Looking for Miracles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Looking for Miracles |
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| Written by | A.E. Hotchner (original novel) Kevin Sullivan Stuart McLean |
| Directed by | Kevin Sullivan |
| Starring | Greg Spottiswood Zachary Bennett |
| Theme music composer | John Welsman |
| Country of origin | Canada |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Trudy Grant David A. Shepherd Kevin Sullivan |
| Running time | 103 minutes (approx.) |
| Production company(s) | Sullivan Entertainment |
| Release | |
| Original release | June 3, 1989 |
Looking for Miracles is a heartwarming TV movie from 1989. It's based on a true story by A.E. Hotchner. The film was mostly shot in southern Ontario, Canada. It tells the story of two brothers growing up and learning about life at a summer camp. This all happens during a tough time in history called the Great Depression. Kevin Sullivan directed, produced, and helped write the movie.
Contents
The Story of Looking for Miracles
The movie takes place in the summer of 1935. This was during the Great Depression, a time when many people struggled to find jobs and money.
Ryan's Big Challenge
Ryan Delaney, who is 16 years old (played by Greg Spottiswood), dreams of going to university. He hopes to get a scholarship to help pay for it. However, his mother (Patricia Phillips) is having a tough time. She wants Ryan to stay home and find work. She also needs him to help take care of his younger brother, Sullivan (played by Zachary Bennett), who is 10.
Ryan and Sullivan were separated for a while because of the Depression. They have only recently reunited. Ryan often gets annoyed by his little brother. Desperate for a job, Ryan finds a chance to work as a counselor at Camp Hochelaga. He isn't really qualified for the job. He's too young, has never been to camp, and can't even swim! But he doesn't tell the camp director, Chief Berman (Joe Flaherty), any of this during his interview.
Ryan's trick works, and he gets offered the main counselor job for the 10-year-old boys. His mother tells him he can't go to camp without Sullivan. So, Ryan convinces Chief Berman to let Sullivan come too. Sullivan ends up in Ryan's group, which makes things interesting for the brothers.
Camp Life and New Friends
When camp starts, Ryan struggles a lot with his new job. On the very first day, he's asked to move a car. He doesn't admit he can't drive and ends up having a small accident. Another counselor in Ryan's group, named Mo (Hugh Thompson), quickly realizes Ryan isn't as experienced as he claims. But Mo keeps Ryan's secret, and they become good friends.
Ryan and Mo work together to manage their group of campers. One of the campers is a difficult boy nicknamed Ratface (Noah Godfrey). At first, Ratface causes a lot of trouble and is mean to Sullivan. Over time, the counselors learn about Ratface's difficult home life. As they understand him better, Ratface and Sullivan eventually become friends.
The film is all about growing up and learning important lessons. By the end of the movie, Ryan and Sullivan develop a much closer and stronger bond as brothers.
Cast
- Greg Spottiswood as Ryan Delaney
- Zachary Bennett as Sullivan Delaney
- Joe Flaherty as Chief Berman
- Patricia Gage as Grace Gibson
- Patricia Phillips as Mrs. Delaney
- Noah Godfrey as Ratface
- Paul Haddad as Paul
- Dean Hamilton as Babe
- Hugh Thompson as Mo
- Eric Fink as Floyd
Awards and Recognition
Looking for Miracles received many awards for its great storytelling and production. Here are some of the honors it won:
- 1989 - ACE Award for Best Art Direction
- 1989 - ACE Award for Best Costume Design
- 1989 - ACE Award for Best Movie
- 1989 - Chris Award for Art & Culture - Columbus International Film & Video Festival
- 1989 - Giffoni Award - Giffoni Film Festival
- 1989 - Ollie Award for Best Outstanding Family Programming - American Children’s Television Festival
- 1989 - Silver Hugo Award for Feature Films Made for TV - Chicago International Film Festival
- 1989 - Silver Medal for Teen Special Category - New York Film Festival
- 1990 - Bronze Award for Feature Made for Television - The Houston International Film Festival
- 1990 - Emmy Award for Best Actor (Greg Spottiswood)
- 1990 - Emmy Award nomination for Best Actor (Zachary Bennett)
- 1990 - Gemini Award for Best Supporting Actor (Joe Flaherty)
- 1990 - Gold Apple Award - National Educational Film & Video Festival
- 1990 - International Monitor Award for Best Director (Kevin Sullivan)
- 1991 - Best Children’s Film – Canadian Film Celebration, Calgary
- 1991 - European Jury Prize for Best Screenplay - Umbriafiction TV Festival, Italy
