The Story Lady (1991 TV Movie) User Reviews

there's still time

[SteveSkafte · 6/10 · 22 April 2010]

The moral of "The Story Lady" is something along the lines of the dangers associated with commercialization. Which makes it ironic, in a way, that the story arc of the film itself makes very nearly the same mistakes it warns against. The most powerful passages of this film revolve around the first scenes of Grace McQueen (Jessica Tandy) at the public access cable studio. Tandy has by far the superior acting capability to carry a film based solely on this premise. Somewhat unfortunately, then, does Robert Zeschin's script take a much more unnecessarily complex route.

But such are the dangers of low-ambition TV movies. Jessica Tandy is this film. She is the reason it exists, and why it is so much worth watching. Everything else (save for a wonderful performance from young Lisa Jakub) is par for the course. In spite of that, there's no reason not to like, even love "The Story Lady". Tandy creates a character of wondrous depth and reality. There's nothing remotely false or off about her performance. I very much encourage you to see this film.

A Gem You Might Have Missed...

[Isaac5855 · 7/10 · 16 October 2007]

THE STORY LADY was a delightful Holiday TV movie that starred late Oscar winner Jessica Tandy as a senior citizen who wants to stay active and starts her own public access cable TV show where she reads children's stories on the show. The show begins to attract such a devout following that it attracts the attention of a national ad agency who want to put the show on network television, and as always in stories like this, once they've acquired the show, try to change it. Tandy is absolutely enchanting in one of her final roles and receives effective support from Stephanie Zimbalist as a busy ad exec, Lisa Jakub as her neglected daughter, Ed Begley Jr. as Zimbalist's boss and Christopher Gartin as Tandy's favorite cameraman. The film also features Tandy's real life daughter, Tandy Cronyn. It may be overly sentimental and on the predictable side, but it is a delight from start to finish, thanks to the limitless screen charisma of Jessica Tandy. A fun holiday film for the entire family.

an example of older input from grandparents

[patsew · 8/10 · 27 January 2005]

I remember seeing this movie on a local TV station in the mid90's and thought how wonderful it would be if children could experience the magic of listening and using their imagination again instead of having all visual stimulus at the ready depriving them of the ability to use their imagination to come up with their own original ideas. I feel it portrayed an essential part of human development to listen to stories from the older generation of a time before they were born or stories passed down. Maybe I'm getting old but I would like to think in a similar situation we won't have gone too far beyond radio or watching a storyteller to ever fail to enjoy listening.

Excellent

[daddykingpig · 10/10 · 14 October 2007]

Anything with Jessica Tandy, Hume, or her daughter is always fantastic. From Foxfire to Dances with the white dog, all their movies are A-1. Even Lifeboat made by Hitchcock was great. A credit to their profession. This movie also was great and endearing. Will watch once and again. Will recommend to others. Will always love them all. The world mourned when they died. But it rejoices when they are on the silver screen. All their movies tug at the heart. They always will. Never miss any with Jessica, Hume Croyn in it. Will love their work as long as can watch. I been watching now for 46 years and will continue until I am laid at rest.

Excellent, excellent movie!

[rp_roger · 10/10 · 11 June 2006]

I never heard of this movie until I watched it today. Why it isn't a classic is beyond me. Watch it with your children and bring the wonder and imagination of stories into their lives. The ending is wonderful as well especially the scene in the judge's chambers. I couldn't help but break out in laughter! Why there isn't an actual show like the one portrayed in this movie isn't on TV is also beyond me. I only hope some senior lady see's this and gets inspired. I once wrote a Christmas story for my niece's and this is a very good family movie, one that parents and children should watch together. Watch it, then go to the library and get some classic fairy tales to read to your kids instead of video games. They'll remember those times for all of their lives.

Great family film for all ages

[gregorysalo · 10/10 · 31 December 2002]

Great family film for all ages. Could be called a "Christmas" movie, but the Christmas part plays a small role. Lisa Jakub's film before she plays the daughter on Mrs. Doubtfire. Jessica Tandy does a fine job as the "story lady" - a grandmother for all the children watching her on her community access TV show.

It touched my heart.

[locher69 · 22 February 2000]

I love this movie. It really touches my heart... especially the little note disclosed with the beautiful doll house that Grace sent Alex and Julie. Grace is telling Julie and us, the audience, that "family spirit," the virtue our parents' treasured, is very important.

This is a plain movie, talking about family love and children that we can get plenty of on TV. However, this is the value of the movie. There's no exciting plot, beautiful costumes or actions, only everyday life and the things that we sometimes forget to see or are blind to because of fame or money.

Alice Lin, National Changhua University of Education, TAIWAN

Be careful what you wish for.

[sixpence1106 · 8/10 · 2 January 2014]

As, I am sure was previously mentioned...Jessica Tandy is in this movie. Need we say more? Many years ago, I had a boss that thought the only way you could be a good sales person was to talk loudly and firmly, to the point of being pushy. Ms. Tandy, with her quiet and calm demeanor could sell snow to an Eskimo. She makes acting look easy and effortless. That is what makes her so good. This is not a blockbuster movie, but it's a sweet story of an older woman who senses that at her age, people seem to feel she has nothing more to offer. What started out as a small enjoyable pass time, became more than she could have anticipated. In the meantime, she shows a mother that she is missing out on what is really important. Stephanie Zimbalist was wonderful as well. I really enjoyed the movie. Its definitely worth watching.

Wonderful Christmas movie with Jessica Tandy

[jbsamwise · 8/10 · 14 January 2012]

A grandmother who cannot find anything worthwhile to do with her time, begins reading classic storybooks on Public Access Cable TV. When everyone starts watching her, the networks get interested....I just want people to know that this title is available on Amazon now. But they changed the title to, 'The Christmas Story Lady' - this is sad as many people will not find it. I guess they are looking for a new audience. But I am so happy that I finally have it on DVD. I had bought a VHS tape a few years ago and it was going bad. This is a really wonderful Christmas movie and I can't think of anyone who would not like it. Jessica Tandy is wonderful. Stephanie Zimbalist is wonderful. Lisa Jakub is wonderful. Fun, also, to see Jessica's real-life daughter, Tandy, playing her daughter in the movie.

Wonderful Unknown Christmas Family Flick

[goldfussmikey · 8/10 · 17 November 2018]

Don't let the statement "tv movie" fool you. While regularly, the tv movie genre holds to the connotation of cheesy hallmark specials; this one is not like that at all. It has a great plot that appeals to the whole family, and is in fact a wonderful Christmas movie. The story develops quite well and the characters become real with the circumstances. Recommend during the winter season.

She just wanted something to do involving children, and got more than she bargained for.

[mark.waltz · 10/10 · 13 September 2022]

The fabulous Jessica Tandy plays the character of Grace, a sweet widow (lacking the overacted feistiness of usual old people in films) who on a whim decides to read children's stories on public access in New York City and is quickly picked up for a network show that's completely turns her life upside down. She did not want stardom. She just wanted to feel needed and reach out to children with her love of literature and reading. Now she's being pushed into doing tours, having her smile altered with new teeth and wearing costumes that she finds absolutely absurd. What she does gain in the process is a surrogate granddaughter, the lonely Lisa Jakub who adores her instantly, and vice versa.

Tandy's real life daughter, Tandy Cronyn, plays her daughter here, initially filled with misgivings over her mother's activities, but realizing that this is what her mother really wants to do, and Stephanie Zimbalist is Jakub's hard-working mother, television producer who notices Tandy on public access and pushes the idea for the show, pushed by tough boss Ed Begley Jr. Who is the proverbial Scrooge of this Christmas story, failing to see that Tandy's story lady doesn't need all the bells and whistles that they tried to give her. Chris Gartin is quite the opposite, the public access cameraman who sees that Tandy is something special and moves past his big city cynicism to give his all to pushing her to continue. A wonderful movie that can be watched all year round because it deals with year round emotions.