30 best TV movies. ^[3]

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Nominee	Result
1974	26th Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Special – Comedy or Drama	Tom Gries	Nominated
		Best Lead Actress in a Drama	Cloris Leachman	Nominated
		Best Directing in Drama – Single Program – Comedy or Drama	Tom Gries	Nominated
		Best Writing in Drama – Original Teleplay	Lanford Wilson	Nominated
		Best Music Composition – For a Special Program	Billy Goldenberg	Nominated
		Best Cinematography for Entertainment Programming – For a Special or Feature Length Program Made for Television	Richard C. Kratina	Nominated

References

1. "The Migrants (TV Movie 1974)" – via www.imdb.com.
2. Cyclops (February 3, 1974). "The World of the Joads Is Still With Us". The New York Times– via www.nytimes.com.
3. ROSENBERG, HOWARD (April 23, 1989). "THE CRITICAL VIEW : 30 of the Best From an Uneven Collection" – via LA Times.

External links

• The Migrants at IMDb