Tell Me a Riddle (1980)
A tender story of rediscovering love, “Tell Me a Riddle” benefits from a talented cast that includes three Oscar-winners: Melvyn Douglas, Lila Kedrova and Lee Grant, who here makes her feature debut as a director.
The adaptation of Tillie Olsen’s novella depicts a trip to San Francisco that’s bound to bring change.
At the center is the tender, long (four decades) relationship between a dying woman (Kedrova) and her husband (Douglas).
Brooke Adams plays the couple’s granddaughter, who may be able to help them rekindle a spirit of openness and hope.
It was the first feature film in America to be written, produced and directed by women; the first women’s film to raise more than $1 million and to receive major studio distribution.
It wat was also the first woman-created film to screen in the Cannes Film Fest sidebar, “Directors’ Fortnight.
Acting Kudos:
The film won Best Picture and Best Actor at Edinburgh Film Fest and Best Actress Award at Italy’s Taormia Film Fest.
Cast
Melvyn Douglas as David
Lila Kedrova as Eva
Brooke Adams as Jeannie
Peter Coyote as Young D
Nora Heflin as Young Eva
Zalman King as Paul
Home Video: Director’s Showcase: Take Three
Five films:
Personal Best,
Tell Me a Riddle,
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter,
Payday,
The Ritz
On January 8, 2007, Warner Home Video introduced “Director’s Showcase: Take Three,” the third group of films honoring the first-time DVD releases of Personal Best, Tell Me a Riddle, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, Payday and The Ritz.
Featured directors include Robert Towne, Lee Grant, Robert Ellis Miller, Daryl Duke and Richard Lester. The films new transfers and select titles include bonus features such as commentaries and additional scenes.
Each title will sell individually for $19.97.
