Research Catalog

Title

Words by heart [videorecording] / PBS ; produced by Martin Tahse.

Publication

Chicago : Public Media Video, 1985.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Thompson, Robert
• Sebestyen, Ouida

Description

1 videocassette (116 min.) : sd., col.; 1/2 in.

Summary

In this drama set at the turn of the century, the commandment "love thy neighbor" is tested in the face of community prejudice. 12-year-old Lena Sills and her family are the only blacks living in the small town of Bethel Springs, Missouri. Lena distinguishes herself among Bethel's youth by reciting the most Bible verses in a town-sponsored competition. Lena's accomplishment, however, arouses the envy of some residents and frightening signs are left to inform the Sills that they are not welcome. Lena's stepmother Claudie wishes to return to the South but Lena's father Ben is intent on staying and building a better life for them. Both Lena and her father find jobs with an eccentric but wealthy widow, Mary Chism, angering the woman's former hired hands Mr. Haney and his son Tater. Tragedy occurs when Ben is sent to erect fences in a remote section of Mrs. Chism's property and is fatally shot by Tater. Worried by his long absence, Lena finds her father as he lay dying. He makes her promise not to reveal the name of his murderer, thus bequeathing to his daughter an important lesson of forgiveness, faith and love.

Series Statement

(WonderWorks)

Uniform Title

WonderWorks (Television program)

Subject

• African Americans > Fiction
• Prejudices > Fiction
• Video recordings for the hearing impaired
• Fathers and daughters > Fiction

Genre/Form

• Children's films.
• Feature films.

Note

• Closed captioned for the hearing impaired.
• Based on the book by Ouida Sebestyen.

Credits (note)

• Director, Robert Thompson; teleplay, Frank Dandridge; director of photography, Robert Eberlein; editor, Paul Bonnette.

Performer (note)

• Fran Robinson, Robert Hooks, Alfre Woodard, Charlotte Rae.

Title

Words by heart [videorecording] / PBS ; produced by Martin Tahse.

Imprint

Chicago : Public Media Video, 1985.

Series

(WonderWorks)

Credits

Director, Robert Thompson; teleplay, Frank Dandridge; director of photography, Robert Eberlein; editor, Paul Bonnette.

Cast

Fran Robinson, Robert Hooks, Alfre Woodard, Charlotte Rae.

Connect to:

Request Access to Reserve Film and Video Collection Special Collections material

Added Author

Thompson, Robert.

Sebestyen, Ouida. Words by heart.

Added Title

WonderWorks (Television program)

Branch Call Number

J VTH 2325 W