If We Had A Patreon: Norma Rae

You Might Know Her From

What if we had a Patreon? That’s what we’re exploring this week as we continue to stand in solidarity with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA. In lieu of a new actor interview we’re book clubbing 1979’s Norma Rae starring Sally Field, Beau Bridges, and Ron Leibman. Norma Rae is inspired by the real story of mill workers unionizing in rural North Carolina. We get into all the important parts: Ron Leibman being hot, Burt Reynolds advising Sally not to do the film, and the beautiful appearance of legendary character actress Grace Zabriskie in a small role. The film is a small quiet human story about the importance of labor unions and it felt like the right time to correct our blindspot and screen it. Also discussed this episode: the Debra Winger-Barbra Hershey led film A Dangerous Woman, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Mandy Patinkin vs. Toni Collette.

Follow us on social media:

@youmightknowherfrom || @damianbellino || @rodemanne

A Dangerous Woman (1993)

Mandy vs. Tony in the Wild Party

Norma Rae (1979)

Director: Martin Ritt

Screenplay: Irving Ravetch & Harriet Frank Jr

Best Song: “So It Goes” (David Shire, ex-husband of Talia Shire and current husband of Didi Conn)

Sally Field’s Oscar speech (1980)

Jane Fonda, Marsha Mason, Faye Dunaway and Jill Clayburgh turned down the role of Norma Rae

Ron Leibman was Roy Cohn in the original Broadway cast of Angels in America

Ron Leibman’s first wife was Linda Lavin and his second wife was Jessica Walter

Shirley MacLaine clip “A dancer died at the top of these stairs”