
Episode #66
066 Steel Magnolias: Southern Sass, Sisterhood & a Whole Lot of Tears
This week, we're following up our recent conversation about Dolly Parton with one of her most beloved film roles: Steel Magnolias . Released in 1989 and based on Robert Harling's autobiographical play, Steel Magnolias tells the story of a group of women in a small Southern town whose lives intersect at Truvy's beauty salon. Beneath all the gossip, teasing, wedding preparations and Southern one-liners is a deeply moving story about friendship, family, loss and resilience. And yes... we're going to need tissues. We talk about the incredible ensemble cast, including Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis and a young Julia Roberts in one of her earliest major film roles. We also discuss the casting of Meg Ryan, who left the project to make When Harry Met Sally... , and the intriguing story Robert Harling told about Bette Davis and Katharine Hepburn supposedly wanting roles in the film. We'll also get into some fascinating behind-the-scenes details, including the fact that the movie was filmed in Natchitoches, Louisiana, the real-life connection to the nurse who appears in Shelby's death scene, and how Dolly Parton and Daryl Hannah received beauty-school training to make their salon scenes believable. But what makes Steel Magnolias especially meaningful to us is how authentically Southern it feels. The beauty-shop gossip, the sharp banter, the strong personalities and the women who can insult you with a smile all feel very familiar. We even share some memories of our own Southern family and those legendary "beauty parlor" and quilting-circle conversations. And, of course, we have to talk about the quotes! From "I'm not crazy, M'Lynn. I've just been in a very bad mood for forty years" to "If you can't say something nice about someone, come sit by me," Steel Magnolias is packed with lines that have become part of pop culture. We'll also discuss the television pilot, the 2012 Lifetime remake, whether the movie still holds up today, and whether being Southern makes us appreciate it a little differently. Plus, we've apparently decided that a trip to Natchitoches is now required — preferably one involving a stay in Shelby's pink bedroom. So grab some tissues, sit back, and join us for a conversation about one of our favorite Southern movies. Because sometimes you need a movie that makes you laugh, cry, and say, "Bless your heart."

