Cross Creek (film)

Cross Creek

Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	1983
Founder	Martin Ritt (director), Robert Radnitz (producer)
Products	Biographical drama film
Parent	EMI Films, Universal Pictures

Cross Creek is a 1983 American film blending biography, drama, and romance, featuring Mary Steenburgen portraying The Yearling author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. Directed by Martin Ritt, the movie adapts Rawlings's 1942 memoir titled Cross Creek.

Plot

Set in 1928 New York, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, an aspiring writer, informs her husband about the rejection of her latest manuscript and reveals her purchase of an orange grove in Florida, deciding to separate and relocate. When her car breaks down, she receives assistance from local resident Norton Baskin, who helps her reach the rundown property she intends to restore despite initial uncertainties.

Rawlings engages with the community around her: Marsh Turner and his daughter Ellie, who cares for a pet deer named Flag; and Geechee, an African American woman who offers to work for minimal wages. Although the grove struggles at first, its condition improves after Geechee and Baskin help clear the irrigation system. A young couple settles on her land; despite their refusal of her support, Rawlings persists in her writing.

Geechee’s husband returns from prison; Rawlings offers him employment, but he refuses. After a confrontation with Rawlings regarding their friendship, Geechee decides against leaving with him and remains. Rawlings submits a gothic romance novel to editor Maxwell Perkins, who rejects it but suggests she focus on stories about local inhabitants instead. She then writes “Jacob’s Ladder,” inspired by the young couple’s experiences.

On Ellie’s 14th birthday, Flag escapes once more and is shot by Marsh after damaging crops. Marsh descends into alcoholism and is fatally shot by the sheriff during a confrontation involving a shotgun. These incidents inspire Rawlings’s work on The Yearling. At Marsh’s funeral, Ellie accuses Rawlings of causing his death and demands she leave. Devastated, Rawlings isolates herself on the water before returning to reconcile with Geechee.

Together, they combat an autumn frost threatening the grove; neighbors including Ellie come to assist. Ellie offers an apology, leading to renewed friendship. Perkins accepts “Jacob’s Ladder” for publication. Baskin proposes marriage; after initial hesitation due to her desire for independence, Rawlings agrees, strengthening her bond with Cross Creek.

Production

In 1928, Rawlings transitioned from ten years in journalism to focus on novel writing in Cross Creek. She earned the Pulitzer Prize in 1939 for The Yearling.

Her 1942 memoir Cross Creek was acclaimed as an "autobiographical regional study" by the New York Times and achieved bestseller status with sales exceeding 500,000 copies. That same year saw the release of a companion cookbook titled Cross Creek Cookery.

In 1943, social worker Zelma Gaison filed a $100,000 defamation lawsuit against Rawlings concerning Cross Creek. Although initially dismissed, the case proceeded to trial upon appeal. The jury found against Rawlings but awarded only one dollar in damages. This legal dispute contributed to Rawlings’s departure from Cross Creek; she passed away in 1953.

Development

Producer Robert Radnitz secured film rights attracted by the book's vivid sense of place and Rawlings's bold life transformation.

In 1978, Radnitz intended to produce an NBC television movie adaptation that ultimately was not realized. He then pursued a theatrical release with a screenplay by Dalene Young; however, major studios rejected it unless a prominent star such as Jane Fonda or Meryl Streep was attached.

Eventually, Radnitz enlisted director Martin Ritt—recognized for Southern-themed films like Sounder—and obtained funding from EMI Films. Ritt observed that the South's rich and turbulent history aligned well with the story’s themes of transformation.

Casting

In 1982, Mary Steenburgen was selected for the leading role, while her spouse Malcolm McDowell was cast as editor Max Perkins. Director Martin Ritt chose Steenburgen due to her relatable nature and commanding presence, having admired her performance in Melvin and Howard.

The character inspired by Jody was altered from male to female after witnessing Dana Hill's acting in Shoot the Moon. Radnitz suggested Rip Torn for the part of the rustic hunter Marsh Turner, and Alfre Woodard impressed the casting team with a compelling audition. Woodard stressed that her role was depicted with nuance and sincerity, accurately reflecting the period’s social realities without bias.

Shooting

The filming took place in Ocala, Florida, close to the former residence of Marjorie Rawlings, now preserved as a state museum. The production encountered environmental obstacles such as mosquitoes, snakes, alligators, and frequent rain. Radnitz remarked that the location almost functioned as an additional character in the story.

Rawlings’s husband, Norton Baskin—played by Peter Coyote—visited the set and appeared briefly on screen. Baskin admired Coyote’s strong presence despite their differing appearances. Steenburgen noted Baskin’s grounded perspective on Rawlings helped her avoid portraying the author’s strength and femininity in a simplistic manner.

Steenburgen described the project as delving into the internal conflicts involved in writing, aiming to portray Rawlings’s dedication without exaggeration. Ritt clarified that the film emphasizes the community and environment that motivated Rawlings rather than focusing solely on dramatizing artistic creation. Steenburgen commended Torn for bringing spontaneity and authenticity to their shared scenes, adding energy to their interactions.

Differences from real life

Certain elements of Rawlings’ biography were fictionalized in the film:

• Instead of leaving her first husband to write alone, she and he spent four years cultivating oranges in Florida before their separation.
• Baskin did not encounter Rawlings due to a car breakdown nor did he repair it.
• The depiction of her maid differs greatly from reality.

While Baskin is only briefly referenced in Rawlings’s book, he takes on a more prominent role in the movie.

Box office

Director Martin Ritt predicted difficulties attracting mainstream viewers, noting limited appeal for films centered on artistic struggles. Consequently, the movie did not achieve strong financial results.

Critical reception

Rotten Tomatoes assigns the film a 61% approval rating based on 18 critic reviews.

Accolades

Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result
Academy Awards	Best Supporting Actor	Rip Torn	Template:Nom
	Best Supporting Actress	Alfre Woodard	Template:Nom
	Best Costume Design	Joe I. Tompkins	Template:Nom
	Best Original Score	Leonard Rosenman	Template:Nom
Cannes Film Festival	Palme d'Or	Martin Ritt	Template:Nom
NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture	Alfre Woodard	Template:Won
National Board of Review Awards	Top Ten Films		Template:Draw
Young Artist Awards	Best Family Feature Motion Picture		Template:Nom
	Best Young Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture	Dana Hill	Template:Nom