This is one of the best movies (TV or otherwise) ever made. It came out in the '80s, when made for television movies rivaled feature films, in terms of quality, especially the miniseries. As the title indicates, this is the story of Barbara Hutton, the Woolworth heiress. The story follows Hutton from her childhood to her death at the age of 65. Along the way she marries several times and loses a lot of money and the love of a son, all in a quest to find real love. Farrah Fawcett is INCREDIBLE as Hutton, portraying the socialite for the majority of the movie. I personally think this and "The Burning Bed" are her two best movies ever, and they really allowed her to show her range as a really, really good and often underappreciated actress. If this had been a feature film, should would have certainly won an Oscar for it. Not to mention an international who's who of a supporting cast. For a four-hour movie, the plot moves along at a good pace and the story feels complete, with no aspect of the story seeming rushed or unfinished. It really feels like everyone involved worked really hard to make a really good movie. Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story
Thanks to A & E for AT LAST bringing this lavish mini-series in it's full version.
The story of Barbara Hutton is brought to life in this Lester Persky produced story of glamour, glitz, wealth and true heartbreak.
Millions were spent on this production, and it shows. Fantastic locations, an excellent international cast support Farrah Fawcett in the role of a lifetime.
If anyone ever wondered if Farrah could act, this project proved that she is FANTASTIC. The story covers 60 years , and Farrah brings life to the adult Barbara Hutton , in perfection.
As you move through the story, you care about and like Hutton, though she made horrid decisions which in the end destroyed her.
Those who enjoy costume design will find nirvana in this production- perfect copies of designer goods for the period.
The show stopper here may well be the jewelry, primarily provided by Harry Winston. Most was real,and some were copies but all were breathtaking.
( After the show ran, Farrah sold copies of the Winston items on HSN, which are truly collectable and worth a fortune now).
I urge you to try this 2 DVD set - it a great story,and well produced in every way. Some of the scenes are violent, which may be a concern to some. Rest assured, they exist in the plot to move the story along and are done with care.
The (sadly) few extras consist of the ad's promoting each two hour block of the story.
Odd box art is very stark, and does NOT suggest the lush production inside!
And I forgot to mention the music-- perfection again!
I will not spoil it for you, but the last shot, with a voice over is chilling.
You will love this!
UPDATE AUG 2009:
Watched this again, with friends who had not seen this. What a nice tribute to Farrah - I am quite sure she would be happy to know that people continue to enjoy her work, particularly in her more dramatic roles. This mini-series is is rich, and so well produced.
Sadly, one (well, me at least) can't overlook the irony of of the core story - Barbara Hutton made choices in her life, and particularly in relation to men, that did not turn out well.
Farrah plays Hutton so well, so knowingly, it is truly touching. A central plot element is her love for her son, and illness at the end of her life, surrounded by some who were taking advantage of her.
Farrah was a sensational actress, and this was one of her best role's. I urge you to try this one.
The words in the Title (above) are words from the song, "Ain't We Got Fun." If you listen for it, you'll hear it in the backround throughout this epic of American "Royalty."
Even her fabulous wealth didn't quell Barbara Hutton's feelings of insecurity and self-image. All she thought she was was a source of financial aid to everyone else around her. Beyond the magnificent Cartier emeralds, pearls from Tiffany & Co. and Harry Winston's diamonds, the homes she had all around the world and the lifestyle only a few could keep up with, she was never sure if she was truely happy or just mesmorized by all the sparkle.
The attention to period details has had me impressed since the first time viewed. Every detail was perfect. The wealthy people's "attitude" was particulary detailed. They had much too much time on their hands!
You don't watch this film, you live it. It envelopes you within it's silken threads and holds you tight until it wants to let you go. In my case, it never let go.
"In the meantime, in-Between time, Ain't We Got Fun..."
1987's POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL: THE BARBRA HUTTON STORY was quite an event when it aried 22 years ago. This is a stellar mini-series and am so glad it's been given a DVD release. The true story is often sad and tragic despite the fact Miss Hutton was loaded, heir to the Woolworth fortune. She lost her mother early on to suicide, her father didn't want her, and spent her life longing and looking for genuine love. This was often a difficult task for her due to her early childhood imprinting, as well as the often impossible task to ever know if people like you for you - or your bank balance. She did have a few real friends and her loyal gay cousin Jimmy, but even those through time, drugs, and for multible psychological reasons deterorated or she destroyed. Barbara even had a son who sadly was sometimes neglected by her repeating the same emotional abandoment she herself was so scared by. Despite all the drama you feel deeply for her and realize people often genuinely can't teach you what they themselves don't know. To break family cycles of belief and behavior is much easier said than done - this story being a prime example. FARRAH FAWCETT is simply astounding as the complex tortured Miss Hutton. Her performance is multi-faceted and she truely dazzles in what I believe is one of her best dramatic pieces. FARRAH exhibits the full spectrum of the emotion palette brilliantly and you find astounding facial subtlties that are so real throughout her portrayal - the pain, grief, and sometimes joy all seep from the haunted well that resides in Barbra. I find MISS FAWCETT to be an underated creative artist, and now that her soul has recently left us - maybe her work will be re-evalulated and seen for what it is. Along with FARRAH'S fine craft it's great to see her looking fabulous in all this vintage garb she adorns. They spent a fortune on this mini-series and it shows in its international locations, Harry Winston jewels, and period fashions that are to die for. The other actors are also quite good, and its great to experience a class act production from beginning to end. R.I.P FARRAH - you will be missed !!!!! - Costume Design - Miniseries - Drama - Actress'
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