The Migrants

1974 television film by Tom Gries

Cloris Leachman
Ron Howard
Sissy Spacek

ComposerBilly GoldenbergCountry of originUnited StatesOriginal languageEnglishProductionProducerTom GriesCinematographyRichard C. KratinaEditorBud S. IsaacsRunning time90 minutesProduction companyCBS Television NetworkOriginal releaseNetworkCBSReleaseFebruary 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

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

External links

The Migrants at IMDb
The Migrants at AllMovie

Films directed by Tom Gries

Serpent Island (1954)
Hell's Horizon (1955)
Girl in the Woods (1958)
Mustang! (1959)
Will Penny (1968)
100 Rifles (1969)
Number One (1969)
The Hawaiians (1970)
Fools (1970)
Earth II (1971)
The Glass House (1972)
Journey Through Rosebud (1972)
The Connection (1973)
Call to Danger (1973)
Lady Ice (1973)
The Migrants (1974)
QB VII (1974)
The Healers (1974)
Breakout (1975)
Breakheart Pass (1975)
Helter Skelter (1976)
The Greatest (1977)

v t e Works by Lanford Wilson
Home Free! (1964) The Madness of Lady Bright (1964) Balm in Gilead (1965) Ludlow Fair (1965) Wandering (1966) The Rimers of Eldritch (1967) The Gingham Dog (1968) Lemon Sky (1970) Serenading Louie (1970) The Great Nebula in Orion (1971) Ikke, Ikke, Nye, Nye, Nye (1972) The Family Continues (1972) The Hot l Baltimore (1973) The Mound Builders (1975) Brontosaurus (1977) Fifth of July (1978) Talley's Folly (1979) A Tale Told (1981, revised as Talley & Son) Angels Fall (1982) Burn This (1986) Redwood Curtain (1992) A Sense of Place (1996) Sympathetic Magic (1998) Book of Days (2000) Rain Dance (2002)

Works by Lanford Wilson