Christy Comp Series

This gentle and heartfelt drama was wholesome and substantive television for families. Based on the cherished book by Catherine Marshall detailing her mother's time in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains in 1912, it is the story of a young and exuberant city girl who comes to teach in poverty-striken Cutter Gap and the manner in which it changed her life forever.

The book was warm and wonderful and those like myself who loved it had doubts that the essence of it could truly be captured for television. It was a pleasant surprise when those doubts were proven to have no validity. It was faithful in conveying both the feelings and the atmosphere of the book and, for many, including myself, Kellie Martin will always be Christy Huddelston. Her wide-eyed and hopeful performance was perfect, and Tyne Daly added emotional depth as Miss Alice, the Quaker woman who had seen heartache before yet found the strength to carry on.

The wonderful Tess Harper portrayed the sensible and delicate Fairlight Spencer, who offered Christy the most cherished gift of those great mountains; her friendship. There was a wholesome and romantic glow to this series as the hardships these people experienced in their lives every day and the sometimes illegal means they used to survive came into conflict with the teachings of the young Minister, David (Randall Batinkoff), who is smitten with Christy.

But the older doctor who understood the people of Cutter Gap better may be the one Christy would find love with if she could hold on to the joy that brought her there. Stewart Finlay-McLennan had a nice turn as Doc Neil, who had some feelings of his own for young Christy. But it was the children and their teacher who took center stage as Christy faced opposition which kept some of the children away. None of them had shoes and sometimes very little to eat, but nearly all of them had a thirst for knowledge.

Her greatest challenge was a little girl who did not speak and an older boy whose father was the worst of the moonshiners. He acted like a bully because it was what he had been taught. But when Christy caught him reading David Copperfield and talking angrily about making something of himself from nothing in the pilot film, she knew there was hope. The attempted destruction of the schoolhouse brought everything to a boiling point at the beginning, and Christy had to decide once and for all whether to stay or leave forever.

The greens and blues of the beautiful Smoky Mountains were romantically photographed by Mike Fash in director Michael Rhodes' warmhearted remembrance of this young and pretty teacher who came to Cutter Gap and made a difference. Kellie Martin's voice-over added warmth and understanding to Christy's emotional journey into a place she would come to call home.

Patricia Green co-produced and wrote the teleplay for the original film, and the affection she and everyone involved with the project had for Catherine Marshall's book cames across in every frame, in every episode.

This series could break your heart one moment and uplift your spirits the next. It maintained a high standard of quality. Christy was a warm and sometimes poignant examination of a yong woman's personal journey of faith. It was, as the saying goes, "too good" for television, but remained on the air long enough to leave its mark.

It also was a great role for Kellie Martin, of "Life Goes On" fame. While she has found another good role as of late in a series of films as Samantha Kinsey, mystery lover and owner of a mystery book store, "Christy" will probably always be the role she will be most identified with. Fans have been waiting a long time for this one and it's a pleasant surprise to see it is finally being released. A must have for those who enjoy the best television has to offer.

How I loved this series when it was being aired on TV ! I'm so glad it is finally being put on dvd (and the whole series to boot!) --- It's just too bad that they never finished the series completely, but instead just left us hanging in the last episode as to whom Christy would choose as her husband .... I know they followed up this story with some tv-movies later on with different characters, but it would have been great to see it finished with the original cast -- However, this is a great family show, well worth watching ! Buy it -- you won't be sorry !

Having greatly enjoyed the novel by Catherine Marshall, I had decided to give the tv series a try as well...

Many times, I've been disappointed; tv shows or movies based upon books often cut out significant parts or change things around, creating a completely different impression from the original work. However, this wasn't the case with the "Christy" series! First and foremost, Kellie Martin and Tyne Daly were perfectly cast in the roles of 19-year-old schoolteacher Christy Huddleston and Quaker missionary Alice Henderson. Secondly, the show generally kept true with the storylines and descriptions first brought to life in Marshall's classic novel, making it easy for fans to make the transition to the show.

If you aren't familiar with the story, the general premise involves the title character, a recent transplant from a wealthy North Carolina family, who has just arrived in the poor but proud community of Cutter Gap, Tennessee, in 1912 to teach school. It's Christy's first time on her own, and her eyes are certainly opened as she experiences the effects of ignorance, poverty and disease. As she struggles to convert the residents to her beliefs, they also teach Christy a little about faith, nature, love and other life essentials.

Often seen with Christy are David Grantland, a young minister who is desperate to win her heart; and Neil MacNeil, a native doctor who equally intrigues and infuriates the stubborn, idealistic schoolteacher.

My only complaint is that the series was so short-lived! In my mind, we could certainly use a show like "Christy" on the air. Who wants some vapid "reality" show when you can get a glimpse of life during an intriguing period of American history? Not me!

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