Savannah Smiles is a 1982 family comedy film directed by Pierre De Moro and starring Mark Miller, Bridgette Andersen and Donovan Scott. The film follows the adventures of a spunky six-year-old girl named Savannah Denton (Andersen) who runs away from her uncaring father and ends up being taken in by two crooks on the run. With its heartwarming story and memorable characters, Savannah Smiles has become a cult classic over the years. But is the movie actually based on real-life events?
The Origins of Savannah Smiles
Savannah Smiles was written by Mark Miller, who also stars in the film as one of the crooks who befriend Savannah. Miller came up with the story premise and screenplay completely from his own imagination – there is no specific true story that the movie is based on.
In a 2009 interview, Miller explained how he was inspired to write Savannah Smiles after going through a painful divorce. As a single father struggling to raise his young daughter, he began imagining what it would be like if his little girl ran away and got mixed up with some eccentric characters. This formed the genesis for the unlikely trio at the heart of the film – runaway Savannah and wanted criminals Alvie and Boots.
So while the film’s narrative is fictional, Miller drew from some of his real-life experiences as a dad to create the relationships and character dynamics. He focused on crafting an uplifting father-daughter story, even if the circumstances surrounding it were imaginary.
Is There a Real-Life Savannah?
Since Savannah Smiles is not based on a specific true event, the young character of Savannah Denton is not modeled after any one real-life person either. Bridgette Andersen was cast in the lead role and she brings lots of spunk and personality to the part of Savannah.
With her hair in braided pigtails, mismatched kneecaps and infectious smile, Andersen makes the precocious Savannah completely believable. The performance earned her a Young Artist Award nomination for Best Young Motion Picture Actress.
In a way, the character represents childhood innocence and resilience. Savannah maintains a positive spirit and sense of adventure despite the neglect from her wealthy father. She chooses to run towards life, rather than let her unhappy home situation defeat her.
The Film’s Strong Sense of Place
While Savannah Smiles is fictional at its core, it has a strong sense of place, being distinctly set in the southern states of America. Right from the opening credits, there are images of Spanish moss hanging from trees and sweeping landscape shots of the Georgia countryside.
The accents, cadences, and dialects of the characters help transport viewers to this southern world. There are also references to regional details like catfish stew, cornbread, and RC Cola. Alvie and Boots are presented as backwoods amateur crooks way out of their element up north.
Using the Georgia setting as backdrop was a deliberate choice by the filmmakers. The languid, pastoral atmosphere formed an ironic contrast to the unfolding comedic action. It also heightened the feeling of Savannah entering a new world, far removed from her previous life.
The Importance of Tone and Relationships
While grounding the story in realism was not the main priority, director Pierre De Moro still strove to capture emotional honesty. He filmed on location in Georgia and emphasized establishing believable chemistry between the three central characters.
A good portion of the film focuses solely on Savannah’s growing relationships with Alvie and Boots. Their interactions have an authentic familial quality, as the three individuals start to care for each other. Tender moments like Savannah helping Alvie learn to read show her value being recognized.
The subject matter of a young child finding connection with criminals had to be handled delicately. De Moro aimed to make the relationships feel warm-hearted rather than dubious. The comedic tone also prevented the unlikely friendships from seeming too serious or risky.
Critical Reception Upon Release
When Savannah Smiles was released in theaters in October 1982, reviews were quite mixed. Some critics praised the film as a charming, inoffensive family story, while others found it too silly and contrived.
Esteemed critic Roger Ebert wrote a positive review, awarding the film 3 out of 4 stars. He commended it as “disarmingly sweet” and appreciated the lack of mean-spiritedness or sleazy exploitation.
Conversely, Janet Maslin of The New York Times felt the central relationships lacked authenticity. She criticized the film for being “a fantasy rather than a comedy.”
Audiences connected more with the favorable reviews. Savannah Smiles performed well at the box office, earning over $20 million. It stood out for its sincerity during a time when raunchier comedies were in vogue.
Lasting Popularity as a Family Film
While it did not receive unanimously glowing reviews, Savannah Smiles has endured as a beloved family film thanks to its big heart. It offers wholesome humor, lively characters, and a positive central message about finding friendship in unexpected places.
Over the years, the movie has built up a reputation as a hidden gem from the 1980s. Today it maintains a devoted fan base of kids and parents who fondly remember growing up watching it on VHS or cable TV.
Savannah Smiles continues to attract new viewers seeking an entertaining all-ages viewing option. While fictional, the film’s goofy charm and spirit have proven widely appealing.
Legacy and Influence
Though Savannah Smiles did not spawn any direct sequels or spin-offs, the movie did leave a endearing stamp on popular culture. Images of a beaming Bridgette Andersen with braided pigtails became iconic representations of childhood joy. Her performance as the spunky heroine Savannah was a memorable star-making turn.
The film also helped inspire more family-friendly road trip movies where unlikely companions are thrown together. It paved the way for later films like Blank Check and Rain Man which also paired children with unconventional adult guardians.
Savannah Smiles remains embedded in the cultural consciousness thanks especially to airings on cable channels like Disney. Multiple generations have grown up watching and loving the film over the past four decades.
Conclusion
While Savannah Smiles is not based specifically on actual people or events, it has still resonated deeply with audiences since its release. The heartwarming story struck a chord through its spirit of fun, friendship, and family.
Mark Miller was able to craft an original narrative that felt truthful emotionally. Under Pierre De Moro’s deft direction, the cast’s memorable performances also lent the film authenticity.
Ultimately, it is the power of Savannah Smiles’ uplifting tone and positive relationships that make the movie so beloved. The story demonstrates how new bonds can blossom between disparate individuals in unforeseen ways. This timeless message continues to make Savannah Smiles a treasured family viewing staple decades later.
