The Dollmaker

Play trailer

The Dollmaker

1984

2h 30m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

Tomatometer

2 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

During World War II, hard-luck farmer Colvis Nevels (Levon Helm) leaves his rural Kentucky home to take a factory job in bustling Detroit. Reluctantly accompanying Colvis is his long-suffering wife, Gertie (Jane Fonda), a talented woodcarver set in her traditional ways. When the perils of city life and Colvis' reckless squandering of money send the Nevels into precarious financial straits, Gertie starts a business making hand-carved dolls in order to provide for her family.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Jane Fonda made her TV debut in this stirring story of an uneducated Kentucky woman and mother of five who struggles to make ends meet.

Rated: B

Jan 8, 2011

Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality & Practice

Offers viewers an opportunity to clarify their own definition of "the good life," and to discuss some of the challenges of individualism.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 18, 2004

Full Review

Read all reviews

jim c

I really enjoyed the movie. But I also like the music. At 55.50 minutes into the movie a song starts by the Iron mountain string band. I don't know the name of this song and I was wondering if anybody could help. I'll give you the first few words at the beginning of the Stars maybe this will help anybody that might know what's the name of the song is. "Daniel was my favorite horse I loved him like a brother"

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

Full Review

Alexandra H

I found this a fascinating depiction of life for a family which moved from rural Appalachian life to Detroit during World War II. Jane Fonda, as always, is extremely watchable.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/06/24

Full Review

Michael F

This movie proves why Jane Fonda has been one of the top leading actresses for so many years. Her performance in "The Dollmaker" is remarkable and unforgettable.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/29/23

Full Review

Gaylord R

One of the finest, tightly wrought films I have ever watched. Jane Fonda is simply superb, an actress of the highest order, capable of expressing the deepest emotions humans are experiencing. This movie is clean, honest, moving, a wonderful snapshot of American life in the 40s.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I worked on this film, Jane Fonda and the whole cast were wonderful. One of the highlights of my 35 year film and TV career.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A family in Kentucky during the second World War decides to move to Detroit, where the husband has a job working in one of the plants there. Of course, they know nothng about city life and try to adjust to it. ALong the way, some hard things come in the way, but I really loved the way Fonda and her costar interacted with each other. Very good film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Daniel Petrie

Director

Jane Fonda

Gertie Nevels

Levon Helm

Clovis

Geraldine Page

Mrs. Kendrick

Amanda Plummer

Mamie

Susan Kingsley

Sophronie

View more photos

Synopsis

During World War II, hard-luck farmer Colvis Nevels (Levon Helm) leaves his rural Kentucky home to take a factory job in bustling Detroit. Reluctantly accompanying Colvis is his long-suffering wife, Gertie (Jane Fonda), a talented woodcarver set in her traditional ways. When the perils of city life and Colvis' reckless squandering of money send the Nevels into precarious financial straits, Gertie starts a business making hand-carved dolls in order to provide for her family.

Director: Daniel Petrie
Producer: Bill Finnegan
Screenwriter: Susan Cooper, Hume Cronyn
Production Co: IPC Films, Finnegan Productions
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (TV): May 13, 1984
Runtime: 2h 30m

Most Popular at Home Now