Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story

Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story

Company type	Television film / Miniseries
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	1987 (1987)
Headquarters	United States
Key people	Farrah Fawcett (lead actress), Charles Jarrott (director), Dennis Turner (screenplay), Nick Gillott (producer), Richard Rodney Bennett (music composer)
Products	Television biographical drama film/miniseries

Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story is a 1987 American television biographical drama featuring Farrah Fawcett in the lead role. The production depicts the life of Barbara Hutton, heiress to the Woolworth fortune, emphasizing her immense wealth alongside her turbulent personal experiences, including seven marriages. Presented both as a TV movie and miniseries, it earned the Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Television Film, with Fawcett securing her fifth nomination for Best Actress in that category. This narrative is based on C. David Heymann's biography titled Poor Little Rich Girl: The Life and Legend of Barbara Hutton.

Plot

The drama recounts the true events surrounding one of the wealthiest women in America, focusing on her inheritance of the Woolworth empire and her complicated interpersonal relationships.

Cast

Historical figures such as Winston Churchill, Adolf Hitler, Queen Elizabeth II, and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother appear through archival footage.

Crew

• Screenplay by: Dennis Turner
• Directed by: Charles Jarrott
• Produced by: Nick Gillott
• Music composed by: Richard Rodney Bennett

Critical response

John J. O'Connor, a film critic and journalist for The New York Times, described Barbara Hutton’s character as reserved and insecure, largely portrayed as a victim, which contrasts with Mr. Heymann’s biography where she is shown as more assertive and daring. Conversely, television critic Jeff Jarvis expressed criticism of Farrah Fawcett’s acting, suggesting it negatively impacted her reputation after previous acclaimed roles.

Awards

• 45th Golden Globe Awards
  • Won: Best Miniseries or Television Film
  • Nominated: Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film (Farrah Fawcett)
• 40th Primetime Emmy Awards
  • Won: Outstanding Costume Design
  • Won: Outstanding Hairstyling
  • Won: Outstanding Makeup

Release

Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story was initially broadcast on NBC on November 16, 1987. It subsequently became available on DVD via A+E Networks Home Entertainment on December 16, 2008.