“Steel Magnolias” – the iconic Southern comedy/drama starring Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah and Olympia Dukakis – is returning to theaters this weekend to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the film’s release.
The 1989 movie is a snapshot of contemporary life in the South for six reasonably well-off women, with a plot built on humor and tragedy. “Steel Magnolias” was a box-office blockbuster and a rare film about friendship among women featuring an almost-unheard-of six female leads.
Truvy (Dolly Parton, left) and Clairee (Olympia Dukakis) gossip during a scene in “Steel Magnolias.”
For East Tennessee native Parton, who plays hairdresser Truvy Jones, it was her most significant film role since her starring turn in 1980’s “9 to 5.” Meanwhile, it was a breakout role for Georgia native Roberts, who was 22 when the film was released.
Embedded Giphy – Natural beauty
Parton has some of the most-quoted lines from the movie, including:
“Honey, time marches on and eventually you realize it is marching across your face.”
“In a good shoe I wear a size 6, but a 7 feels so good, I buy a size 8.”
And “I have a strict policy that nobody cries alone in my presence”
Embedded Giphy – Sad
Every actress has her comedic moments.
For example, Shirley MacLaine’s crabby Ouiser Boudreaux says, “I’m not crazy … I’ve just been in a very bad mood for 40 years.” Dukakis, who plays Ouiser’s dry-witted friend Clairee Belcher, quips, “Well you know what they say: If you don’t have anything nice to say about anybody, come sit by me!” And Hannah, who plays Truvy’s beleaguered assistant Annelle, says, “Miss Truvy, I promise that my personal tragedy will not interfere with my ability to do good hair.”
Embedded Giphy – Not crazy
“Steel Magnolias” will show at the Regal Pinnacle Stadium 18 in Turkey Creek, the Regal Cinebarre West Town Mall 9 and the Tinseltown in Oak Ridge on Sunday, May 19, and on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 21 and 22. Showtimes will be 4 and 7 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. only on Tuesday and Wednesday.
