Steel Magnolias

Steel Magnolias is a 1989 movie originally released by Tri-Star Pictures, and a stage play with the same name. It is a comedy-drama about a group of southern women in northwest Louisiana.

The film
The movie begins just before Shelby's (Julia Roberts) wedding to Jackson (Dylan McDermott). The movie takes place mainly in Truvy's Beauty Parlor. It covers events over the next several years, including Shelby's decision to have a son despite being diabetic and the consequences that resulted from the decision.

The movie goes into the friendship of the women who regularly gather at Truvy's Beauty Parlor. The unlikely friendship between Clairee and Ouiser; Annelle's transformations from a shy, anxious young woman, to a partying woman, then to a religious fanatic; and Truvy's relationships with her son and husband (or lack thereof). Although the main storyline involves Shelby and her mother, the underlying group friendship is prominent throughout the film.

Starring Dolly Parton (Truvy Jones), Olympia Dukakis (Clairee Belcher), Shirley MacLaine (Ouiser Boudreaux), Darryl Hannah (Annelle Dupuy), Sally Field (M'Lynn Eatenton), and Julia Roberts (Shelby Eatenton). Roberts herself was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

The screenplay was based on the stage play by Robert Harling.

At the wedding reception, a red velvet cake made in the shape of an armadillo was served as the groom's cake, becoming a part of popular culture.

The movie was filmed in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and was released in the United States on November 15, 1989. It would go on to gross more than US$83.7 million there.

The Stage Play
The stage play is still popular today being shown in many theatres across the United States. The writer of the play was Robert Harling. The stage play is the same story line, but has only the six lady charactes of Clairee, Ouiser, Annelle, Truvy, M'Lynn, and Shelby.

Clairee
She is a lady that comes to the beauty shop to get her hair done. She plays throughout as a snobby like character.

Ouiser
As many peoples favorite character, Ouiser is a mean, ruthless lady. She has some famous lines such as, "That's it! I found it!  I am in HELL!", or, "Don't try to get on my good side, I no longer have one!". She is the one that everyone doesn't like till the end when she softens up a little bit.

Truvy
The owner of the beauty whop where everyone who's anyone goes. She plays a "good" character who is always wanting the best of the situation. She has lines such as "Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion".

Annelle
Annelle is the new one of the bunch, she has just moved into town. She doesn't know `if` she has a husband. He took off with her car and she hasn't seen him since. She starts out as a very shy girl, as the story progresses so does she into a partying girl, and then to the very religious girl who is always praying about something.

M'Lynn
M'Lynn is the mother of Shelby who loses her daughter in the end. She is opposed to Shelby having a baby and says that she should adopt. M'Lynn is usually played by someone with blonde hair and younger looking.

Shelby
Shelby is the one is marrying Jackson, she is diabetic and has a stroke towards the middle of the story. She ends up having her baby and dying shortly after.

This play comes with a stage set up, lights cues, and sound cues.