The Miracle Worker (1962 film) facts for kids

The film The Miracle Worker is a powerful movie from 1962. It tells the true story of Anne Sullivan, a special teacher who was visually impaired herself. She helped Helen Keller, a young girl who couldn't see or hear since she was a baby. The movie was directed by Arthur Penn. The story is based on a play by William Gibson, which was also inspired by Helen Keller's own book, The Story of My Life.

This film was a big success with critics and did well at the box office. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars. It won two of them: Anne Bancroft won for Best Actress, and Patty Duke won for Best Supporting Actress. Patty Duke was only 16 years old at the time, making her the youngest person to win a competitive Oscar back then!

The Story of The Miracle Worker

The movie begins with young Helen Keller. She became blind and deaf as a baby because of a serious illness. Because she cannot communicate, Helen often gets very frustrated and has angry outbursts. Her parents are scared and don't know how to help her.

They reach out to the Perkins School for the Blind for help. The school sends Anne Sullivan, who used to be a student there, to the Keller home as a tutor. Anne faces a big challenge. She needs to teach Helen how to connect hand signs with the objects around her. This is a battle of wills, but Anne uses her patience, love, and determination to break through Helen's world of silence and darkness.

Meet the Cast

The movie features amazing actors who brought this true story to life:

• Anne Bancroft as Anne Sullivan
• Patty Duke as Helen Keller
• Victor Jory as Captain Arthur Keller (Helen's father)
• Inga Swenson as Kate Keller (Helen's mother)
• Andrew Prine as James Keller (Helen's half-brother)
• 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 Recognition

The Miracle Worker received many important awards and honors. It was recognized for its powerful story and the amazing performances by its actors.

Academy Awards (Oscars)

The film was nominated for five Academy Awards and won two:

• Won: Best Actress for Anne Bancroft
• Won: Best Supporting Actress for Patty Duke
• Nominated: Best Director for Arthur Penn
• Nominated: Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium for William Gibson
• Nominated: Best Costume Design – Black-and-White for Ruth Morley

Other Major Awards

• British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA): Anne Bancroft won for Best Foreign Actress. The film was also nominated for Best Film from any Source.
• Directors Guild of America Awards: Arthur Penn was nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures.
• Golden Globe Awards: Patty Duke won for Most Promising Newcomer – Female. The film was also nominated for Best Motion Picture – Drama, and Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke were nominated for their acting.
• Grand Prix (Belgian Film Critics Association): Won for Best Film.
• Laurel Awards: Patty Duke won for Top Female Supporting Performance. Anne Bancroft and the film were also nominated.
• National Board of Review Awards: Anne Bancroft won for Best Actress. The film was also named one of the Top Ten Films.
• Photoplay Awards: Won the Gold Medal.
• San Sebastián International Film Festival: Anne Bancroft won the Silver Shell for Best Actress, and Arthur Penn won the OCIC Award.
• Writers Guild of America Awards: William Gibson was nominated for Best Written American Drama.

American Film Institute (AFI) Honors

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

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