Martha Henry Movies

Megan Follows, who literally grew up before the viewers' eyes as star of the Canadian TV series Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea, returns to the role of Lucy Maud Montgomery's plucky Canadian lass Anne Shirley in this four-hour TV miniseries. In the second decade of the 20th century, all grown up and a professional schoolteacher, Anne returns to Prince Edward Island after the death of her mentor, Marilla Cutherbert (played by the late Coleen Dewhurst in stock-footage flashbacks). Soon thereafter, Anne heads to New York City, intending to marry her physician fiancé, Gilbert Blythe (Jonathan Crombie), and, hopefully, to find success as an author. Alas, Anne's first manuscript is stolen by charming scoundral, Jack Garrison Jr. (Cameron Daddo), while Gilbert is defeated by the internal politicking and red tape of a big-city hospital. The couple is about to relocate to their native Canada when WWI breaks out, whereupon Gilbert dutifully signs up for military service. When word arrives that Gilbert is missing in action, Anne courageously heads off to wartorn France in hopes of finding her husband -- only to become mixed up in an espionage plot that also involves the redoubtable Jack Garrison. Originally telecast in Canada beginning March 5, 2000, Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story was seen in the United States courtesy of PBS on July 23 and 30, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The present unfolds along with scenes from the past in this intense psychological drama about Edna (Martha Henry), a woman in the hospital who each day writes down her memories. Edna cannot (or will not) talk to her doctor, and nurses have to take care of her ordinary needs, including making her eat when meals arrive. Edna's stark hospital surroundings give way to the bright colors of her homelife as her memories surface while she writes. She is a devoted housewife, an excellent cook, and in love with her husband. Her husband Harry (Neil Munro) often compliments her on her cooking, fills their conversations with his life at work, and they seem quite normal if perhaps a little boring. But then something happens that will change Edna's attitude toward herself, resulting in a hospital stay, and her stubborn unwillingness to talk. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

This slightly abridged version of Eugene O'Neill's classic play was originally staged by director David Wellington at the prestigious Stratford Festival in Canada. In order to better fit the unusually designed stage at the Tom Patterson Theatre where the production was staged, Wellington utilized minimal sets. To maintain a keen emotional edge, he filmed the play in sequence. The somewhat autobiographical story chronicles the strife within a dysfunctional Irish family. The mother is a morphine addict; the cheapskate father is an alcoholic. Their sons are caught in the middle between the couple's endless struggles as is the family maid. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In this drama, the province of Quebec tries to free all Canadian speakers of French. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Set in the years before World War I, this film is about Robert, a young man growing up in a wealthy family in Toronto who is burdened by a distant, cool mother and a father dedicated to duty, both highly conservative people. When Robert loses his beloved invalid sister in a car accident he is further tormented by the family's decision to kill her pet rabbits - and quarrels with them so intensely that he enlists in the army and goes off to war. Once "over there," he discovers brothels and romance, and in a climactic scene, decides to free a barn full of horses from certain death - in spite of contrary orders from his superiors. The juxtaposition of Robert's internal conflict and the external horrors of combat may have been intended to illustrate the nature of "war," although that is difficult to surmise since the evidence in the film is not that strong. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide