Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Bruce Beresford

Writers (WGA):

Alfred Uhry (play)
Alfred Uhry (screenplay)

Release Date:

26 January 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

The comedy that won a Pulitzer Prize

Plot:

An old Jewish woman and her African-American chauffeur in the American South have a relationship that grows and improves over the years.

Plot Keywords:

Jewish | Widow | 1950s | Chauffeur | American South

Awards:

Won 4 Oscars. Another 16 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

Morgan Freeman	...	Hoke Colburn
Jessica Tandy	...	Daisy Werthan
Dan Aykroyd	...	Boolie Werthan
Patti LuPone	...	Florine Werthan
Esther Rolle	...	Idella
Joann Havrilla	...	Miss McClatchey
William Hall Jr.	...	Oscar
Alvin M. Sugarman	...	Dr. Weil
Clarice F. Geigerman	...	Nonie
Muriel Moore	...	Miriam
Sylvia Kaler	...	Beulah
Carolyn Gold	...	Neighbor Lady
Crystal R. Fox	...	Katie Bell
Bob Hannah	...	Red Mitchell
Ray McKinnon	...	Trooper #1
Ashley Josey	...	Trooper #2
Jack Rousso	...	Slick
Fred Faser	...	Insurance Agent
Indra A. Thomas	...	Soloist
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dean DuBois	...	Commerce Club member (uncredited)
Martin Luther King	...	Himself (uncredited) (archive sound)
D. Taylor Loeb	...	Girl at Temple (uncredited)

Directed by
Bruce Beresford

Writing credits (WGA)
Alfred Uhry		(play)
Alfred Uhry		(screenplay)

Produced by
David Brown	....	executive producer
Robert Doudell	....	associate producer
Jake Eberts	....	co-executive producer
Alfred Uhry	....	associate producer
Lili Fini Zanuck	....	producer
Richard D. Zanuck	....	producer

Original Music by
Hans Zimmer

Cinematography by
Peter James		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Mark Warner

Production Design by
Bruno Rubeo

Art Direction by
Victor Kempster

Set Decoration by
Crispian Sallis

Costume Design by
Elizabeth McBride

Makeup Department
Lynn Barber	....	assistant makeup artist
Kevin Haney	....	makeup consultant
Philip Ivey	....	hair stylist (as Phillip Ivey)
Philip Leto	....	hair stylist (as Phil Leto)
Manlio Rocchetti	....	makeup supervisor

Production Management
Robert Doudell	....	unit production manager
Russell Paris	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Martha M. Elcan	....	second assistant director (as Martha Elcan)
Katterli Frauenfelder	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Benjamin Beresford	....	property assistant
Wren Boney	....	head set dresser
Gary Buckles	....	set dresser (as Gary L. Buckles)
Don E. Cochran	....	scenic chargeman
Tom S. Gunter	....	scenic billboards
Jeanne M. Hall	....	greensperson
Paul Huggins	....	construction foreman
Tony Kupersmith	....	construction coordinator
Kristen McGary	....	lead person (as Kris McGary)
John Oliveira	....	set dresser
Vera Smith	....	property assistant
Philip Steuer	....	property master
Karen Young	....	set dresser
Bill Zullo	....	property assistant (as William Zullo)
Steven Blutstein	....	lead man (uncredited)
Steven Blutstein	....	set dresser (uncredited)
Jeff Cronin	....	draughtsman (uncredited)
Patrick Fuhrman	....	set dresser (uncredited)
Amy McGary	....	buyer (uncredited)
Stephanie Ryan	....	additional art department assistant (uncredited)

Sound Department
Sandina Bailo-Lape	....	foley editor
Tom Bellfort	....	adr editor
Gloria S. Borders	....	supervising sound editor
Gloria Cooper	....	cableperson
Gloria Cooper	....	second boom operator
Melissa Dietz	....	dialogue editor
Clare C. Freeman	....	assistant sound editor (as Clare Freeman)
Hank Garfield	....	production sound mixer
Karen Harding	....	assistant sound editor
Robin Harlan	....	foley artist
Tim Holland	....	sound effects editor
Matthew Iadarola	....	sound re-recording mixer
Ronald Jacobs	....	dialogue editor
Michael Minkler	....	sound re-recording mixer
Matt Patterson	....	sound recordist (as Matthew Patterson)
Andy Rovins	....	boom operator
David Slusser	....	foley recordist
Kim Cascone	....	assistant foley recordist (uncredited)

Special Effects by
B.J. Shelley	....	special effects assistant
Bob Shelley	....	special effects coordinator

Visual Effects by
Tim Donahue	....	visual effects art director: Introvision (uncredited)
Richard Kilroy	....	matte painter: Introvision (uncredited)
Richard Kilroy	....	model builder (uncredited)
John P. Mesa	....	visual effects cameraman (uncredited)
William Mesa	....	visual effects supervisor (uncredited)
Rick Rische	....	matte painter: Introvision (uncredited)

Stunts
Dan Mabry	....	stunt double (as Danny Mabry)
Mags Kavanaugh	....	stunt double (uncredited)
Gene Witham	....	stunt driver (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Jeff Becker	....	best boy electric
Sam Emerson	....	still photographer (as Sam Young Emerson)
Michael Fedack	....	dolly grip (as Michael John Fedack)
David J. Frederick	....	first assistant camera (as David John Frederick)
Robert Kempf	....	key grip
David Meistrich	....	second assistant camera
Greg Morse	....	playback operator
Erich Roland	....	camera operator
Keith Sherer	....	gaffer
David Sinrich	....	best boy grip
David Reeder	....	first assistant camera: second unit (uncredited)

Casting Department
Elyn Wright	....	casting: Atlanta (as Elyn S. Wright)
Diane Alexander	....	casting assistant (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Kris Kearney	....	costumer (as Kristine Kearney)
Susan Mickey	....	costumer (as Susan E. Mickey)
Marsha Perloff	....	wardrobe supervisor

Editorial Department
Donald Likovich	....	assistant film editor
Jeremiah O'Driscoll	....	apprentice film editor
Bob Putynkowski	....	color timer
Steven Ramirez	....	first assistant film editor
Tom Shaffer	....	color timer

Music Department
Barry Levine	....	music supervisor
Laura Perlman	....	music editor
Jay Rifkin	....	music scoring mixer

Transportation Department
Cindy Parker	....	transportation captain
J.L. Parker	....	transportation coordinator
Ronald F. Debranski II	....	driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Royce D. Applegate	....	additional voice (as Royce Applegate)
Bowen Astrop	....	production assistant
Robert Ballentine	....	assistant location manager
Ronni Chasen	....	public relations
June Christopher	....	additional voice
Andrew M. Comins	....	location manager
Leigh French	....	additional voice
Nanette Guidebeck	....	assistant production coordinator
Archie Hahn	....	additional voice
Annette Haywood-Carter	....	script supervisor
Colleen Hess	....	stand-in
Bob Hoffman	....	unit publicist (as Robert Hoffman)
B.J. Hughes	....	stand-in
Jim LaClair	....	production assistant (as James LaClair)
Eugene Lee	....	additional voice
Robert E. Lee	....	production accountant
Lois Middlebrooks	....	stand-in
Charlene Murray	....	production secretary (as Charlene Murray/Rose)
Stoke T. Renigade Patterson	....	production assistant (as Stroke T. Renigade)
Letha Perkins	....	stand-in
Felton Perry	....	additional voice
Wendy Price	....	production accountant (as Wendy M. Price)
Patricia Sammons	....	craft service (as Tricia Sammons)
Judith Schefke	....	assistant to producers
Katherine Shaw	....	researcher
Ruth Silveira	....	additional voice
Mike Smith	....	police coordinator
Gregory Snegoff	....	additional voice
Eric P. Steckler	....	production accountant
Lynne Marie Stewart	....	additional voice (as Lynne Stewart)
Sean Swint	....	production assistant
Arnold F. Turner	....	additional voice (as Arnold Turner)
Leon Watkins	....	stand-in
Jonathan Watson	....	production assistant
Teresa M. Yarbrough	....	production coordinator
Frans J. Afman	....	financial services (uncredited)

Thanks
Irving Vendig	....	our gratitude to: creator-writer, "The Edge of Night"

Production Companies

• Majestic Films International
• Zanuck Company, The

Distributors

• Majestic Films International (1989) (worldwide) (all media) (rights)
• Warner Bros. Pictures (1989) (USA) (theatrical)
• Highlight Film (1990) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (1990) (UK) (theatrical)
• Warner Home Video (1990) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Warner Home Video (1992) (USA) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (1997) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Kinowelt Home Entertainment (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Finnkino (1990) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Monopole-Pathé (????) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Transmundo Films (????) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1993) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Aquarius TV (????) (Greece) (TV)
• Future Film (2009) (Finland) (DVD)
• Highlight Film (????) (Germany) (DVD)
• Indies Home Entertainment (2001) (Netherlands) (DVD) (VHS)
• Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (2002) (Finland) (TV)
• Oy Europa Vision AB (1990) (Finland) (VHS)
• Paris Vídeo (????) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Scanbox Entertainment (2000) (Finland) (video)
• Transmundo Home Video (THV) (????) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (2006) (USA) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Introvision International (special visual effects)

Other Companies

• Completion Bond Company  completion bond
• Czech Philharmonic Orchestra  orchestra: "Song to the Moon" (as Czech Philharmonic)
• D. Bassett & Associates  negative cutting
• Daisy Company  "Driving Miss Daisy" was subsequently produced Off-Broadway in 1987 by (in association with Playwrights Horizons)
• Darlin's Restaurant  our gratitude to
• Dolby Laboratories  sound post-production
• Fulton Supply Company  our gratitude to: factory location
• JDH Sound  sound re-recording
• Location Catering of the South  catering
• Outdoor Today  our gratitude to
• Pacific Title  titles and opticals
• Playhouse Horisons  "Driving Miss Daisy" was first produced off-Broadway by
• Sprocket Systems  sound services
• Varèse Sarabande  soundtrack

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Hebrew

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby | Dolby Digital (DVD version)

Certification:

Germany:6 | Iceland:L | South Korea:12 (DVD rating) | Canada:PG (Canadian Home Video rating) | Brazil:Livre | South Korea:All | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | USA:PG (#29912) | West Germany:6 | Singapore:PG | Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Quebec) | Canada:F (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

822 Lullwater Road, Druid Hills, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Company:

Majestic Films International

Trivia:

The aria heard in the azalea blossoms/time passes scene when Daisy is listening to the radio is "Song To The Moon" from Antonín Dvorák's "Rusalka".

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Hoke gets back into the car after being questioned by the police, there is foliage from two different trees grouped together, visible in the reflection of the window; probably so the audience can see Hoke through the glass. Then in the long shot of the car pulling away, there are no trees or plants close enough to the car to have caused those reflections.

Quotes:

Daisy Werthan: [Hoke and Daisy are driving to Boolie and Florene's for a Christmas party. Daisy, a Jew, is annoyed at the extraneous Christmas light displays] Everybody's wishing the Georgia Power Company a Merry Christmas.
Hoke Colburn: I bet Miss Florene got 'em all beat with the new house.
Daisy Werthan: If I had a nose like Florene's, I wouldn't go around wishing anybody a Merry Christmas!
Hoke Colburn: [laughs] Yes'm... but, I tell ya, I do enjoy a Christmas at their house.
Daisy Werthan: Of course, you're the only Christian in the place!
Hoke Colburn: Well, they got that new cook.
Daisy Werthan: [sighs] Florene never could keep help. Of course, it's none of my affair. Too much running around, if you ask me.
[Hoke agrees]
Daisy Werthan: The Garden Club this, the Junior League that... as if any of them would give her the time of day! But, she'd die before she'd fix a glass of iced tea for the Temple Sisterhood!
Hoke Colburn: [coming up on Boolie's house, looking at the gaudy light display] Oh, Lord, look what Miss Florene done done!
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Human Duplicators (#5.20)" (1992)

Soundtrack:

SONG TO THE MOON

The Growth of Affection

After watching this film for the second time I realized just how important the affection that occurs between Hoke and Daisy really is. What grows between these two is something most people only wish to have in their lives. What is so special about it, though?

From the beginning of their relationship, the two are forced to be together. Daisy is forced to have a driver and Hoke is hired on for that position. For both, the relationship is one out of need. Hoke needs a paying job and Daisy needs a driver in her old age (although, she would never admit it to anyone especially herself).

As time goes by, though, Daisy's need of Hoke becomes clearer to herself. She begins to depend on him. This is definitely made clear at the end when Hoke is feeding Daisy her pumpkin pie, and she enjoys each bite fully.

Another aspect of the movie which got to me was the great array of choices the director made with the filming. Hoke is a character of very few words but teaches Daisy so much. Morgan Freeman's acting in this character is amazing. The knowledge he shows within his eyes is one reason I almost felt closer to him than Daisy did throughout the first half of the movie. In a way, he teaches her a new way of life. He does so by showing himself truly and honestly.

Another choice the director made was in the symbolic way the film was made. The beauty of the many seasons is shown through the changes of the landscape. The trees transform from winter to spring and the streets go from sheets of ice to warm asphalt. And the cars get larger and more high tech. Time is so important in Daisy's and Hoke's affection/friendship that this is a great way to show that.

There are so many aspects of this film which I could go on and on about. It is a wonderful film of which any person can get a fulfilling movie watching experience out of. They can also learn a lot from it, too! Watch it.