Movies (TV and otherwise) based on
Cather's writings
Only one Hollywood production has been made of Cather's works. There was
a forgettable version of A Lost Lady (1934) starring Barbara Stanwyck as
Marian Ormsby. Willa Cather was dismayed by the film version and refused
to permit another adaptation during her lifetime. Recent television
Cather programs have included an NEH-supported version of the short
story
Paul's
Case. A 1995 USA Network version of My Antonia, starred the
intriguing Elina
Lowensohn as well as Neil Patrick Harris, Jason Robards, and Eva
Marie Saint; it was nominated for an
Emmy as "Outstanding
Individual Achievement for a Miniseries of a Special". [Antonia's
daughter played an extra in the film.] A
recent Hallmark Hall of Fame adaptation of O Pioneers! starred
Jessica Lange as
Alexandra Bergson. Another American Playhouse version was produced in
1991 starring
Mary
McDonnell. Playwright Darrah Cloud has
made a stage adaptation of O Pioneers! which was produced at the
Huntington Theatre in Boston.