The Miracle Worker (1962 film) facts for kids

The Miracle Worker is a 1962 American biographical film about Anne Sullivan, blind tutor to Helen Keller, directed by Arthur Penn. The screenplay by William Gibson is based on his 1959 play of the same title, which originated as a 1957 broadcast of the television anthology series Playhouse 90. Gibson's secondary source material was The Story of My Life, the 1903 autobiography of Helen Keller.

The film went on to be an instant critical success and a moderate commercial success. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Director for Arthur Penn, and won two awards, Best Actress for Anne Bancroft and Best Supporting Actress for Patty Duke, the latter of whom, at age 16, became the youngest competitive Oscar winner at the time.

Plot

Young Helen Keller, blind and deaf since infancy due to a severe illness, is frustrated and angry by her inability to communicate and subject to frequent uncontrollable outbursts. Unable to deal with her, her terrified and helpless parents contact the Perkins School for the Blind for assistance. In response, they send Anne Sullivan, a former student, to the Keller home as a tutor. A battle of wills ensues as Anne breaks down Helen's walls of silence and darkness through persistence, love, and sheer stubbornness, starting by teaching Helen to make a connection between her hand signs and the objects in Helen's world for which they stand.

Cast

• Anne Bancroft as Anne Sullivan
• Patty Duke as Helen Keller
• Victor Jory as Captain Arthur Keller
• Inga Swenson as Kate Keller
• Andrew Prine as James Keller
• Kathleen Comegys as Aunt Ev
• Beah Richards as Viney (uncredited)
• Jack Hollander as Mr. Anagnos (uncredited)
• Michael Darden as Percy (uncredited)
• Dale Ellen Bethea as Martha (uncredited)
• John Bliss as Admissions Officer (uncredited)
• Judith Lowry as 1st Crone (uncredited)
• William F. Haddock as 2nd Crone (uncredited)
• Helen Ludlam as 3rd Crone (uncredited)

Awards and honors

Other honors The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:

• 2003: AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains:
  • Annie Sullivan – Nominated Hero
• 2005: AFI's 100 Years of Film Scores – Nominated
• 2006: AFI's 100 Years...100 Cheers – #15