The Miracle Worker
US (1962): Drama
Based on William Gibson's Broadway play and retaining its acclaimed cast, Arthur Penn's The Miracle Worker tells the true story of Helen Keller (Patty Duke), an Alabama girl struck blind and deaf as a baby after an elevated fever. Enter Annie Sullivan (Anne Bancroft), a partially-blind woman assigned the task of teaching Helen sign language. After first separating Helen from her over-protective parents (Victor Jory and Inga Swenson), Annie begins the arduous process of teaching the girl the basics of language; after an exhausting two-week period, Helen is able to dress herself and knows the alphabet. She cannot, however, connect the letters with the concept of language itself; the alphabet is merely an abstract concept until one night when Helen knocks over a pitcher of water at dinner. After a frustrated Annie drags the girl outside to refill the pitcher, somehow a breakthrough is made when Helen gets herself wet and, with sign language, "speaks" the word for water. (Playfilm/U-A) (Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide) The play has been remade twice for television: In 1979, with Patty Duke (playing Anne Sullivan this time) and Melissa Gilbert, and again in 2000, with Alison Elliott and Hallie Kate.
5 nominations, 2 Awards
· Actress 1962: Anne Bancroft
· Supporting Actress 1962: Patty Duke
· Directing 1962: Arthur Penn
· Writing (Screenplay based on material from another medium) 1962: William Gibson
· Costume Design (Black and White) 1962: Ruth Morley