During World War II, hard-luck farmer Colvis Nevels leaves his rural Kentucky home to take a factory job in bustling Detroit. Reluctantly accompanying Colvis is his long-suffering wife, Gertie, a talented woodcarver set in her traditional ways. When the perils of city life and Colvis' reckless squandering of money send the Nevels into precarious financial straits, Gertie starts a business making hand-carved dolls in order to provide for her family.
Acting
Fonda's physical transformation — watch how she holds her shoulders.
Production
The contrast between Kentucky hollers and Detroit's crushing concrete.
Practical Effects
Gertie's dolls — each one visibly hand-carved, no prop department shortcuts.
Director
Daniel Petrie
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on Harriette Arnow's 1954 novel, which took 13 years to adapt — producers feared audiences couldn't handle a female protagonist this unglamorous.
Levon Helm was drumming with The Band when cast; his authentic Appalachian presence grounded Fonda's Method theatrics in documentary realism.
US
