Encore of Dolly Parton film to air Christmas Day - production has several Mississippi connections
By M. Scott Morris
Daily Journal
It turns out Americans like it when Hollywood enlists Mississippians to tell a Tennessee story.
In early December, NBC aired “Dolly’s Parton’s Coat of Many Colors,” a made-for-TV movie about the singer when she was 9 years old.
According to the Nielsen ratings, the movie drew some 13 million viewers that night, followed by another 2.5 million over the next three days from digital video recorders.
Oxford resident Sam Haskell, the movie’s executive producer, said it was the highest-rated network TV movie in more than five years.
“I am so proud,” he said. “Because of public interest and requests, NBC is presenting an encore presentation.”
The next showing will be at 8 p.m. Christmas Day on NBC stations.
Parton provides the Tennessee connection, but Haskell isn’t the only Mississippian to take part in the production. Hudson Hickman of New Albany is a producer, and actor Gerald McRaney, a native of Collins, portrays Dolly’s grandfather.
Haskell’s daughter, Mary Lane Haskell, grew up in Los Angeles, but she attended the Stars Over Mississippi benefits in Amory over the years. She plays Miss Moody, a teacher who has a big impact on Dolly’s young life.
Alyvia Alyn Lind was tapped to play Dolly, and her parents are portrayed by Jennifer Nettles and Ricky Schroder.
“The story of this movie is the stuff blessings and miracles are made of,” Haskell said.
scott.morris@journalinc.comTwitter: @mscottmorris