Illustration of Helen Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan

The Miracle Worker

by William Gibson

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Media Adaptations

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The Miracle Worker was initially written for television and aired on CBS's Playhouse 90 in February 1957. Teresa Wright played Annie, while Patty McCormack took on the role of Helen.

The 1962 film adaptation of The Miracle Worker was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Adapted by Gibson himself and directed by Arthur Penn, the movie stars Anne Bancroft as Annie and Patty Duke as Helen. Both actresses also starred in the original Broadway production of the play. This film is available on videocassette.

The 1979 television remake of The Miracle Worker features Patty Duke as Annie and Melissa Gilbert as Helen. This version is available on videocassette from Warner Home Video. Notably, it uses the same script as the original Playhouse 90 production.

Bibliography and Further Reading

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SOURCES
Brustein, Robert. "Two for the Miracle," in The New Republic, Vol. 144, no. 19, November 9, 1959, pp. 28-29.

Duprey, Richard A. "An Enema for the People" in his book Just Off the Aisle: The Ramblings of a Catholic Critic, Newman Press, 1962, pp. 135-46.

Hayes, Richard. "Images" in Commonweal, Vol LXXI, no. 10, December 4, 1959, p. 289.

FURTHER READING
Atkinson, Brooks. "Miracle Worker. Two Strong Minds and Two Strong Players" in The New York Times, November 1, 1959, p. 1.

A positive review of the play's Broadway debut, where Atkinson praises both Gibson's writing and the performances of the lead actresses.

Contemporary Literary Criticism, Volume 23, Gale, 1983.

Offers a comprehensive analysis of Gibson's work, including critiques of several of his plays, such as The Miracle Worker.

Dictionary of Literary Biography, Volume 7: Twentieth Century American Dramatists, Gale, 1981.

Provides a detailed overview of Gibson's career, with discussions on various pieces of his work.

Tynan, Kenneth. "Ireland Unvanquished" in The New Yorker, Vol. XXXV, no. 37, October 31, 1959, pp. 131-36.

A mixed review of The Miracle Worker that ultimately critiques the play as somewhat exploitative.

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Historical and Social Context

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