Return of Steel Magnolias

This month and year marks the 30th anniversary of the movie premier for Steel Magnolias. One of the most beloved Southern films ever made, for me, it ranks right up there with some of the most cherished films of the 20th century.

Snapshot Review

Easily one of the most quotable films, they got everything right*. The laughter, the tears, the music, the hair, and the fantastic ode to 80s fashion. It’s a movie that lingers with you, and it’s a beautiful tribute to the true, modern South. Strong women, funny women. They are leaders. Realistically religious (rarely depicted well in films). Fastidiously devoted to each other, they are the women you want to be, and the #squadgoals you long to achieve.

*Note: when I say they got everything right, I mean of course, with the one exception of Julia Robert’s Southern accent. Whoa nelly. I love the woman, but for someone who was born and raised in the Great and Sovereign State of Georgia should surely have been able to tackle that with greater accuracy.

Fun Facts

• Did you know Steel began as a stage play? And if you’ve never seen this on stage, you are missing out. The entire production takes place inside Truvy’s salon, and it’s a magical little piece of theatre. It also has no men in the cast.

• The playwrite, Robert Harling, wrote this as a memorial to his sister Susan, and he played a significant role in bringing it to the silver screen.

• The movie studio sponsored an episode of late-80s TV show Designing Women. Dolly Parton even makes a guest appearance! Before Instagram Influencers and YouTube stars, before hyper-saturated product placement and talk-show movie promotion, this must have been such a novel idea.

  For those curious, the sponsorship lasted over two episodes entitled The First Day of the Last Decade of the Entire Twentieth Century (season 5, episodes 13 and 14).

• There was a made-for-TV remake. No no no no no.

• [SPOILER] Herbert Ross, the difficult and insulting director of the film, wanted an authentic feel to the hospital scenes, so he hired the doctors and nurses who tended to Susan Harling (basis for Shelby) during her last days in the hospital to play themselves.

Favorite Quotes

For kicks, I thought I’d share some of my favorite lines from the film:

On inheriting a pair of shoes from a friend:
“In a good shoe I wear a size 6, but a 7 feels so good, I buy a size 8.”
- Truvy

On describing the wedding decor:
“The sanctuary looks like it’s been hosed down with Pepto-Bismol.”
- M’Lynn

Trying to make up with Ouiser after hurting her feelings:
“You know I love ya more than all my luggage.”
- Clairee

On the compliment to the chef of the groom’s cake:
“Thank you! You know, I can do anything, ‘cept snakes. I don’t have the counter space.”
- Aunt Vern

Shelby discovers the early stages of crows feet:
“Honey, time marches on, and eventually you realize it’s marchin’ across your face.”
- Truvy

It’s such a quotable movie, so if you’ve seen it, share a good one with me. Did you see it in the movie theater or have you seen the stage production? Share your memories with me!