Truman Capote's a Christmas Memory (1966)

Narrated by Truman Capote. Emmy Award winning adaptation of Capote's recollection of his youth in the rural South during the Depression. Living with a slightly dotty but loving "cousin," Capote remembers back to when he was about 10 years old and it was suddenly decided that "it was fruitcake weather." The task of baking 30 cakes for mostly far away friends and other rituals of Christmas time are painted with such loving and nostalgic strokes, this becomes a truly beautiful Christmas experience. The pverty of the 1930s fails to stop or even slow down a loving relationship at a loving time of the year. An Emmy Award well deserved!

Customer Reviews:

PERFECT MEMORY
This perfectly rendered adaptation of Capote's autobiographical story deserves a DVD reissue. It is perhaps the most beautiful Christmas movie you will ever see - simple, lovingly made, with performances that are astonishingly real - and heartfelt. Geraldine Page, who won the Emmy, is mesmerizing as Capote's eccentric cousin Sook - though we never hear her name in this movie version. Capote's distinctive voice provides some of the most emotional moments of the film - underscored by an enchanting musical score that is woven into the scenery. The relationship we come to experience in A Christmas Memory is its most memorable aspect - and you will undoubtedly make this a seasonal event, as I have for over 20 years. It never fails to move me to tears - perhaps more so as I grow older.
--2005-12-21

I lied. I don't have "this" video. I taped it from A&E years ago.
Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory" is, perhaps, my favorite short story. I re-read it each Christmas. In 1966, at the height of his fame, Capote wrote this adaptation and provided the narration for this hour-long film.

Geraldine Page IS Sook Faulk. She's NOT acting. She simply IS her - and always will be as far as I am concerned. This film gets my vote for the most perfect hour of television - ever. The performances, the story, the narration - nothing could be improved upon. The final scene with the spinster and child flying kites becomes almost unbearable when Miss. Sook reveals her heart: "I've always thought a body would have to be sick and dying before they saw the Lord. And I imagined that when He came it would be like looking at the Baptist window: pretty as colored glass with sun pouring through, such a shine you don't know it's getting dark. And it's always been a comfort: to think of that shine taking away all the spooky feeling. But I'll wager it never happens. I'll wager at the very end a body realizes the Lord has already shown Himself. That things as they are, just what they've always seen, was seeing him. As for me, I could leave the world with today in my eyes." I feel that same way when I watch this little film. It communicates so much, so simply.

Now, as for this black & white copy - what's up with that? This was filmed in color. The print I recorded is in color. It's beautiful. I've haven't yet seen "The Thanksgiving Visitor" - why doesn't some company release these two films together on one DVD - fully restored???? It would make a perfect Christmas gift for anyone who considers themselves a fan of either Truman Capote or Geraldine Page. Trivia: Did you know that Capote and Page each won Emmy Awards for their work on "A Christmas Memory"? True. Page won a second Emmy for "The Thanksgiving Visitor." All the more reason these should be preserved on DVD.

Update: 11/19/2006 - I've had two more people contact me about this review and this very special little movie - it's still NOT out on DVD - A&E if you're listenting, please rebroadcast this. ABC is you still own the rights - put it on DVD now!
--2005-11-14

- Video Yesteryear