Jessica Tandy Works Simple Enchantment in The Story Lady

With so many other entertainment options available, many people suspect that good old-fashioned books are going out of style. The Story Lady, a 1991 made-for-TV movie starring Jessica Tandy, posits that the thirst for good stories is as strong as ever. In this charming film, Tandy portrays Grace McQueen, a widow who has just moved in with her daughter Meg (Tandy Cronyn) and son-in-law Norm (Richard Masur). Uninterested in the senior center Meg suggests she attend, Grace seeks out volunteer opportunities but is rejected at every turn until she discovers public access television and decides to broadcast her own show reading classic tales like Thumbelina and The Little Mermaid.

Just a silver-haired lady in a rocking chair reading a picture book. It doesn't seem like the formula for thrilling television, but with a little help from Scott (Christopher Gartin), the fresh-out-of-college producer immediately enchanted by her unassuming manner, her weekly show becomes a staple for hundreds of children and their parents. One child especially taken with the series is lonely Alexandra Pollard (Lisa Jakub), who lives with her workaholic mother, Julie (Stephanie Zimbalist). When Julie sees Alex watching Story Lady, she detects an opportunity. It's time to take Grace to the big time. Julie invites Grace to stay with her and Alex in New York City for a week while she films the pilot of a new, amped-up version of her little show. But how will this humble woman hold up under the bright lights of network television?

The film concludes toward the end of December, making this a movie that could be classified as a Christmas special. Key elements of the ending include an elementary school presentation of A Christmas Carol and a special Christmas delivery courtesy of Grace. But most of the movie isn't particularly tied to the holiday. It's an any-time-of-year story of families learning to respect and make time for one another, whether that means cutting back on work hours or simply making a date to enjoy a story together. It's about a mother and daughter reconnecting and a disheartened woman reclaiming a sense of joy by spreading happiness to others.

Tandy leads a strong cast, creating a character who is warm and witty, a bit bewildered by certain aspects of modern life but too savvy to be taken advantage of. Her rapport with young Jakub and the endearing Gartin is especially good, and she shares a great scene with Charles Durning as a judge late in the movie. While the movie is more sappy than comical, there are plenty of funny moments, particularly when Grace gets to the big city and learns what is expected of her. The Story Lady is a feel-good film that families can enjoy together, and its emphasis on quality time and excellent literature is just as refreshing today as when it was made.