Where the Lilies Bloom - 1975

I was 9 when this film came out and I still remember the first time I went to the movies to watch it. Growing up without money I could relate to the way these kids lived. It wasn't until I got older and seen it again that I understood what these kids were really surviving.

A sincere and unglamourized look at the backwoods Appalachians has four children left parentless when their father dies. They refuse to let his death be known to the proper authorities for fear of being separated and placed in an orphanage. Mary Call ( Julie Gholson), though not the eldest of the brood, takes on the parent-figure role, protecting the kids from the frightful world of adults, especially landlord Kiser Pease (Harry Dean Stanton). Pacing and plot development are very slow but effectively detail the changes the children undergo as they grow and learn to accept Stanton as a friend. The latter gives a strong performance as a crusty gent who is really pretty cool.

Based on the novel written by Bill and Vera Cleaver (Nominee, 1970 National Book Award for Children's Literature; Notable Children's Books of 1969 (ALA); Best Books of 1969 (SLJ); Outstanding Children's Books of 1969 (NYT)).