His off-Broadway play became a hit and was then turned into a Hollywood blockbuster in 1989 starring Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley Maclaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis - and a young and unknown Julia Roberts, then just 19, who played Shelby, the character based on Susan. I can make food for Johnny [Harlings younger brother], I can whip Mama and Daddy into line, but I dont know how to help you, and I wish I could. Even when she was sick, shed come home from the hospital and make a box of brownies and send them to me. Laughter was very important to her. Many people can quote the movie line for line, but don't realize how the fictionalized group of women are grounded in reality. Later I thought, This play needs to be somewhere there can be no men, which was, of course, the beauty parlor, and I started putting the characters together. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. All Id have to do was listen to her read the lines to realize when things were too verbose. As we were going into production, Michael and Kathy Weller asked me what my parents thought about the play, and I said I hadnt told them. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Then, I put seed out for the hungry travelers like these red-winged black birds and bronzed cow birds. Harling's longtime friend Shirley MacLaine believes the play was channeled by Susan, and he tends to agree. The extended family was careful not to push that story on Susan's son, now in his mid-30s, leaving it, instead, for him to discover on his own time. Clairee says. Then he said, I was thinking that Id love to see Dolly do Truvy. And I almost choked on my pizza bread. Drag images here or select from your computer for Laura Susan Harling Robinson memorial. My sister had to die for all that to happen. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. When Will '1923' Return with New Episodes? It only ran for four weeks at the WPA, and we all wanted to figure out how to keep it going. Its an incurable, unpredictable horrible disease. All rights reserved. In the movie, Shelby the character based on Susan is played by Julia Roberts. Michael is a wonderful playwright [, York to see it, I was really worried because Ouisers such a crotchety old curmudgeon. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? He recently returned from a trip to Europe where he watched a French production. This account has been disabled. Sadly, the transplant didnt work. Remember, Ive been down here since 1978, and was in Farmerville for three years after college graduation. Everybody likes me. Im leaving. Thank God it didnt stick. Country Living editors select each product featured. Welcome, Wendy, and thanks for sharing. It was really hot. Shed come over, and Daddy would cook hamburgers and theyd talk, and shed write poetry and shed read us the poetry, and Dolly would come over and sit on the sofa and play her guitar. She in no way resembled the character, he says. They were just flummoxedI wasnt a writer. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. "They usually don't last this long. MARGO MARTINDALE Bobby and I were introduced by our commercial agent, and it was instant love. Complications ensued. You think of this flower that is so delicate and has to be handled with care, but is actually made of much stronger stuff.. At the corner of Pine and Cypress streets is a small memorial park dedicated to Susan Harling Robinson, whose name may not mean anything to you, but the film her story inspired almost certainly will. ", The metaphor of "steel magnolia" isn't expounded upon in the play or film, though Harling says the juxtaposition of strength and fragility is apt for Southern women. Truvys all about heart, and Dolly Parton has a big heart. I asked her if that was a private home. Shes Shelby. I thought, Okay, I can breathe now, my sisters in good hands., SHIRLEY MACLAINE The moment Julia walked into the reading, I thought, That woman is going to be a star. I called my agent and said, I dont know if she has an agent, but you should handle her.. Meg Ryan was originallyapproached to play Shelby, Only a few days after Ryan was approached for the role of Shelby, she declined to star in "When Harry Met Sally. The last time I talked to Susan was on her birthday, October 7 [1985]. I put money into it and Connie Shulman [the actress who played Annelle] did, and Bobbys family did too. My mother was a nurse and Susan wanted to be a paediatric nurse, she wanted to be around babies.. Susan was crazy, insane in love with her young son and worshipped him, even though they were often forced them apart as she was made to spend long spells in hospital where Robert couldnt visit her. "She said, 'They're still with you and they're on stage somewhere in the world every night,'" Harling said. And lo and behold, every woman in town was saying, He based Ouiser on me., photo: Tristar Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection. Its unfair to make a four-year-old think my mom died because of me. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. ", 4. I said, Its got to be a painful thing for them. A peaceful fountain forms the centerpiece of the park, with benches placed around for silent meditation. ROBERT HARLING I knew the actress Margo Martindale, who is now a huge star, and I wrote the role of Truvy for her. . Its about you and Susan and the whole thing. But shes a Steel Magnoliashe was going to read it. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Even as a young child, Susans career goal was to follow in her mother Margarets footsteps and become a nurse. Theres a line about the sweet magnolia that originally had been steel magnolia, and she played it for my parents as she was writing it. The reality, Robert says, is more passive. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Herbert said, Its a wonderful Hollywood move. And its kind of turned out that way, actually. She sang in the First Presbyterian Church choir. He now lives in Austin and is happily engaged to a wonderful woman. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. Suddenly two huge fireballs shot past my window, and everyone began to run toward the nearest elevators. . Oops, we were unable to send the email. She would be so pleased if those visiting this tranquil spot would take a moment to think of those neighbors, friends, and family who love and support and inspire you. Robert Harling. He TRULY loved that woman! 30 years on, Natchitoches still a popular destination for 'Steel Magnolias' fans. Kathy said, You werent there through all of that pain, you didnt watch your child die. . Funeral services for Robert May Harling Jr. will be Saturday, Aug. 3 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Natchitoches with the Rev. "Susan was my best friend," Harling told TODAY's Erica Hill. Meg Ryan turned them down. But when you put it in a theatrical situation, people respond to the honesty of it. Clairee came from a fabulous aunt in South Carolina, and his sisters best friend was named Ouiser. The movie has inspired others to give back. Harling did not tell his parents he had written the play until just before it opened at the WPA, but hed sent versions back and forth to his brother, John, who was working in Philadelphia. Years later, his father would buy his mother a tear-shaped diamond necklace that she would never take off - and tell her this is the last tear. BW. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Laura Robinson (8696788)? The photos shows Susan and her son, as well as Julia Roberts and her movie son. Stressed and distraught, Harling was advised by his fellow acting class workshop members to put his thoughts on paper. To get more in-depth on the story, Susan had been wanting to have children, but doctors told her that she could potentially jeopardize her health as she was dealing with type 1 diabetes. And that was it. The recipient of that kidney will be celebrating his 35th wedding anniversary this fall, and the donor wrote Harling to say that he will be raising a toast in the writer's honor. "I thought somebody would find it in a drawer when they were throwing out my stuff after I was dead," he says. . Please enter your email and password to sign in. photo: United ArchivesGmbH/Alamy Stock Photo. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. We launched at Grand Ecore and fished the Red River and the Clarence Oxbow. A system error has occurred. The circus had come to town. It chronicles the lives of Susan Harling, her mother Margaret Harling and the community of witty, strong and loving women that supported them through good times and bad. I remember the manager of the store saying to a local reporter, Yep, if it hadnt been for Herbert Ross, nobody around here would know the difference between osetra and beluga.. He stood there and listened for a while and said Ah! Harling wrote the play in 10 days. Assuming your son. In many ways, Harling has done for his hometown what Chip and Joanna Gaines have done for Waco, Texas. Thanks for the update. Michael Dukakis [Olympias cousin] was running for president that summer, so Olympia was all involved and spoke at the Democratic convention. That's part of their mystique and their allure, the fact that [Southern women] are completely unpredictable and undefinable.". It was about her fight with diabetes and her death . The 32 year old Susan left behind her husband Dr Pat Robinson and their two-year-old son Robert after years of battling diabetes. However, he recalls calling his nephew one day as a young child, who proudly proclaimed that he was a cool kid at school, smiling: Roberts a very handsome man now, but he was a preemie, and at that age he was skinny not the definition of cool! While the name Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie is made up, the character is based on a very real person named Susan Harling Robinson. Is it time Harry & Meghan accept Clarkson's apology and move on? Julia came in, and it was like somebody bumped up the lights. Sorry! Harling's work, with elements of tragedy and comedy, was inspired by the playwright's hometown of Natchitoches and the death of his sister, Susan Harling Robinson, in 1985 due to complications from diabetes. That was a statement, not a joke. Susan was diagnosed with diabetes when she 12 and said well, this isnt going to stop me, according to Robert. She died during minor surgery in 1985, at the age of 33. Toast to my sister, Susan,'" Harling said. "I wrote him back and I said, 'Save your toast to me. This browser does not support getting your location. [Roberts grew up in Smyrna, Georgia.] The 32 year old Susan left behind her husband Dr Pat Robinson and their two-year-old son Robert after years of battling diabetes. With nothing but the knowledge that it was on the corner of Cypress and something, I headed out with camera in hand early Saturday morning before the group field trip to the USFWS fish hatchery. Susan had been cautioned about the complications of having children, given her severe diabetes. ROBERT HARLING Ray said, Why dont we shoot it where it happened? That was unheard-ofnormally youd find your locations in the Valley and in L.A., but Ray insisted. We moved the play to the Lucille Lortel. The feedback was Its not commercial because its a bunch of women and it takes place in a beauty parlor, but well send it out. Well, all these people wanted to do it. Shirley is from Virginia, and Sally had done Places in the Heart and Norma Rae, and then of course theres Dolly. 2007-2023 Garden & Gun Magazine LLC. Then, eight years after his arrival, his beloved younger sister, Susan, who had been a diabetic since she was twelve, got sick. You look forward to seeing more of this story another day. 9. Being there was just one of those moments that transcends words. She said, "Good luck," and they rolled her down to the operating room. Susan helped Harlingwrite the "hit me" scene. Im sure your emotions were in high gear all weekend. He'd been in New York for eight years at that point, a period during which Susan had married and decided to start a family, despite doctors' concerns that doing so could seriously jeopardize her health. Please click on the images to see larger version and to read the original captions. We thought we were just talking like the people from that part of the country talk. But she never let her disease inhibit or alter her life in any way. Candlelight service, left to right: Daboo, Captain, Termite, Miah, Danno. I am determined to lean more on the Giver of all Gifts for the wisdom to know how to best care for the Gifts Ive been givento know which ones are worth keeping, which ones can be re-gifted, and which ones are not even worthy of the scrap pile. In February, 1983, Susan and Patrick had a son, Robert. The play wasnt even originally supposed to be a comedy. She then died during surgery in 1985 at the young age of 33. Robert admits he had no idea there was any comedy in the play until audiences started laughing. So many people dont know the film is based on a true story. Mr. Robinson, who was 40 years old, was found unconscious by his wife, Nan, in their West Hollywood home. He is one of the most genuine and drawing people that i think i . ", .css-g0owdm{display:block;font-family:Memphis,Georgia,Times,Serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0.625rem;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-g0owdm:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 40.625rem){.css-g0owdm{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-g0owdm{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 61.25rem){.css-g0owdm{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}}100 Best Birthday Wishes For Your Ride-or-Die, Kelly Clarkson Guest Stars on 'The Rookie', Folks Can't Stop Talking About Katie Holmes' Pants, Why 1883 Fans Are Asking Tim McGraw to Be Safe, Fans Are Going Wild For Luke Bryan's Announcement. Robert Harling, the author and creator of Steel Magnolias, lost his sister Susan Harling-Robinson, from diabetic complications. Theres a moment where Ouiser has just had a tirade about how she hates kids, and people are parking on her lawn, and shes really spewing anger, and MLynn says, Well, Ouiser, if thats really the way you feel, you should come down to the mental guidance center and talk to somebody. It would make her very happy to know you are experiencing it now. "He knew she was so special that it took the biggest star in the world to play her," says Harling. 14:14 GMT 28 Mar 2014 But there was just something about the name that fit., ROBERT HARLING All the characters were based on real people, Mamas friends. The Oscar winner was the last to be hired and Robert reveals the role was originally offered to Meg Ryan however, on the day they offered her the part, she won the lead in When Harry Met Sally. It was riotously funny and played straight as an arrow. 25 bestselling must-haves for your winter wardrobe starting at $11. She never complained about anything. But Harling said one of the film's stars, MacLaine, helped him realize that no one's really gone. Julia Roberts as Shelby and Sally Fields as MLynn after the wedding scene in the film. ", 13. Plus, long lasting at night. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Showing a strength and love equal to Susans determination for a normal life, Susans mother Margaret donated one of her kidneys. photo: Northwestern State University at Louisiana, Next, Herbert said, I really like Daryl Hannah for I thought he was going to the Shelby place, but before he got there, he said Annelle. She was a candy striper at Natchitoches Parish Hospital. Try again later. Robert said: She walked into the room and that smile lit everything up and I said thats my sister, so she joined the party and she was magnificent., Director Herbert Ross was notoriously tough on newcomer Julia, who would go on to be nominated for her first Oscar for Steel Magnolias. 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