Lantern Hill (film)

Lantern Hill
DVD cover
Based onJane of Lantern Hill
by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Screenplay byKevin Sullivan
Fiona McHugh
Directed byKevin Sullivan
StarringMairon Bennett
Sam Waterston
Patricia Phillips
Zoe Caldwell
Sarah Polley
Colleen Dewhurst
Theme music composerJohn Welsman
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducersJim Burt
Trudy Grant
Cathy Johnson
Jay Rayvid
David Shepherd
Kevin Sullivan
Running time111 minutes (approx.)
Production companySullivan Entertainment
Original release
NetworkDisney Channel
CBC Television
ReleaseAugust 29, 1989 (1989-08-29)

Lantern Hill is a 1989 Canadian drama television film written and directed by filmmaker Kevin Sullivan[1] and based L.M. Montgomery's novel Jane of Lantern Hill.[2] The film was co-produced by Sullivan Entertainment,[3] the Disney Channel and CBC Television.[4]

For the production of the film, Lantern Hill was filmed using the same house used for Sullivan's earlier production, Anne of Green Gables, though painted orange. Many of the actors and actresses from Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel, and Road to Avonlea made appearances in this film. At least one DVD release (illustrated at right) appended Anne of Green Gables to the title of the film; however, other than being also based upon a Lucy Maud Montgomery novel and sharing some cast members from Sullivan's earlier production, plus also being set on Prince Edward Island, Lantern Hill has no connection to Anne of Green Gables.

Synopsis

12 year old Jane Stuart (Mairon Bennett) has long been told by her Grandmother Kennedy (Zoe Caldwell) that her father is dead. When her mother, Robin Stuart (Patricia Phillips) returns home after recovering from a long illness, Jane learns that her mysterious father, Andrew Stuart (Sam Waterston) is still alive. When Jane finally meets her father and travels with him to Prince Edward Island to stay at Lantern Hill, their family home, she discovers that he is a kind man that cares deeply for both her and her mother. Determined to reunite her parents, Jane enlists the aid of Hepzibah (Colleen Dewhurst), a powerful mystic, to help her solve an old mystery that has torn apart her family. In a subplot, Jody Turner (Sarah Polley) is an abused servant girl who lives next door to Jane. They become best friends. Jody follows Jane on her journey and winds up working hard labor for several different people. Jane and Hepzibah convince Hepzibah's sisters to adopt Jody, which they oppose to at first because they want a boy. Later on they agree to adopt Jody {It's inferred that Hepzibah somehow made them change their minds.} Later on, Hepzibah dies with Jane and Jody by her side.

Cast

  • Jane Stuart – Mairon Bennett
  • Andrew Stuart – Sam Waterston
  • Robin Stuart – Patricia Phillips
  • Mrs. Kennedy – Zoe Caldwell
  • Jody – Sarah Polley
  • Hepzibah – Colleen Dewhurst
  • Aunt Irene – Vivian Reis
  • Violet Titus – Joyce Campion
  • Justina Titus – Florence Paterson
  • Lillian Morrow – Sharry Flett
  • Evelyn Morror – Glori Gage
  • Aggie – Dora Dainton
  • William Kennedy – Robert Benson
  • Phyllis Kennedy – Juno Mills Cockell
  • Gertrude Kennedy – Jillian Cook
  • Frank Price – James Mainprize
  • Mary Price – Judy Sinclair
  • Cook - Valerie Boyle
  • Superintendent - Durward Allen
  • Mrs. Stanley - Esther Hockin
  • Anne Farquhar - Cecily Stanley
  • Agnes Ripley - Alyson Court
  • Schoolgirl - Dorion Davis
  • Mrs. Simpson - Denise Fergusson
  • Charlotte Simpson - Ellen Dubin
  • Little Schoolgirl - Gillian Steeve
  • Poultry Boy - Noam Zylberman
  • Owen Meade - Gareth Bennett
  • Jimmy-John Meade - Zachary Bennett
  • Dr. Arnett - Dan MacDonald
  • Milkman - Paul Coeur
  • Train Conductor - Jack Mather
  • Train Cook - Jason St. Amour

List of Awards

  • Heartland Film Festival – Crystal Heart Award, 1992[5]
  • 2 Gemini Awards:
    • Best Supporting Actress (Sarah Polley), 1991[6]
    • Best Costume Design (Martha Mann), 1991[7]
  • ACE Award – Best Supporting Actress (Colleen Dewhurst), 1990[8]
  • Emmy Nomination – Best Supporting Actress (Colleen Dewhurst), 1990[9]
  • Frankfurt Film Festival – Nominated, 1990
  • 38th Annual Columbus Film Festival – Honourable Mention – Art & Culture Category, 1990
  • International Film & Television Festival of New York – Family Special – Finalist Certificate, 1990

References

  1. ^ "TV Reviews : Ghosts, Romance in ‘Lantern Hill’" Archived 2023-05-26 at the Wayback Machine by Lynne Heffley at www.latimes.com
  2. ^ "Canadian-made Lantern Hill finally makes it on to the tube". Waterloo Region Record, December 29, 1990.
  3. ^ "Anne of red ink: Heirs can't believe the Anne of Green Gables films have not made a bundle. But, as Tony Atherton finds, it's probably true" by Tony Atherton, The Ottawa Citizen (15 July 1999) [Final Edition]. Retrieved from ProQuest 240312025
  4. ^ Bob Remington, "Happy ending only flaw in brooding tale; But neat, tidy climax no reason to avoid Montgomery story". Edmonton Journal, December 30, 1990.
  5. ^ "The Arts in Brief: Canadian film honoured at festival" The Globe and Mail (23 Oct, 1992) Retrieved from ProQuest 385351413
  6. ^ Greg Quill, "Wallin, Schlesinger win journalism Geminis". Toronto Star, March 8, 1992.
  7. ^ "TV talents to collect 61 awards in 3 nights Geminis billed as 'live and dangerous'" by Christopher Harris, The Globe and Mail (7 March 1992) Retrieved from ProQuest 385497476
  8. ^ "Cher won't remarry, don't ask her/Dewhurst's seer role conjures up award'" Toronto Star (15 Jan, 1991) [FIN edition]. Retrieved from ProQuest 436336799
  9. ^ "List of Nominees For Emmy Awards" San Francisco Chronicle (3 Aug, 1990) [FINAL Edition]. Retrieved from ProQuest 302600871