My last entry spoke of good-hearted, wholesome dramas including "Sarah Plain and Tall" starring Glenn Close. Today I would like to look at teh actress a little closer and share some of her diverse talents.

Though born in the states, most of Glenn's education was received overseas. "As a high school student at Greenwich's Rosemary Hall, the actress organized a touring rep-theater group and performed a number of folk-singing gigs." (http://www.starpulse.com/Actresses/Close,_Glenn/Biography/)

Her career was jump-started when George Roy Hill spotted her performing on stage and asked her to audition for Garp's mother in the movie "The World According to Garp", which premiered in 1982.

After this break through Glenn Close was offered other roles, most notably for me, "Fatal Attraction". I saw this movie once. The portrayal Glenn Close gave of a psychotic woman bent on revenge due to complete obsession with a one night stand, was enough to keep me from watching it a second time. In the military I worked with a mentally disturbed woman. I was assigned as her protector at one point. The injuries that the psychotic woman gave herself was similar to those also self inflicted by my co-worker. I had seen reality in person and then again on the screen several months later.

Glenn Close held several dramatic and deeply enthralling roles in her life, but she also has let her hair down with roles in "Mars Attack!" and the live action versions of "101 Dalmations" and "Hook".

She has also been used as an animated voice in such movies as "Hoodwinked" and "Tarzan I & II". Glenn has been an executive producer for various movies including the Sarah Plain and Tall series.

Her talents are not limited to the big screen however. She has been in television dramas such as "The Shield", "Will and Grace", "The West Wing", "Sesame Street" and the "The Simpson". This in itself shows her versatility.

Recently she was in a new series called "Damages". She plays the role of career minded, back-stabbing, litigation lawyer Patty Hewes who wants to bring down tycoon, CEO Arthur Frobisher (Ted Danson). Patty will stop at nothing to win and case. Her characters manipulation skills are "3-D" in emotion. The viewer can't help to hate her.



She has vocals too. She has sung on many occasions on many stages. Here is a classic "Send in the Clowns"






With such versatility and talent, Glenn Close deserves more than a quick glance. Check out this website and find a show you enjoy on this list of Glenn Close appearances.

Return to the Neighborhood

With the elections around the corner the words wholesome and meaningful seem to choke the very people who would vote. Today I offering movies that will remind you of the good ol' days. Movies that will make your heart feel warmth again. Not only that, but these three movies are actually a series of movies that will provided many hours of peace and rest in this tumultuous world.




Based on the bestseller by Catherine Marshall, Christy tells the story of an idealistic nineteen year old who leaves the comforts of her city home to teach school in the impoverished Appalachian community of Cutter Gap, Tennessee in 1912. Strength, determination, and faith guide young Christy Huddleston through unforeseen difficulties, help her to gain understanding of the proud mountain people, and win her mentorship, friendship, and the love of two men. Written by Anonymous (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108725/plotsummary)

Christy was a TV series which ran in the '90's. For those who don't have the time nor the funds to purchase the entire 21 episodes, dvd's of the pilot and double episodes are available through your local video stores and Columbia house. Why not utilize your netflix a little more this month? You can't go wrong with this older series.

The second movie series relweased by Hallmark movies is "Sarah Plain and Tall", "SkyLark" and "Winter's End". Glenn Close and Christopher Walken star in this series. "Set around the turn of the century. Jacob, a widowed farmer with two small children, places an ad in a paper for a new wife. The ad is answered by a spinster in Maine, who writes letters to them and describes herself as "plain and tall." And she takes a trip to Jacob's farm to see if she can make a difference. Written by Kathy Li" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102842/plotsummary)

This is when I fell in love with Christopher Walken. I sought out more movies with him in them, but this series still remains my favorite. For children who grew up with Glenn Close as Cruella DeVil in "101 Dalmations" this series will give them a whole new perspective on the woman they loved to fear.




"A young woman's dream to forge a new life for herself on the great American plains becomes a test of her pioneering spirit, her inner strength, and her undying faith and courage. By covered wagon, Marty (and Aaron Calridge have come west in search of fortune and a new life. But an unexpected tragedy leaves Marty a widow facing bleak prospects for the future. With a bitter winter season approaching and no safe passage back home, she finds herself stranded yet befriended by settlers Ben Graham and his wife Sarah. They encourage her to take up the recently widowed Clark Davis on his unusual offer--join him in a temporary marriage of convenience. Marty will have a roof over her head until the spring thaw when she can return home. In the meantime, Clark's nine-year-old daughter Missie will have a teacher. As promised, the arrangement is strictly business. However, teaching Missie, who's still mourning for her mother, becomes as challenging as living with Clark, a young man cut off from his emotions. For three similar people, each grieving for a loved one who they've lost, comfort comes from sharing their pain and hardships. But is it enough to make two lonely spirits recognize what it is that they truly need and want? As the months and seasons pass, and Marty gets closer to the day of her departure, she finally discovers the meaning of courage, her inner faith, a love she never thought possible, and the bittersweet truth in her friend Sarah's sage advice: "Bloom where you're planted." Written by KLange (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0345591/plotsummary)

"Love Comes Softly" is the first in this series based on the books by Christian Author Janette Oke. Death and hardship lead to a marriage of convenience, until love creeps in ever so slowly and deeply. This series is based on Christian values and reaffirms that there is a place in this world still for the Lord in our lives.

Directed by Michael Landon Jr. and aired on Hallmark, this series of movies is based on faith in God. This series develops with the roles of the children as they grow. As is typical with this series and the other two I ahve written about, the struggles of farming the land, fitting in, and surviving hardships in new surroundings, bring the love and the adventure home.



Husbands who enjoy western type movies will enjoy all of these. The children will get added teachings about "Love Thy Neighbor" and being self-sufficient. Adults can dream of a better life in this fast paced and hectic world. The Spirit of the Lord will testify of the goodness of these movies. The best part is that there are at least 3 movies in a set. Get the children hooked on drama and goodness.
Return to the Neighborhood