HELEN KELLER, THE MIRACLE CONTINUES

US, 1982, 100 minutes, Colour.
Blythe Danner, Mare Winningham, Perry King, Vera Miles, Peter Cushing, Alexander Knox, Jack Warden.
Directed by Alan Gibson.

Helen Keller, the Miracle Continues is a continuation of the Miracle Worker story. The Miracle Worker, with Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke, was a success in the early '60s. It was remade in the '80s with Patty Duke in the Annie Sullivan role and Melissa Gilbert as Helen Keller. The film was directed by Alan Gibson, who directs this sequel.

Blythe Danner is excellent as Annie Sullivan, a complicated character, devoted to Helen and unable to move away from Helen into a marriage. Mare Winningham is also excellent as Helen Keller. Perry King gets a very good role as the editor who works with Helen and falls in love with Annie Sullivan but is unable to make the marriage work. In the supporting cast are guest moments by Vera Miles, Peter Cushing and Alexander Knox. Jack Warden gives an impersonation of Mark Twain.

The film starts at the turn of the century, shows Helen's academic career at Radcliffe, the publication of her biography and her writings. It focuses also on the choice that was made for Annie Sullivan and Helen to go to the vaudeville theatre to show the world her message (pre-television days).

A moving piece of Americana.

1.Audience knowledge of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan? Admiration, understanding? The miracle of Helen Keller's life? Her adult life?

2.The re-creation of the turn of the century in Massachusetts, lifestyle, education, publishing, social life, vaudeville? The atmosphere of the period? The musical score?

3.The strength of the cast and their portrayals of the characters?

4.Familiarity with the story, Helen Keller's life, her disabilities, gradual intellectual and emotional awakening, communication, education? Her awakening to the complexities of life?

5.Annie Sullivan and Helen: the strength of their relationship, Teacher? Communication and awareness? Annie Sullivan and her eyes, limited vision? Sharing with Helen, always with her? Mutual dependence? Helen's education, the clash with the educators? The support of Mrs Keller? The English professor and the suggestion about publishing? Helen and her writing, Johnny and his arrival, editing? Falling in love? Helen becoming aware of the relationship? The build-up to the marriage, the wedding ceremony? Yet Annie's devotion to Helen, feeling herself indispensable? The clashes with Johnny, her harshness, the separation? Her illness? Her protectiveness of Helen, wariness of her relationship with Peter, warning him off? The decision to go to the vaudeville theatre? Her introduction to Helen's speech? The achievement of Annie Sullivan - at what reward, at what cost?

6.Helen Keller in herself, her background, sensitivity, yearning for education, poetic skills, love of nature, warmth with people? Speaking when she trusted them? The bond with Annie Sullivan? Going to college, her fears? The friendship of the students? Socials, music and dancing? The friendship with Mark Twain, discussions with him, his advice? The lectures, English, writing her autobiography? The achievement of her graduation? Friendship with Johnny, working with him, attracted to him, learning of his love for Annie? The wedding? Discovery of her emotions? The friendship with Peter, outings with him, the plan to elope, her being left? Her grief? Her decision to go into vaudeville, her decision to speak openly? The quality of her final speech?

7.Johnny and his skills, entering the life of the two women, admiration for Helen, communicating with her, attracted by Annie, falling in love, marrying, their work, the fights, his feeling left out, unable to persuade Annie to be with him, his drinking, being ousted from their lives?

8.Mark Twain and his friendship, his reputation, admiration for Helen, advice?

9.The sketch of Helen's mother, her trust in Annie Sullivan, standing up for her at the college? Her pride in her daughter? Her loving her but not being close?

10.The background of colleges at the turn of the century, women students? The prestige for having Helen Keller? Not wanting Annie Sullivan? The English professor and his support of his writings?

11.Peter, falling in love with Helen, socialising, the plan, the strong warning by Annie and his disappearing?

12.The audience at the finale, their listening to Helen, their appreciation and standing ovation?